This is a public-interest archive. Personal data is pseudonymized and retained under GDPR Article 89.

Re: When to mow

Lynn:
	If you want the mowing to have an effect that is similar to
burning, mow at the same time that is recommended for burning.  Burning
(with the intent of helping native warm season grasses, and hurting exotic
cool season grasses) here in Kansas is done in April-May.  In my home
state of Nebraska it would be in May.  I think you should mow as low as
you can go - remove the above-ground vegetative parts.  One of the reasons
burning at these times hurts cool season exotics is because it is done at
a time when the growing points (meristems) are elevated above the ground.
Removing the growing points causes the plants to draw upon already low
root reserves to replace lost vegetative parts via new growing points.
Warm season grasses benefit from burning at this time because the exposed
soil surface heats up rapidly, causing earlier growth and greater nutrient
availability.  For mowing to simulate this aspect of burning, you will
need to mow and rake off the litter - expose the soil surface.  Burning
also prevents the accumulation of thatch/litter.  A thatch layer keeps
soils cool (it is like an insulating blanket), which gives an advantage to
cool season species and reduces the vigor of warm season species.  Again,
mowing and raking will prevent the accumulation of a thatch layer.  Lots
of other subscribers to the list have provided you with numerous valid
suggestions.  It's up to you to decide what effect you want to have.  A
basic way of thinking about it might be: burning/mowing will probably harm
species that are into advanced growth stages, especially if their root
reserves are at a low point.  Burning/mowing will probably benefit species
that are in very early growth stages or dormant and will initiate vigorous
growth after the treatment.  Hope this helps.

Steve

On Tue, 27 Oct 1998, Lynn Barnett M.D. wrote:

> I live in northern Illinois and planted my prairie this year.  I've been
> reading as much as I can find about burning, mowing etc.  Unfortunately, my
> village will not allow me to burn, so mowing is my only option.  I have two
> questions about this.  When is the best time to mow; fall or early spring?
> How high should I mow?  I saw one author who recommended mowing 12 inches
> high.  Obviously, my regular lawn mower won't work but I'm not sure what
> kind of machine I could use if this is the correct height.  Any suggestions?
> 
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@mallorn.com with the
> message text UNSUBSCRIBE PRAIRIE
> 

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@mallorn.com with the
message text UNSUBSCRIBE PRAIRIE
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index