The smell of green leaf volatiles and two-stroke engine exhaust permeate the air as an age-old summertime chore commences: mowing.
Mowing isn’t just for aesthetics, or to keep up with the Joneses, however. Mowing has a huge impact on the overall health of your yard. It can even help prevent weed establishment if done in the right way.
In this article, we will examine the benefits of a proper mowing regime, and how you can use mowing as a tool to manage the weeds you may already have on your property.
Healthy stands of grass will help prevent unwanted weeds from showing up. Most grass species are more vigorous and therefore more competitive against weeds when they have some height to them. Three inches is the recommended minimum canopy height for most species to maintain their vigor and prevent weeds. This height shades the soil, preserving moisture and stopping unwanted weed seeds from getting the required sunlight to germinate. It also promotes overall health by allowing the plants to have enough leaf material to properly photosynthesize and promote root development.
Only mowing one-third of grass height at a time is ideal. Chronically over-mowed grass loses its ability to photosynthesize effectively and will not have the energy to recover to its previous vigor, leading to unwanted weed invasion.
Pay attention to the growth rate of your grass so you can anticipate when another mow is needed. All grasses go dormant at some stage during the year: cool-season grasses in the heat of summer, warm-season grasses in the fall and early spring. Wait until the grasses are actively growing again to mow. Mowing dormant grass may end up killing it.
Mowing is an effective control for established annual and biennial weed species that only reproduce by seed.
The timing of it is critical, however. Mowing too soon will result in the weeds resprouting at a lower height, breeding a crop of pygmy weeds that will evade your mower deck height. Waiting until the plants are just starting to flower is ideal. This ensures that the plants have used enough energy and nutrients for growth so that they will not have energy left to grow after being mowed. Mowing after flowers are fully opened runs the risk of turning your mower into a seed dispersal machine, so pulling them at this point is a better option.
For perennial species that don’t just reproduce by seed, but also through creeping underground rhizomes, mowing isn’t as effective.
Mowing them several times through a growing season will still stress them and can slow their spread down significantly, but will not result in eradicating the population. A more integrated approach is needed to eliminate these stubborn species. Mowing combined with well-timed herbicide applications and seeding of desirable plants will choke out unwanted perennial weeds from your property.
While mowing can be helpful, one cannot just rely solely on it to deal with their weeds. An integrated approach is always going to be more effective. Good land management practices go a long way, too. Improving soil health by dealing with compaction problems, addressing nutritional deficiencies and avoiding disturbances helps prevent weed establishment.
Biodiversity is also supremely important in our landscapes — both natural and manicured. While sentiment is slowly changing from the idea of our homes being surrounded by plant monocultures, there is still more that could be done to promote biodiverse landscapes in our towns and neighborhoods. Having a varied selection of native grasses, forbs, shrubs and trees in your landscape will not only prevent weeds, but improve habitat for wildlife and pollinators, also.
Bioblitz Saturday
Archuleta County’s inaugural Bioblitz is this Saturday, June 20, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Join the fun and learn about the flora and fauna found in our local ecosystem.
A bioblitz is a fun and relaxed community science event where experts, community members and volunteers work together to document and record the biodiversity of an area.
This year, participants will explore the natural areas near downtown Pagosa Springs along the San Juan Riverwalk and Reservoir Hill while collecting valuable ecological information.
This is a fantastic opportunity to connect with nature and appreciate the vibrant life that thrives in this ecosystem. No prior experience is necessary, just bring your curiosity and enthusiasm for nature.
Registration is $25 per adult and $10 per student/child and includes dinner, T-shirt and a fun day of learning.
To learn more and to register, visit https://secure.rec1.com/CO/pagosa-springs-co/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTQyNjMyMzY= or email Cindi Galabota at cindi.galabota@colostate.edu.
Volunteer for the Archuleta County Fair
Be a part of preserving the rich heritage and timeless tradition of the Archuleta County Fair and help plan the 75th anniversary Fair in 2026.
You’ll contribute to an annual tradition that brings our community together, supports local agriculture and creates lasting memories for generations to come.
To learn more, contact Tonya Steadmon at tsteadmon@archuletacounty.gov or (970) 264-5931.
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