Why Most DC Metro Homeowners Are Mowing Their Lawn Wrong

Lawn mowing looks simple — cut the grass, done. But the details matter enormously, and common mowing mistakes are responsible for a significant portion of the thin, stressed, weed-prone lawns we see across DC Metro.

The Most Important Setting — Cutting Height

Most DC Metro cool-season lawns should be maintained at 3-4 inches during the growing season. Cutting shorter than 2.5 inches stresses the grass and creates conditions where weeds outcompete turf.

The One-Third Rule

Never remove more than one-third of the blade length in a single mowing. If the lawn gets away from you, bring it down gradually over multiple mowings.

Blade Sharpness Matters

Dull blades tear grass rather than cutting it cleanly. Sharpen mower blades at least once per season.

Leave the Clippings

Grasscycling returns nitrogen to the soil and can reduce fertilizer needs by up to 25%.

Call Ortega Landscaping at (571) 217-2935 for professional lawn maintenance.