Mowing during the conditioning phase can continue at the cut height used in the initial phase to identify the pitch. Depending on the difference between the height of cut of your square and the final pitch height of cut, you may need to reduce the cut height in one or two stages through the conditioning phase to maintain a good quality of cut.
Note that you do not want to go to your final pitch cut height too early in the conditioning phase – this is because:
- It will slow the rate and depth of drying of your pitch.
- It will mean that your pitch will start to ‘green-up’ as the grass plant adapts to being cut lower.
‘Shocking’ the grass by cutting to pitch height from the initial cut height (or an intermediate height) nearer to match day will give more effective pitch preparation.
Remember: you should keep returning on the same line of cut to avoid any striping of the pitch and nap that might be difficult to remove in the final cut.
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