Rotary mowing

[Piperflyer]

Being new to country living in the North East, how many times do I need to keep my fields cut? Is two or three times enough during the summer & fall season.

[Soundguy]

Gonna depend on how fast your fields grow.. and what your tolerance for field height is.

Soundguy

[thingy]

Yep,all depends on you,you the man. Cut mine about 5-6 times a year but most are just wide paths for walking and some areas are close to house,,,once a year in mid summer is what some farmer types do to keep brush down in their pastures,,so,its up to you,,,thingy

[jbrumberg]

Piperflyer:

I do a 15' walking path around the lower field perimeter, and cut the field once per season. It is obvious from my avatar that I have a high tolerance for 5'-6' high "grass" . I get a lot of birds nesting in the weeds . Jay

[Farmwithjunk]

A lot depends on weather. Also the type of grass/weeds you have growing will make some difference. And as mentioned, personal preference will play into your decision. I mow several tracts for a property management company. Most of the land is in semi-residential areas where city/county ordinances require grass and weeds stay under 10". They'll need 4 to 5 cuts MINIMUM per summer.

We had an early break in winter weather here. 80 degree weather in early March. Grass is growing fast. I just walked in from mowing an 8 acre field next to our house. This was the 4th time already this year, and it's still early May.

[MarkLeininger]

I mow primarily to control weeds, horses can keep the grass cut. Rule of thumb, you want to never allow a flower to mature on a weed. Generally cutting in late spring and early summer is most important to interrupt their seed cycle. Some have time to grow new flowers again or may mature later in summer, so mileage may vary. All depends what you're trying to do with the field.

[RalphVa]

If you want to walk on them, just mow some paths. This will keep the ticks off you. They don't like mowed areas.

To control weeds, you got some pretty good advice. Don't let too many flower and then form seeds. Depends on the types weeds you have as to when this will happen. I don't like thistles. When I see them in flower when mowing my paths, I sidetrack and just mow them down. This occurs about mid summer.

To control invasives like autumn olive shrubs and the like, just once/year or every 2 or 3 years once you get them under control is enough. Autumn olive, in particularly make berries which contain the seeds. To knock these down, you'd have to mow in late summer to get them before they form, if you really want to zap them.

Mowing once every 2 to 4 years would probably control most saplings.

If you want wildlife, observe what you have growing and mow the least amount you can get by with. Leave a swatch about 35' wide along the sides to promote wildlife sanctuary.

[Slamfire]

I like to mow when the local hay growers do, usually Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day. This year I had to start early, I think it'll be a four cut year.

[RoyJackson]

I normally cut twice a season.
We're not overly concerned if the fields grow a bit.

[Slamfire]

I wuz talkin' about my back yard, Roy. ;-D