LANDSCAPING TIPS brought to you by the Arizona Landscape Contractors’ Association, the Sustainable Landscape Management (SLM) and the Arizona Certified Landscape Professional (ACLP) programs www.ALCA.org

Ryegrass Mowing Tips

Most overseeding for the season is done and new stands of ryegrass are coming up strong. From the first cut through the entire cool season, here are some tips for mowing your ryegrass to keep it the beautiful, bright green and lush carpet of turf that you expect.
 

• Ryegrass growth is from tillers unlike bermudagrass that grows from rhizomes and stolons. Regular mowing will promote tillering (establishment of new leaves).
• When ryegrass is new it tends to hold a lot of moisture in the leaf and requires at least 24 hours to dry prior to mowing or you will create ruts in your new lawn.
• Turn irrigation off for 24 hours prior to mowing and preferably mow in the afternoon when the grass is completely dry.
• Sharpen your mower blade, reels, and bed knife prior to first mow.
• Check lawn often for leaf tearing or yellow grass blades caused by dull mower blades.
• Sharp mower blades prevent leaf tearing which can make the grass susceptible to disease.
• Mow your new ryegrass around the 14-day mark when it reaches a height of 2”.
• Set mower height between 1.5” to 2” and gradually lower mowing height until you reach the desired height between ¾”-1 ¼”.
• Ryegrass can grow clumpy if not mowed frequently so it is best to mow every 5-7 days.
• Mow a different direction each time to reduce clumps in the grass and provide a clean cut.

• Never mow more than 1/3^rd of the leaf blade in any one cutting.
• Bag or mulch your lawn depending on your preference and mower.

Thank you to Jay Danek of West Coast Turf for these tips.