Lawns turning brown after cutting

[130perweek]

These lawns are a Monday cut....I might be in the area tomorrow (not working, just in the area), so maybe I'll stop by these houses and take a look.

[Whitey4]

Originally Posted by 130perweek

These lawns are a Monday cut....I might be in the area tomorrow (not working, just in the area), so maybe I'll stop by these houses and take a look.

Chris, I agree with Riggs.... the issues we are facing are from fungus problems number one, and excessive top growth due to rain, cutting down to stems. These two things together are making freshly cut lawns look bad... they look better 2 days later after the new top growth hides the damage.

I raised my decks from 3 to 3 1/2 inches, which has helped, but the cut does not look as neat and clean. I think I prefer some stringers over brown...

And did you read my last post?

[White Gardens]

Originally Posted by Whitey4

As a fellow LI'er, I can tell you two things are happening here. Well, maybe 3 things.

If you are cutting weekly, even with all this rain, taking off 4 inches is way too much. These lawns have too much nitrogen. I am also cutting at 3 1/2 inches now.... for two reasons. (I usually cut at 3 inches). The red thread is just beyond belief. Saw not one lawn with it last year, and EVERY lawn has at least some this spring. I raised my deck to help hide the fungus damage.

Even lawns that have gotten the right amount of nitrogen have crazy top growth. Taking off half the top growth exposes stems, which are brown. You also expose the fungus damage.

The new top growth will hide both the stems and the fungus damage, but it takes a day or three.

Bottom line, this has been a very dufficult spring with excessive rain, top growth and fungus issues.

Exactly, I don't think anyone could have said it any better.

[GracesLandscaping]

Originally Posted by kirk1701

Seeing the same symptoms here in Kentucky. I'm just a homeowner so it was actually good to see I'm not alone (surrounding lawns are worse)



Not growing much, mowing once every two weeks. Thinking about putting down some compost now.

wow your only mowing once every two weeks!?!?!? your only an hour away from me and if i waited two weeks my lawns would need a bush hog.... my lawns are allstill growing like its late april!

[topsites]

90 degree weather will do it, 3.5" is a bit marginal especially if you're cutting off that much, I'd go 3.75"
Be aware come July it slows down even more, for those you've been cutting every 2 weeks start thinking 2-3 weeks.

Now, to a point some is inevitable too, although you're one of the few members I've met who actually appears to concern
yourself with this, most seem to care only about the money, but then this is the real reason why we're in business.

[kirk1701]

Originally Posted by topsites

90 degree weather will do it, 3.5" is a bit marginal especially if you're cutting off that much, I'd go 3.75"
Be aware come July it slows down even more, for those you've been cutting every 2 weeks start thinking 2-3 weeks.

Now, to a point some is inevitable too, although you're one of the few members I've met who actually appears to concern
yourself with this, most seem to care only about the money, but then this is the real reason why we're in business.

We'll actually topsites me just a lonesome homeowner

My lawn is my summertime hobby and learning a bit more every year

and yea, 3.75" was this week and I can still go one more knoch up which I think was 4.02"

New Mower so I'm still getting used to this beast

[Heidi J.]

try sharpening blades more frequently and cut no more than 1/3 of grass blades

[White Gardens]

Originally Posted by Heidi J.

try sharpening blades more frequently and cut no more than 1/3 of grass blades

Where does the cut no more than 1/3 rule come from. I've only heard that for pruning trees and shrubs, never for turf.

I've always been informed to keep cool season grasses between two and three inches for the best results.

[White Gardens]

O.K., did a little reading.

http://www.sustland.umn.edu/maint/mowing.htm

[bighaydenslawn]

Originally Posted by JDiepstra

You should not cut off more than 1/3 of the blade. You are taking off about 2/3. Tell them to water less, and you may need to mow more often.

Yepp, the good ole 1/3 rule.

Can't break it without consequences.