Weekly mowing is the right schedule for most lawns in Round Rock and Hutto during the growing season. Every other week can work when the grass slows down, in a shady yard, or in the cooler months. Spellings Lawn mows on either schedule, and most of our customers choose weekly.
The reason comes down to how fast the grass grows and how much of it can be cut at once. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension has clear guidance on both, and it is worth knowing before you pick a schedule.
What is the one-third rule?
The one-third rule says never cut off more than one third of the grass blade height in a single mowing. AgriLife uses it to set how often a lawn should be mowed.
AgriLife gives two examples. A St. Augustine lawn kept at 2 inches should be mowed before it reaches 3 inches. A bermudagrass lawn kept at 1 inch should be mowed again when it reaches 1.5 inches. When grass grows that fast, waiting two weeks means cutting off far more than a third.
How short should a Round Rock lawn be cut?
The right height depends on the grass. These are AgriLife’s ranges for St. Augustinegrass and bermudagrass.
| Grass | AgriLife mowing height | Note |
|---|---|---|
| St. Augustinegrass | Between 2 and 4 inches | Set the mower at the highest height or one step below |
| Bermudagrass | 1 to 2 inches | Often needs weekly mowing in the growing season |
AgriLife says a taller height on St. Augustine shades out weeds, helps roots grow deeper and lets water soak in better. A shorter cut means mowing more often to keep from scalping the lawn. You can read the details in AgriLife’s St. Augustinegrass guide and its bermudagrass calendar.
Why is weekly mowing the default?
Weekly mowing keeps every cut inside the one-third rule while the grass is growing hard. AgriLife says bermudagrass lawns often need weekly mowing during the growing season, or as often as it takes to avoid scalping.
Mowing too seldom also thins a lawn out. AgriLife explains that grass mowed too tall or not often enough loses density, because the blades grow upward to compete for light. A lawn mowed on a steady weekly schedule stays thicker and looks the same every time you pull into the drive.
When does every other week make sense?
Every other week makes sense when the grass is growing slowly. AgriLife notes that mowing frequency changes through the year with light, temperature and rain. A shady yard grows slower than one in full sun, and a dry stretch slows everything down.
The City of Round Rock says August and September are the hottest months in Central Texas, and that bermudagrass going dormant in a dry summer is normal. The city also says winter can run from November through March or April, when most grasses are dormant. In those stretches a lawn may not grow a third of its height in a week.
How can I tell if my lawn needs weekly mowing?
Look at the lawn right after it is mowed. AgriLife says if the lawn turns from green to brown after mowing, too much of the leaf was removed, which means it is being cut too low or not often enough. If that happens on an every-other-week schedule, the lawn needs mowing weekly.
What does a mowing visit include?
Every Spellings visit includes the same work:
- Mowing
- Edges along walks, drives and beds
- String trimming
- Walks and drives blown off
We ride stand-on mowers that leave clean stripes in the grass. AgriLife recommends sharp blades for a clean cut and less stress on the grass, and says fine clippings spread evenly can stay on the lawn to recycle nutrients. See the full list on our lawn care page.
Do you mow weekly or every other week?
Both. Most of our customers go weekly. We talk about what your yard needs at the free estimate.
Can I switch from weekly to every other week in winter?
Grass grows much slower in the cool months, so ask us at the estimate or anytime during service.
How tall should St. Augustine grass be cut?
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension says between 2 and 4 inches, with the mower set at its highest height or one step below.
Do you mow in Hutto?
Yes. Round Rock and Hutto are home base. We also work in Taylor, Georgetown and Austin.
Set up a mowing schedule
If you want your lawn in Round Rock or Hutto mowed on a steady schedule, Spellings Lawn can set it up. Levi Spellings owns and runs the business, the crew shows up on time, and the yard is clean when we leave. Request a free estimate or call (512) 921-4877.