NALP Cool Season Turfgrasses CH5
(Other cultural practices, mowing, thatch
management, aeration, irrigation)
What factors must be considered when determining the height at which turfgrass should
be mowed? - answer Location of the crown, leaf orientation, environmental conditions,
and Leaf orientation.
What mowing habits should be used when the turf is under stress? - answer Mowing
should be done at the optimal height or slightly above.
When mowing, can you set a regular schedule (weekly or biweekly) and expect it to
work well all year long? Why or why not? - answer No, the mowing schedule should be
adjusted to fit the growth rate of the grass. When the grass is growing more, the grass
needs cut more often in order to not remove too much of the leaf blade at one time.
How can infrequent mowing cause lawn disease? - answer It can produce excess lawn
clippings that can smother the grass and cause damp, decaying conditions that
encourage disease growth
What is the 1/3 mowing rule? Why is it important? - answerYou should never cut off
more than 1/3 of the grass blade. Cutting off more than 1/3 of the blade can cause the
plant to go into shock and weaken or kill the turf
What are the two types of mowers? - answerReel mower and rotary mower
How does a reel mower work? What conditions is a reel mower usually used for? Is
maintenance easy? - answerA series of blades mounted on a cylinder that rotates.
When in motion, the blades force grass leaves against the stationary bedknife where
they are cut in a scissor-like fashion.
Normally used for high maintenance lawns with low to medium (2 inches or less)
mowing heights.
Maintenance is not easy, blades need to be sharpened often and bedknife needs to be
smoothed out regularly.
How does a rotary mower work? What conditions is a rotary mower usually used for? Is
maintenance easy? - answerConsists of a horizontal blade mounted on a vertical shaft.
When it turns, the blade cuts off any plant tissue it contacts.
, Used for a turf with medium to high cut (2-3 and up inches).
Easily maintained, blades need sharpened annually.
What is one drawback of rotary mowers? - answerThey can deposit clumps of clippings
in rows when forced through the discharge chute. This can sit on the grass and
weaken/kill the turf. Clumps should be manually removed or by using a mower that
collects the blade clippings in a bag.
What should you be carful about when handling a rotary mower? - answerBe careful
with hands and feet, small objects that can become projectiles, and other people/pets in
the area.
When mowing, should you make large sweeping turns or rapid, small turns? -
answerLarge, sweeping turns. This reduces tearing and burins of turf.
How should you mow on steep hills? - answerUse a wide mower with a low center of
gravity and mow across the hill, not up and down. Also avoid mowing when wet to avoid
slipping.
What is thatch? - answerA loose, intermingled organic layer of dead and living shoots,
stems, and roots that developed between the zone of green vegetation and the soil
surface. Turf produces organic debris faster than it can be broken down.
Do leaf clippings contribute to thatch? - answerNo, they may be present but they do not
contribute to the thatch layer because that are easily broken down
What compound makes up about 25% of thatch? What are the other two main
components of thatch? - answerLignin - 25%
cellulose and hemicellulose
Does lignin break down easily? - answerNo, it is resistant to decay by microorganism.
But cellulose and hemicellulose decompose more easily.
What are the benefits of thatch? - answerA thin layer of thatch provides insulation
against temperature extremes and fluctuation in soil moisture. Thatch on sports turf can
provide resiliency, soften players impact o the surface, and improve footing.
What are the problems related to heavy thatch? - answerThatch can heat up and dry
quickly, roots that grow roots in patch are vulnerable to desiccation. Scalping turf
because mower wheels sink into thatch can be another problem, it can also increase
pest problems and can stop pesticides and herbicides from reaching the soil
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