First mow of bermuda lawn? When and what height?

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

Seeded a Bermuda lawn 17 days ago. It has come in pretty well and in some spots is 3 inches. Some spots are still pretty bare.

I have seen it mentioned on these boards that mowing Bermuda will encourage it to grow sideways and fill in the bare spots.

Should I cut the 3 inch spots soon? If so, at what height would you recommend? And should I leave clippings or remove them? I have a Fiskars Reel mower.

Watering 3 times a day at the moment. Will start reducing that soon.

Thanks for any responses.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

reeljake
6 years ago
Bag the clippings & don't scalp too low the first year
Dingo thanked reeljake
jonathan_bradley_1981
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Cut so that you don't mow all the green out. I would not bag the clippings, they are a natural source of nitrogen. You might suck up some of your seeds and/or growing medium (mulch/peat moss/etc) as well.

Use the 1/3 rule. So for example: if you have 3" grass you can cut 1" off. So you don't mow very often to keep the lawn maintained. If you want really thick Bermuda you want to cut it as close to 1" as possible WITHOUT scalping or mowing out the green. Downside, or upside in my case, is that you have to mow really often because you can only cut 1/3" off of 1" grass. So you can plan on mowing about every 3-4 days. Bermuda loves a close cut IF you can get your ground level. Where most people screw up is mowing too low and putting circles in their otherwise beautiful Bermuda lawns. Mowing out all the green mows out all the energy the grass has stored. I use a Tru-cut 27" and mow at about 1.25". It feels like I'm running a snow blower if I don't cut at least every 4th day. So many little green clippings spewing forward. Sweet satisfaction though! If you can afford it, get you a reel mower. And a gas one (Tru-Cut, Mclane, etc) with a roller bar on the front. They regularly go on craigslist or from a dealer (used) for about $500-$600. You can sharpen yourself with a little youtube research. You'll be able to keep it really really low and make your lawn look like a fairway, stripes and all. All your neighbors will be envious too!
Dingo thanked jonathan_bradley_1981
Related Discussions
Bermuda Mowing Cut height method
Q
Comments (4)
Bermuda turns brown after a mowing because it was allowed to get too tall and then too much was removed exposing the stems. Once Bermuda gets so tall, over 2" or so, The underbelly so to speak turns stemmy and brown from the shade. To avoid this mow more frequently to keep it short allowing sunlight to reach all parts of the Bermuda. The presence of chlorophyll is dependent on sunlight. If it has already been allowed to get too tall, there is really nothing you can do to get it shorter unless you are willing to put up with a substantially brown yard until it regrows.
...See More
When and how to mow newly seeded Bermuda
Q
Comments (1)
You mow as soon as it needs to be mowed. 1-inch will be fine as that is probable as low as your mower will go unless it is a reel type.
...See More
First time Homeowner seeking lawn advice (Bermuda)
Q
Comments (2)
Depends on what type of Bermuda you are looking for. You can sod hybrid Bermuda which is a better variety than common. There are some improved varieties of common Bermuda seed that you can use as well. Do you have any Bermuda in the yard already? If so, do not overseed as it is probably a sodded hybrid Bermuda. Proper care can help the Bermuda fill-in. Google the Bermuda bible if so and it will help you 10-fold. If you choose to seed, first you will either need to scalp or use round-up to kill the existing grass. Do you have any leveling issues? This would be a good time to take care of those if so. When you do seed the Bermuda, all you need is a little bit to germinate and it will spread like wild fire if properly cared for. After seeding, make sure you water enough to keep the soil moist, but not saturated. It will vary with irrigation systems, but I personally watered 4 times a day for 3-5 min. depending on the area of the yard and how it held moisture. You will have time monitor it for a few days to see how well each area of your yard retains moisture. Sod is definitely the easier/better way to go, but if your budget doesn't allow, seeding is a decent option imo. Just be ware that you will still have to deal with weeds and baby the grass until it thickens up. Hope that helps as a start...I can answer more questions if you have any.
...See More
What is this on my lawn I noticed it when mowing today :x
Q
Comments (22)
Is this KBG grass? No need to do anything if so as it spreads quickly. Otherwise maybe wait till fall to spot seed as needed. Could just be some stray animal pee. Your photos, while great in the shade, are still a good 12" too far away. You need to get maybe 4" away from the blades at the edge of the brown spot. Having said that, I copied and enlarged your image. I see some yellowing from the tip down about a half inch on several of the blades at the border, but nothing like pics of fungus I've seen online (please be aware I don't know much about fungus ID). Most of the grass just beyond the edge of the brown patch looks very healthy with no sign of fungus as much as my untrained eye from too far away can tell, so maybe it is an isolated incident. I would just keep an eye on it, but you seriously need to do something about your watering schedule.
...See More
Dingo
Original Author
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Thank you both for the responses and advice. Much appreciated. Just to clarify, it is ok to mow the higher growth areas now or this weekend? ie about 20 days after seeding? Just want to make sure I'm not going to screw anything up by mowing too early?

