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What Happens If I Cut More Than 1/3 of Grass?

By Jeff Mercer · Updated January 7, 2023 · 2 min read
What Happens If I Cut More Than 1/3 of Grass?
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Hey there, it’s your boy Jeff here. I’ve been mowing my lawn for as long as I can remember, and let me tell you, I’ve definitely had my fair share of mishaps.

One time, I was mowing my lawn and I accidentally mowed over a rock. Let me tell you, that was a loud one.

The mower blade hit the rock and it sounded like a gunshot. My neighbor came running out of his house, thinking I was trying to murder him or something. It was a hilarious misunderstanding, to say the least.

But, in all seriousness, mowing your lawn can be a bit of a balancing act. On one hand, you want to get the job done as efficiently as possible.

On the other hand, you don’t want to overdo it and end up with a poorly-maintained lawn. So, what happens if you cut more than 1/3 of the grass? Let’s take a look.

What Is The 1/3 Rule In Mowing?

The 1/3 rule in mowing refers to the general guideline that you should never remove more than 1/3 of the grass blade at a time.

This is because cutting too much of the grass blade can stress the grass and make it more prone to disease and pests. Plus, cutting too much of the grass blade can make your lawn look uneven and unsightly.

So, what should you do if you accidentally cut more than 1/3 of the grass blade? The best course of action is to wait a week or so and then mow again, using the 1/3 rule as a guideline.

This will give the grass time to recover and allow it to grow back evenly. In the meantime, try to keep the grass watered and fertilized to help it recover.

FAQ

Q: What is the 1/3 rule in mowing?

A: The 1/3 rule in mowing refers to the general guideline that you should never remove more than 1/3 of the grass blade at a time.

This is because cutting too much of the grass blade can stress the grass and make it more prone to disease and pests. Plus, cutting too much of the grass blade can make your lawn look uneven and unsightly.

Q: What should I do if I accidentally cut more than 1/3 of the grass blade?

A: If you accidentally cut more than 1/3 of the grass blade, the best course of action is to wait a week or so and then mow again, using the 1/3 rule as a guideline.

This will give the grass time to recover and allow it to grow back evenly. In the meantime, try to keep the grass watered and fertilized to help it recover.

Conclusion: Don’t Get Too Trim-Happy

So, there you have it. A few tips and tricks for avoiding the pitfalls of over-mowing your lawn.

Just remember to stick with the 1/3 rule as a guideline and try to avoid cutting too much of the grass blade at a time.

With a little practice, you’ll have a lawn that’s the envy of the neighborhood in no time. Happy mowing!

Before you start the repairI'm a homeowner who does his own small-engine work, not a certified technician. Before any repair, pull the spark plug wire and let the engine cool. Anything involving blades under a raised machine, fuel system leaks or transmission internals — if you're not sure, have a dealer or small-engine shop look at it.
Jeff Mercer

Written by

Jeff Mercer

Hi, I'm Jeff. I look after about an acre of lawn, a riding mower, a zero-turn, a push mower that is older than some of my neighbours' cars, and a snowblower that only ever breaks the night before a storm. Doing my own repairs started as a way to save on dealer labour and turned into the part of yard work I actually enjoy.

GardenTooly is where I answer the questions people type into a search bar while standing next to a machine that won't behave: why the deck shakes, why the mower dies when it warms up, whether a bent blade shaft can be straightened, what the difference between two transmissions really means for you, and which fuel additive is worth the shelf space.

I'm not a certified small-engine technician and I don't sell equipment. Where I've done a job myself, I say so. Where an answer comes from the owner's manual, a service bulletin or a mechanic who knows more than me, I say that instead — and anything involving blades, fuel, jacked-up machines or a hydrostatic transmission gets a plain "take it to a shop" when that's the right call.