MOWING the lawn can be time-consuming, and it can often feel like it’s one of those jobs that seems to constantly need doing.
But there are ways to combat a quick-growing green, in order to save yourself some time and energy, while still maintaining a healthy lawn.
Sutton Manor Nursery William Mitchel says: “A healthy lawn is crucial, especially in the fast-approaching summer months.
“Your lawn truly is the focal point of your garden and therefore keeping it healthy and looking good is vital.”
Here, William and Tom Hilton – director of hydroponic specialists, National Greenhouse – share their top tips that will keep your lawn lovely and luscious, without having to constantly get the lawn mower out…
If you’re puzzled by your lawn transforming into a mini jungle at warp speed, you’re not alone. I’ve seen many homeowners caught off guard when their grass growth shifts into overdrive. From my experience nurturing lush, green lawns, this rapid growth usually boils down to a few key factors.
In this article, we’ll explore the main reasons behind fast grass growth and simple, effective ways to get your lawn back under control.
Key Causes of Fast Grass Growth
A healthy lawn requires a careful balance of sunlight water and fertilization. But when that equilibrium tips, the grass can outpace your mowing schedule. Here are the most common culprits behind breakneck lawn growth
Overwatering
Too much moisture turbocharges growth. After heavy rainfalls or overzealous sprinkling the saturated grass soaks up the excess water and uses it to expand rapidly.
High-Nitrogen Fertilizer
While fertilizer provides vital nutrients, excessive nitrogen levels in fertilizers can spur blades to sprout too quickly. This forces you to mow more frequently.
Grass Type
Some varieties like Bermuda grass are genetically predisposed to fast, vigorous growth Cool-season grasses like fescue grow at a more controlled pace
Inadequate Mowing
Cutting the grass too short or infrequently can stress it. The grass then accelerates growth to compensate, requiring even more mowing.
Smart Ways to Slow Down Lawn Growth
Fortunately, you can rein in your unruly lawn with some simple adjustments:
Water Deeply and Less Frequently
Watering lightly every day builds fast growth. Instead, water deeply just 1-2 times a week. This encourages deeper roots and slower growth above ground.
Use a Balanced, Slow-Release Fertilizer
Look for equal N-P-K ratios and slow-release nitrogen. This provides a steady diet rather than a growth spurt-inducing feast.
Raise the Mowing Height
It seems counterintuitive, but letting grass grow taller puts less pressure on it to expand. Stick to the 1/3 rule: never cut off more than one-third of the blade.
Introduce Low-Growing Grass Varieties
Consider overseeding stubborn spots with hardy, slower growing strains like fine fescue that only reach 3-4 inches max.
Add Strategic Shade
Some ornamental trees can provide just enough dappled shade to temper growth without harming the grass.
Adjust Spring Overseeding
Overseed in fall instead of spring to avoid boosting growth just before summer’s peak growing season.
The Impact of Slowing Down Lawn Growth
Decelerating your lawn’s growth rate through careful watering, mowing, and fertilizing won’t harm it. But taking extreme measures like eliminating water or nutrients altogether stresses the grass.
The key is moderation. With small, incremental changes to find the right balance for your climate and grass type, you can maintain a lush, healthy lawn that stays neatly maintained with less sweat and gasoline. Dethatching and aerating periodically also helps grass allocate resources slowly and evenly.
While fast growth means a thriving lawn, an unruly pace can be frustrating. But have no fear – a few strategic tweaks can get your grass growing just right. With the reasons and solutions above, you can unravel the secrets behind rapid lawn growth and reclaim your weekends from endless mowing sessions.
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Invited your friends and family over for a barbecue, only to realise the lawn is starting to resemble more of a jungle instead of a Wimbledon-worthy green?
We’ve all been there, but you don’t need to panic – there are ways you can make it look instantly neater with minimum effort.
William says: “If you have not got the time to mow your lawn then a strimmer could be the answer to all your problems.
“Simply strimming around the edges of your grass will help to neaten it up and give the illusion of a perfectly mowed lawn.”
Tom adds: “To keep the lawn looking lovely and neat, without jumping straight to the lawnmower, you can also work on your flower beds, and the border.
