Question 1

What height should I mow my grass?

Accepted Answer

St. Augustine: 3.5–4 inches (raise to 4+ in shade, never scalp). Bermuda: 1.5–2 inches for Common, 1–1.5 inches for Hybrid. Zoysia: 1.5–2 inches for Zeon/Emerald, 2–2.5 inches for Palisades. Never cut more than 1/3 of the blade at once.

Question 2

How often should I mow?

Accepted Answer

St. Augustine: every 7–10 days. Bermuda: every 5–7 days. Zoysia: every 7–10 days. Ideal spring and summer intervals for Central Texas.

Question 3

Do I need sharp mowing blades?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Dull blades tear grass instead of cutting it, causing browning and increased disease risk. Top Choice sharpens blades every week.

Question 4

Why does my lawn look uneven after mowing?

Accepted Answer

Uneven soil and compacted areas make the mower bounce. Poor drainage or inconsistent patterns cause patchiness. Top dressing helps level the lawn over time.

Question 5

Should I mulch or bag my clippings?

Accepted Answer

Mulch. Finely chopped clippings decompose quickly and return nutrients to the soil. In Central Texas, mulching is almost always the right choice. Bag only when grass is very tall or wet and clumping heavily.

Question 6

Do I need to worry about thatch?

Accepted Answer

Rarely. Most Central Texas lawns — especially Bermuda and St. Augustine — do not produce enough thatch to cause problems.

Question 7

How much should I water my lawn?

Accepted Answer

Aim for 1 inch per week including rain. Water deeply 2–3 times per week in the early morning.

Question 8

Why won’t a spot in my lawn grow anymore?

Accepted Answer

Common causes: increased shade, heavy foot traffic, poor drainage, compacted soil, or irrigation gaps. Solutions: adjust irrigation, reduce traffic, or replace with sod or shade-tolerant plants.

Question 9

What’s the best way to feed my lawn?

Accepted Answer

Top dress with high-quality compost in spring and fall. Use fertilizers matched to your turf type and season throughout the year.

Question 10

Can I seed bare spots in my lawn?

Accepted Answer

Only if you have common Bermuda. St. Augustine and Zoysia must be re-established with sod — their seed does not germinate effectively.

Question 11

Can mowing help reduce weeds?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Regular mowing stops weeds from flowering and going to seed — a simple but important layer of weed control.

Question 12

Do I need to alternate mowing patterns?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Alternating patterns prevents soil compaction and encourages grass to grow upright. Change directions every few cuts.

Question 13

Is it okay to mow when the grass is wet?

Accepted Answer

Depends on drainage. Light rain on a well-draining yard is fine. Soggy spots can cause turf damage, compaction, or rutting.

Question 14

What does lawn mowing do for my grass?

Accepted Answer

Mowing transforms grass into turf — dense enough to hold soil, choke out weeds, and withstand wear. It limits vertical growth and lets sunlight reach the entire lawn evenly.

Question 15

Why is weekly mowing better than every other week?

Accepted Answer

Weekly mowing removes only a small portion of the blade, minimizing stress. Every-other-week mowing cuts more at once and causes more stress. Long intervals are only appropriate for non-turf grasses.

Question 16

What is lawn edging?

Accepted Answer

Edging trims horizontal grass growth along driveways, sidewalks, and planting beds. It keeps the lawn sharp and prevents St. Augustine and Bermuda from spreading into beds.

Question 17

How much does lawn mowing in Austin cost?

Accepted Answer

Every yard is different. Top Choice bases fees on the amount of mowing and edging required. A fast estimate is often available from satellite imagery of your address.

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