mowing the grass can take a lot of time, and it can feel like it’s a job that needs to be done all the time.
There are, however, ways to slow down a green that grows quickly so that you can save time and energy while still keeping your lawn healthy.
Sutton Manor Nursery William Mitchel says: “A healthy lawn is crucial, especially in the fast-approaching summer months.
“Your lawn is the most important part of your garden, so it’s important to keep it healthy and looking good.” ”.
If you want to keep your lawn looking great without having to keep pulling out the lawn mower, read on. William and Tom Hilton are the directors of hydroponic specialists at National Greenhouse.
If you find yourself mowing the lawn every few days just to keep up with its rapid growth, you may wonder why your grass seems to grow at warp speed. A thriving lawn is a good thing, but uncontrolled fast growth can be a nuisance. There are a few key factors that cause grass growth to accelerate.
Causes of Fast Grass Growth
Several influences can cause your lawn to grow quickly and need frequent mowing, Common reasons include
Fertilization
Applying nitrogen-rich fertilizers fuels rapid grass growth. Nitrogen stimulates shoot and leaf production. While you want a moderate growth rate, too much nitrogen pushes growth into overdrive. Slow-release nitrogen sources are best to avoid surges of growth.
Adequate Moisture
Water is essential for grass to grow. Adequate rainfall or irrigation provides the moisture grass needs to grow rapidly. Too much water can make matters worse. As the saying goes “the grass is always greener over the septic tank” because of excess nitrogen and moisture.
Warm Temperatures
Grasses grow fastest when daytime highs reach about 70-80°F Hot summer weather accelerates growth compared to cooler spring and fall temperatures Optimal soil temperatures for root activity range from 55-65°F.
Sunlight
Grass needs sunlight to fuel growth. Areas in full sun often grow faster than shady sections. However, excessive hot sun can suppress summer growth when soil moisture is low. Light to moderate shade reduces heat stress.
Grass Varieties
Some grass types are naturally more vigorous and fast growing. Warm season grasses like bermudagrass and zoysia and cool season ryegrasses tend to grow faster than fescue or bluegrass. Improved cultivars are bred for rapid growth and spread.
Soil Fertility
Rich, fertile soil supplies grass plants with ample nutrients to support fast growth. Regular fertilization, quality topsoil, and organic matter create ideal growing conditions.
Pest Activity
Insects feeding on grass blades can stimulate growth as the plant works to recover lost foliage. The same applies to disease pressure. As long as the damage is not severe, it can accelerate growth.
Overseeding
Adding grass seed to thick lawns in spring and fall provides a boost of young, vigorous new plants that grow rapidly. Overseed often if you prefer fast greening.
Downsides of Fast Growth
While you may enjoy your lawn’s vigor, excessive growth rate can create extra work and issues like:
- Need to mow 2-3 times a week to maintain height
- Rapid depletion of soil moisture – requires more watering
- Promotes some grass diseases
- Increased threat of fungus on dense foliage
- Frequent mowing causes shallow roots
- More stress going into summer heat dormancy
- Excess growth draws energy away from roots
- Faster thatch buildup from rapid leaf production
You can promote reasonable growth without constantly battling an out-of-control lawn.
How to Slow Down Grass Growth
When grass grows too fast, you have several options to get the growth rate under control:
Apply Growth Regulator
Growth regulating chemicals slow vertical growth and leaf production. Products like T-Nex, Cutless, and others reduce mowing frequency by up to half. They also increase rooting and the plant’s stress tolerance.
Raise Mowing Height
Letting grass grow a little taller slows growth by reducing light interception. Mow at the highest recommended height for your species. For warm season grass go up to 4 inches, for cool season try 3-3.5 inches.
Avoid Excess Nitrogen
Eliminate late fall fertilization and reduce spring applications. Choose slow-release nitrogen sources when you do fertilize. Let clippings recycle nutrients instead of bagging.
Reduce Irrigation
Cut back on watering to apply the minimum needed to prevent drought stress. Avoid frequent, shallow watering that spikes growth. Deep soak roots less often.
Reassess Sunlight
If possible, increase shade on all or part of the yard to limit photosynthesis and growth potential. Strategically placed trees can provide cooling shade.
Convert Some to Beds
Remove excess turfgrass by expanding planting beds, adding hardscapes, or creating mulched areas. Less total grass means less mowing and maintenance.
Change Grass Variety
Consider replacing aggressive grasses like bermuda and ryegrass with slower varieties like fescue or even zoysia. Some cultivars grow more slowly.
Enjoy Your Lawn
Having a lush, thriving lawn is a worthy goal. But uncontrolled growth can ruin your landscape’s aesthetics and create unneeded extra work. Monitor your lawn’s growth rate throughout the year and adjust care practices as needed to promote a moderately vigorous lawn. A little trial and error will help you strike the right balance for your grass type and environment.
Most read in Lifestyle
You invited your family and friends over for a barbecue, but now you see that the lawn is turning into a jungle instead of a Wimbledon-worthy green?
Everyone has been there, but don’t worry—there are easy things you can do right away to make it look better.
William says, “If you don’t have time to mow your lawn, a strimmer might be the best thing for you.”
“Strimming around the edges of your grass will help to tidy it up and make it look like it was mowed perfectly.” ”.
Tom adds, “You can work on your flower beds and the border for a neat and beautiful lawn without using the lawnmower right away.”
“Add color to your garden by planting a range of flowers and other plants that can be grown outside. These plants will also help the soil stay healthy.” ”.
It’s important to water your grass the right amount, but if it’s growing too quickly, you might be watering it too much.
Tom says, “You should water the lawn less often because doing so can speed up growth, which means you’ll have to mow it more often.”
“And when the warmer months come, you can help the lawn go into a more dormant state during dry spells by not overwatering and fertilizing it.” ”.
“Watering your grass too often will speed up the growth, so it will need more care to stay looking healthy,” William agrees. ”.
Short back (yard) and sides
Just like with hair, the more you trim your grass, the longer it will grow. If you leave it a little longer, you won’t have to mow it as often.
GARDEN TIPS
William says that leaving your grass a little longer when you mow it is a good way to slow its growth.
“Cutting less grass will hurt the plant less, so it won’t have to heal as quickly.” ”.
Tom adds: “The common lawn-mowing rule is to never cut more than a third off the grass blade.”
How to Stop Grass From Growing So Fast
FAQ
What causes grass to grow fast?
How can I stop my lawn from growing so fast?
How to slow down the growth of a lawn?
Does grass grow faster the more you cut it?
Does fertilizer make grass grow faster?
Fertilizers encourage fast plant growth, and not only does this lead to more mowing, it can also lead to plants that are too tall and spindly. Using a small amount of fertilizer or a slow-release fertilizer leads to grass that grows much more slowly. Water your lawn deeply, but make sure that you do not do it too often.
Why does my grass grow so fast?
Grass grows faster when it’s mown too short or too often, when it’s over-watered, when it has access to more nutrients than it knows what to do with, and during certain seasons, times of the year, or times of the day.
How to stop grass from growing fast?
Do not spray on windy days and keep children and pets away from the grass after spraying. If your grass grows fast, then you would need to withhold care and attention given to it. If you need to stop your grass from growing fast, you need to reduce the amount of water and fertilizer.
Should I slow down my grass growth?
If you are tired of cutting your lawn every week, or you are concerned about the environmental resources your lawn uses, look into slowing down your grass growth. Fast-growing grass will take up your time and consume water quickly, so find a way to tend your lawn that will leave it healthy but growing at a slower rate. Plant slow-growing grass.