“Brighten up your garden by planting a variety of flowers and outdoor garden plants to surround the lawn and filter out the soil so it has a healthy base.”
It’s important your grass is hydrated accordingly, but if you’re finding it’s growing at an alarming rate, you could be watering it too much.
Tom says: “You should cut down on watering the lawn as doing this too frequently can accelerate growth, which means more mowing for you to do.
“And when the warmer seasons arrive, by avoiding overwatering and fertilising, you can help the lawn go into a more dormant state during periods of drier weather.”
William agrees, adding: “Watering your grass too often will speed up the growth and therefore need more maintenance to keep looking healthy.”
Short back (yard) and sides
In a similar way to hair, the more you give your grass a trim, the more it will grow – and keeping it slightly longer will mean you don’t have to mow it as often.
GARDEN TIPS
William says: “A good way of slowing down the growth of your grass is by leaving your grass slightly longer when mowing.
“Cutting a smaller amount of grass will cause less trauma to the grass plant, and will therefore mean it does not have to repair itself as quickly.”
Tom adds: “The common lawn-mowing rule is to never cut more than a third off the grass blade.”
My Grass Isnt Growing!? Answers and Solutions
FAQ
How can I stop my grass from growing so fast?
Plant growth regulators (PGRs) are available at any hardware store and can be used to chemically slow the growth rate of your grass up to 50 percent. Ideally, you should look for PGRs labeled as Type I, as these slow plant growth by retarding cell division and are absorbed easily through the plant’s leaves.
How do you slow down grass growth?
A Turf Growth Regulator (TGR) is a product that is applied to lawns to slow the growth of the grass blades. By slowing them down, you can reduce the number of clippings every time you mow. This limits the number of times you need to bag the mowed grass, along with the amount of yard waste produced.
Why does my grass grow fast?
Increased Light Exposure: When grass is cut, it allows more sunlight to reach the lower parts of the plant and the soil. This increased light can enhance photosynthesis, leading to quicker growth.
Does grass grow faster the more you cut it?
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Hormonal Influence:The tips of grass blades contain hormones that prevent the plant from growing horizontally and encourage vertical growth.
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Mowing and Lateral Growth:When you mow, you remove these hormones, which can stimulate lateral growth (spreading) and thickening of the grass.
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Energy Redirection:Frequent mowing also encourages the grass to put its energy into root and new shoot development, rather than just growing taller.
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Thicker, Denser Lawn:By promoting lateral growth and root development, frequent mowing contributes to a thicker, denser, and healthier lawn.
Why does grass grow so fast?
As mentioned above, grass is a plant that wants to grow and spread. It is genetically programmed to do everything it can to survive. If it is mown too short and too often, but not short enough to cause harm, it may grow faster in response.
Why is my grass growing so slow?
This could be a slightly higher or lower pH, a competing grass type, or water regulation. Further, you may be providing your grass with what it ‘wants’ but far more than what it needs. For example, withholding fertilizer and only mulching it with grass clippings and leaves will slow down its growth without causing any true deficiencies.
How to stop grass from growing fast?
Stopping grass from growing fast can be achieved through any of the means shared above. However, one of the most reliable ways of ensuring that the grass does not grow fast is by planting slow-growing grass. Using artificial turf grass ensures that you don’t have to ever worry about learning how to stop grass from growing fast.
How can I make my lawn grow faster?
To make your lawn grow faster, mow the lawn less frequently. Mowing actually encourages new growth, as the grass is under constant pressure to add more leaf area. Raise the height of your mower blades to the top of the recommended height for your grass variety, setting the blades higher than usual. This will reduce the grass’s need to grow quickly.
Why does grass grow if it rains a lot?
As a plant, grass wants to grow and spread. A sudden rain gives it many of the materials to do this. However, regular watering can also spur grass growth, even if it’s only a little at a time. As mentioned above, grass is a plant that wants to grow and spread. It is genetically programmed to do everything it can to survive.
How does rain affect grass growth?
After a heavy rain, for example, the grass will absorb as much water as it can and use this to grow rapidly. As a plant, grass wants to grow and spread. A sudden rain gives it many of the materials to do this. However, regular watering can also spur grass growth, even if it’s only a little at a time.