Mowing height, frequency and clipping management directly influence root development, turf resilience and long-term grass quality. The background below explains why mowing strategies that follow grass growth are essential for sustainable turfgrass production.

Grass roots form a fibrous, shallow and branched root system that is highly sensitive to environmental conditions and management practices. Root growth depends on carbohydrates produced by the aboveground green tissue through photosynthesis.

Soil conditions are a primary factor influencing root development. In compacted soils, root growth is restricted by physical barriers and reduced oxygen availability. Adequate soil oxygen is essential for root respiration and overall plant health.

Mowing practices also play a major role in root development. Lower mowing heights reduce the plant’s capacity to produce carbohydrates, limiting energy availability for root growth and resulting in a shallower root system. Higher mowing heights increase leaf area, leading to greater root mass and deeper rooting. The relationship between grass height and root depth is therefore almost linear.

Turfgrasses can tolerate mowing because their growing point is located near the soil surface. These grasses compensate for the loss of leaf tissue by increasing shoot density below the mowing height. For this reason, mowing heights should be kept as high as practical, depending on the intended use of the turf.

Mowing frequency is directly related to mowing height. The lower the mowing height, the more frequently mowing is required. As a general guideline, no more than one third of the aboveground plant tissue should be removed in a single mowing operation. Removing more than 40% of the leaf tissue can temporarily stop root growth for periods ranging from six days to more than two weeks.

When mowing heights need to be reduced before harvest, this should be done gradually over several weeks. This allows the turf to increase its density and better tolerate lower cutting heights.

Grass clippings are preferably returned to the turf. Scientific studies have shown that returning clippings does not increase thatch accumulation. Instead, clippings decompose rapidly, contributing nitrogen to the leaf tissue and soil, while also increasing soil carbon content. Only excess clippings that physically smother the turf should be removed.

This understanding of grass growth and mowing height underlines the importance of mowing strategies that balance cutting frequency, turf use and plant health — principles that guide the development and application of Eco Clipper mowing systems.

Information source: Fundamentals of Turfgrass Management — Christians, N.E., Patton, A.J. & Law, Q.D., John Wiley & Sons.