Proper Mowing Might Be the Most Underrated Lawn Care Practice

Mowing seems simple, but it has a much bigger impact on lawn health than most people realize. Cutting grass too short — sometimes called scalping — stresses the plant, weakens the root system, and allows weeds to move in easier. It can actually make lawns thinner over time, even if they look tidy right after mowing.

Keeping grass a bit taller helps shade the soil surface, which reduces moisture loss and keeps soil temperatures cooler during hot Saskatchewan summers. Taller grass also supports deeper root growth, which improves drought tolerance and overall lawn strength.

Mowing frequency matters too. Removing only a small portion of the grass blade at a time is far less stressful than cutting it back heavily all at once. Lawns respond better when mowing is consistent, even if that means mowing slightly more often during peak growing periods.

Leaving grass clippings on the lawn is another simple but important practice. Clippings break down quickly and return nutrients back into the soil, acting like a light, natural fertilizer. It’s an easy way to recycle nutrients without extra products.

Custom Lawn Care builds lawn programs around proven mowing and turf science practices, because mowing directly affects how well your lawn responds to fertilization, weed control, and watering. When mowing is done right, lawns naturally grow thicker and crowd out weeds on their own.

Sometimes the most overlooked step is the one that makes the biggest long-term difference.