5 Reasons To Double Cut Your Grass
Double cutting a lawn is a process where you mow the lawn once in vertical stripes, then mow over it a second time following a horizontal path that is crosswise to the first. There are a few reasons to use this technique.
1. Overly Long Grass
When the grass has grown too long, such as is often the case following a vacation, removing too much at once can stress it. Instead, remove only a third of the length with the first pass of the mower. Then give the grass one day to rest. The following day, remove up to a third more to bring the lawn to the desired length but mow at a cross path to the direction of mowing the day before.
2. Browning Tips
Brown tips are an issue when the lawn first wakes up from spring dormancy. They can also be a midsummer issue if hot weather or drought leads to some grass dying off. Once the grass begins to recover, you will want to remove the brown to reveal the green below. The problem is the brown tips will sometimes shred instead of being cut through cleanly. Double cutting, once to remove the brown tips and a second time for a cleaner cut can help.
3. Uneven Mow
There are many reasons for an uneven cut, but wet grass and a dull mowing blade are the most likely culprits. If this happens, begin by fixing the issue that leads to the uneven mow. For example, let the lawn dry or sharpen the blade. Then, adjust the blade to the shortest cut setting and mow a second time. The double-cut will clean up the uneven mowing from before.
4. Spring Mulching
One way to encourage healthier lawn growth is to mulch it in spring with a thin layer of fresh grass clippings. This mulching layer of grass helps shade the roots, conserve moisture, and feed nitrogen back into the soil. To mulch without the need for a special mulching mower, simply set the mower blade at half its normal mowing height. Mow twice at cross angles so that the lawn is the desired length but the clippings are cut fine enough to act as mulch.
5. Length Determination
Are you unsure how long to leave your grass? The recommendation is typically a couple of inches long. If you aren't sure whether longer or shorter is better, begin by mowing at a longer length. If this is too long, you can do a double cut to a shorter length afterward.
Contact a lawn mowing service for a professional touch if you have concerns about proper grass care.