The Grass Doctor

My Lawn Grass is Seeding -- Why should i Mow?

I read somewhere (i might be wrong) that you shouldn't let your grass grow to the point where it develops these funny pods at their tips that contain new grass seeds, and that it should be mowed before it gets to this point. Is that true? Why is it a good idea to mow before it gets to this point? Are there benefits to a healthier lawn by mowing? I would think it would be healthier of a lawn to not mow. Here is a picture of one of my grass blades that are seeding: http://spunge.org/~tony/whatx.jpg Thanks

Public Comments

1. It doesn't really make any difference if it seeds or not apart from 2 things. 1. The seeds will end up everywhere, maybe causing a lot of weeding. 2.The grass is more difficult to cut when it is longer. The more you cut grass, the stronger it becomes as grass grows from the base of the leaf and not the tip. All this growth uses up nutrients in the soil. Ideally you should feed your lawn regularly as strong grass keeps weeds off your lawn.
2. I mow every week and the yard is full of the crap! its the type of grass i think, and mowing regularly wont stop it from seeding. you still should mow often though because its healthier for the grass. if you let it get real long then cut it short you will have worse problems than grass seeding, you will end up with alot of bare spots, and weeds.
3. What I've been told, don't let grass get taller than 3 inch between mowing. Also never take more than 1 inch off at a time. Grass can burn is the sun and heat. Also you don't want to leave the grass laying in the yard. If for some reason I don't get my yard mowed every week. Then I take 1 inch off mowing in one direction and then re-mow in a different direction taking it down another inch.