Thanks.
jonathan_bradley_1981
6 years ago
Use the reel mower and mow at 2" in the overgrown areas. Don't mow when the ground is wet. Don't make more than one pass. Overlap your passes 1/2 the way so you are cutting the grass in both directions with each pass.
Dingo thanked jonathan_bradley_1981
Dingo
Original Author
6 years ago
Got it. I will reduce watering before mowing so the ground is a little firmer. Thank you for the advice, really appreciate it!

Related Stories

YOUR FIRST HOUSE 10 Things to Consider When Renovating a Condo

By Toronto Interior Design Group

Take these steps to ensure that your project runs smoothly and you get the most for your money

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES 8 Sustainable, Organic Practices for Greener Lawn Care

By Lauren Dunec Hoang

Ditch the pesticides and fertilizers and adopt eco-friendly practices that will keep your lawn lush and healthy

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES 5 Great Grasses for a New Lawn

By J. Peterson Garden Design

Learn about maintenance, wear tolerance, ideal climate and more for these top turf choices to pick the right one for you

Full Story

FRONT YARD IDEAS Before and After: Front Lawn to Prairie Garden

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

How they did it: Homeowners create a plan, stick to it and keep the neighbors (and wildlife) in mind

Full Story

120

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Get Along With Less Lawn — Ideas to Save Water and Effort

By Jocelyn H. Chilvers

Ditch the mower and lower your water bill while creating a feast for the eyes with diverse plantings and gathering places

Full Story

GROUND COVERS Give Your Lawn a Taste of the Wild

By Frank Organ

Consider the joys of an irregularly trimmed meadow lawn: It’s ecofriendly, visually interesting and still good for romping

Full Story

CURB APPEAL Take Your Hell Strip to Heavenly Heights: 8 Design Ideas

By J. Peterson Garden Design

Trade weedy dirt and trash for a parking strip filled with wispy grasses, low-growing flowers and textural trees

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES How to Plant a New Lawn From Seed

By J. Peterson Garden Design

Choose from more grass varieties and save money over sod by starting your lawn from seed

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES How to Fix Bare and Yellow Lawn Spots

By Christine Tusher

Restore your turf’s good looks by reseeding unsightly patches

Full Story

LANDSCAPE DESIGN A Guide to the Grasses Available for Nontraditional Lawns

By Falon Mihalic

New grass mixes are formulated to require less water and less fertilizer

Full Story

First mow of bermuda lawn? When and what height?

Comments (5)

reeljake

jonathan_bradley_1981

Related Discussions

Dingo
Original Author

jonathan_bradley_1981

Dingo
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

First mow of bermuda lawn? When and what height?

Comments (5)

reeljake

jonathan_bradley_1981

Related Discussions

DingoOriginal Author

jonathan_bradley_1981

DingoOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Dingo
Original Author

Dingo
Original Author