Selecting Turfgrasses and Mowing Practices that Reduce Mowing Requirements

Mowing remains one of the most energy-intensive cultural practices in maintaining a turf sward. Turfgrass systems can become a larger net C sink if mower emissions are reduced. Establishing slow-growing turfgrasses has been proposed to reduce mowing requirements. Traditional recommendations for home lawns are to mow by the one-third rule and return grass clippings. However, their impact on annual mowing requirements remains largely unknown. This study aimed to determine (i) the number of required mowing events when mowing weekly versus using the one-third rule; (ii) the influence of returning grass clippings on mowing requirements, dry matter yield (DMY), and leaf tissue N (LTN); and (iii) how turfgrasses with differing growth rates influence mowing requirements, DMY, and LTN. The one-third rule decreased mowing requirements by 31% (approximately eight mowing events yr(-1)) and returning grass clippings added approximately two additional mowing events yr(-1). Tall fescue [Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Durmort., nom. cons.; Festuca arundinacea Schreb.] required more annual mowing events than Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.)(nine and three more in 2012 and 2013, respectively). Tall fescue had a greater 2-yr cumulative DMY than Kentucky bluegrass (875 vs. 522 g m(-2)). Growth rate (i.e., cultivar) also affected annual mowing requirements and yield: the faster the growth rate, the more annual mowing events. Leaf tissue N concentrations were higher when clippings were returned and with slower-growing cultivars. Mowing by the one-third rule and selecting slower-growing cultivars of turfgrass species adapted to a particular location can reduce annual mowing requirements and subsequent mower emissions.