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MORE ON MOWING |
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Overview |
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In the Shade |
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When grass is growing in the shade it is essential that the cutting height be
lifted to about 6cm. |
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This is because the plant needs an increased leaf area to intercept as much
light as possible in order to photosynthesise adequately. Remember that
photosynthesis is the process by which the plant converts sunlight energy into
“plant” energy. It is the ONLY way the plant can synthesise (make) “food”. The
plant is programmed to maximize its leaf area so it naturally assumes a more
upright growth habit to intercept more light. |
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Fertiliser is important for allowing the plant to function properly (rather like
vitamins being important for humans!) but nothing can take the place of real
food. |
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A plant growing in the shade also manufactures extra chloroplasts (those
organelles in the cells containing Chlorophyll that “catch” the sunlight. It is
the extra chlorophyll (green pigment) in the cells that make a plant growing in
the shade “greener” than those growing in a sunnier location. |
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MOWING TOO SHORT CANCELS OUT THE PLANTS ABILITY TO ADAPT TO SHADE CONDITIONS. |
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There is a limit as to how much shade even a shade grass can tolerate so you may
need to call in an arborist to thin out your tree a bit to allow more light in. |
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In the Sun |
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You can mow shorter in the sun, provided that you remember the 1/3 rule*.
Assuming you don’t want to mow more than once a week, you shouldn’t mow shorter
than 4 cm. You could mow down to 2 cm but than you will have to mow twice a week
in the growing season. This applies to Kikuyu too – which explains why it often
deteriorates. |
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Another reason for keeping the cutting height on the long side is that longer
blades support deeper roots. |
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What Type of Mower? |
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A rotary mower works best because it doesn’t flatten the grass while mowing, and
many of them can be adjusted to mow at 6 cm. If yours can’t be adjusted to mow
that long then you will have to change your mower. |
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The 1/3 Rule for ALL GRASSES |
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Never remove more than 1/3 of the leaf length at a time. |
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