Upstate lawns grow hard from spring through early fall, then slow down in winter. Mowing on a steady rhythm, rather than in occasional big cuts, is the single biggest thing you can do for a thicker lawn.
Mow often enough that you're never removing more than about a third of the blade at once. In the peak of summer that usually means weekly. Cutting too much at once stresses the grass and leaves clumps of clippings on the surface.
Keep your mower blade sharp. A dull blade tears grass instead of cutting it, leaving ragged, browning tips. And mow a little higher in the heat of summer — taller grass shades the soil, holds moisture and crowds out weeds.
Edge along walks and driveways and trim around beds, fences and trees on every visit. Those crisp lines do more for curb appeal than almost anything else, and they keep the lawn from creeping into your beds.
In fall, keep leaves from piling up on the grass. A thick mat of leaves blocks light and can smother the lawn over winter, so rake or blow them off regularly until the trees are bare.
If you'd rather leave it to someone else, Escudero Landscaping offers weekly, bi-weekly and one-time mowing. Call (864) 813-1176 for a free estimate.