How To Mow Your Lawn The Right Way
Caring for a lawn in Lincoln, Nebraska requires more than a weekly mow and the hope for rain. With cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue dominating local lawns, and with a climate that swings from wet springs to dry summers, mowing the right way can make or break your turf’s health.
Whether you're a seasoned homeowner or just learning how to manage your yard, these eight tips will help you mow your lawn properly in the Lincoln, Nebraska area!
1. Mow High For Deeper Roots
Lincoln lawns are typically planted with cool-season grasses that thrive best when mowed higher than warm-season varieties. Keeping your mowing height in the 3 to 4 inch range, especially for tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass, encourages deeper roots that are better equipped to handle Nebraska's hot, dry summers. A higher cut also shades the soil, preserving moisture and reducing weeds.
Many homeowners make the mistake of mowing too short in an attempt to extend the time between mowings, but this actually weakens the grass and exposes the soil to more sunlight, heat, and weed pressure. Particularly in Lincoln’s clay-heavy soil, shallow roots lead to quicker drought stress and poor turf resilience. Raise the deck and mow high to protect your lawn’s foundation.
2. Follow The One-Third Rule
One of the most important mowing guidelines during Lincoln’s active spring and fall growing seasons is the one-third rule: never remove more than one-third of the total grass blade height at one time. When grass grows quickly, it’s tempting to let it get tall before cutting, but scalping the lawn even once can lead to brown, ragged patches and stressed root systems.
This is especially critical after rainfall, which can lead to rapid growth spurts in May and June. If your grass has gotten out of control, mow it down in stages over a few days rather than cutting it all at once. Gradual height reduction gives the plant time to adjust and minimizes stress. A healthy lawn is not just about how short it looks, but how consistently and carefully it’s maintained.
3. Mow More Often In Spring
Lincoln’s seasonal temperature swings have a big impact on how frequently your lawn grows and how often it should be mowed. In early spring through June, grass grows vigorously and can require mowing every 5–7 days to keep up with the pace. This is the time to stay on top of growth and avoid removing too much blade height at once.
However, once summer arrives and temperatures climb into the high 80s and 90s, cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass often go semi-dormant. Their growth slows, and the grass can become stressed if cut too often or too short. During July and August, it’s usually best to mow less frequently (every 10 to 14 days depending on irrigation) and raise your mower height slightly. This seasonal rhythm helps you align your mowing habits with the natural life cycle of your lawn.
4. Keep Your Mower Blades Sharp
The condition of your mower blades makes a huge difference in how your lawn looks and performs. Dull blades rip and shred grass blades, leaving jagged edges that brown quickly and become vulnerable to disease. This torn grass also loses moisture more rapidly, which can be especially damaging during Lincoln’s hot, dry spells.
Because the soil in eastern Nebraska contains a lot of fine clay particles, mower blades can dull faster than in sandy regions. Ideally, sharpen your blades every 20–25 hours of mowing, or at least three to four times per growing season. Clean, sharp cuts result in a more uniform lawn appearance and healthier turf overall. It’s a small maintenance step with big payoffs in both lawn aesthetics and plant health.
5. Leave The Clippings (Don’t Bag Them)
While it might seem tidier to bag your grass clippings, doing so actually removes valuable nutrients from the lawn. When you mow regularly and don’t cut too much at once, those small clippings decompose quickly and return nitrogen and organic matter back to the soil. This process, called grasscycling, is especially beneficial in Lincoln’s clay soils, which often benefit from extra organic input.
Mulching your clippings also helps retain soil moisture, a major advantage during Nebraska’s mid-summer dry periods. Just be sure not to mow when the grass is excessively tall or wet, as this can lead to clumping and smothering. As long as you're mowing frequently and using a mulching mower or kit, leaving clippings behind is a sustainable, low-effort way to improve lawn health over time.
6. Avoid Mowing Wet Or Saturated Lawns
Spring rains and sudden summer storms can leave your lawn waterlogged, and that’s exactly when you shouldn’t mow. Mowing wet grass not only results in clumping and uneven cuts, but it can also compact the soil and create ruts, particularly in Lincoln’s heavy clay base. Compacted soil limits root growth and can lead to poor drainage issues long after the grass dries.
If your lawn is still damp from overnight dew or recent rain, hold off on mowing until it’s dry to the touch. This may mean adjusting your mowing schedule around Lincoln’s frequent spring showers, but the payoff is a smoother cut, less mower wear, and fewer lawn diseases like leaf spot and brown patch. Timing is everything when it comes to protecting both your grass and your equipment.
7. Change Up Your Mowing Pattern
It’s easy to fall into the habit of mowing your lawn the same way every time if you’re following a driveway, fence line, or sidewalk. However, over time, this repetition can lead to soil compaction and grass leaning in one direction. Alternating your mowing pattern helps encourage upright growth, improves airflow, and distributes wear more evenly across the yard.
Try mowing north-to-south one week, then east-to-west the next. On larger properties, consider using a diagonal or spiral pattern every few mowings. These simple adjustments keep your lawn looking professionally manicured and prevent ruts or depressions from forming in the turf. It’s an easy trick that adds long-term value and visual appeal to your lawn.
8. Mow Later In The Day
Timing your mow can be just as important as how you mow. In Lincoln, where midday sun and summer heat can be intense, mowing in the heat of the day increases the stress on already vulnerable cool-season grasses. On the flip side, mowing early in the morning can mean working with damp grass that’s still covered in dew.
The best time to mow is usually the early evening, around 6 to 8 PM. At this time, temperatures have cooled off, the grass is dry, and the turf has overnight hours to begin healing from the cut. Mowing during this cooler window reduces shock, prevents sun-scalding, and helps the lawn maintain better color and recovery. Plus, it’s a more pleasant time to be outside during Nebraska’s summer months.
Get Professional Lawn Mowing Services Today!
For homeowners who want a perfectly maintained lawn but lack the time, our professional lawn mowing services in Lincoln can take the guesswork out of the equation and deliver consistent, healthy results all season long. Call Summit Lawns today for more information on how our lawn care services can help your lawn in Lincoln, NE!
