HOA Lawn Care: ArtisTree Explains the Art of Mowing

Now that April is here, most ArtisTree communities are transitioning from biweekly to weekly mow schedules pending their contract specifications. Why is frequency of mowing so important for HOA lawn care in our area?

Here we grow again.

First of all, it’s growing season. Your turfgrass is going to grow faster, so more frequent mowing will increase its density. A tighter lawn helps resist weeds. Most of ArtisTree’s contracts consist of 40 mowing/edging cycles throughout the year. From October 1 to March 31, we typically mow/edge every other week. Finally, from April 1 to September 31, mowing/edging is completed every week. Check your contract for your community’s specifications.

When it comes to HOA lawns, don’t be afraid of heights.

Let’s talk about the highs and lows of a good mow. Most HOA lawn care professionals (including us) advise against cutting more than one-third of the grass leaf at a time. So we’ll keep your St. Augustine grass at 3.5-4.0 inches high throughout the summer (Bahia at 3 to 3.5 inches). This way your lawn will require less water, be more weed-resistant and have a deeper, greener color. It’s important to always leave as much leaf surface as possible so photosynthesis can occur.

Some sharp words about mowing.

ArtisTree sharpens our mower blades on a daily basis to prevent tearing grass blades. Yes, every mower every day. A crisp, clean cut helps prevent a “brown tip” appearance and makes your grass less vulnerable to turf diseases. What about the grass clippings? They’ll slowly break down on their own and even reduce your fertilizer needs (decomposing clippings add nutrients to your lawn). As long as we mow on a regular basis, grass clippings won’t contribute to thatch build-up.

Stay a cut above.

Tired of your landscape company cutting corners? Contact Michael Casper at 941.488.8897, ext. 321 for a full-service landscape maintenance proposal. ArtisTree proudly serves Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties.

Dream it, do it!

Ready for a landscape renovation? Contact Jenni Lassen at 941.488.8897, ext. 312, to schedule a meeting with one of our award-winning landscape designers. Let’s get your dream landscape off the ground.

Category Landscape Maintenance, News