Cutting Heights

[jenkinsph]

I mow fescue in my locale about 3 1/2 to 4 inches in the summer and let it grow to about 6 inches tall between mowings. In late fall when it slows down its growth considerably I will trim it lower about 2 1/2 then apply winterizer and additional seed. Cover this with a very light layer of top dressing and smooth out any divots from the years mowing. In the spring I will mow it close again and dethatch, vacuum up and water up good. Weeds don't have much of a chance if the grass roots are thick they are choked out.

 

[scott47429]

i cut all m y weeds at 3.5" and its been like every 3 days here since we been getting all this rain and cool weather

 

[Freedom1955]

4". My front lawn (full sun)does not do well if cut shorter.

 

[lawn mower fanatic]

4". My front lawn (full sun)does not do well if cut shorter.

WOW! That is pretty tall! You probably have to cut it pretty often!

 

[panabiker]

My question is, for the last cut going into winter, how high do you cut? The argument for cutting low is to reduce the chances of developing snow mold. The argument for cutting high is to allow further, deeper root development when the top stops growing because the longer grass causes more photosynthesis.

 

[lawn mower fanatic]

My question is, for the last cut going into winter, how high do you cut? The argument for cutting low is to reduce the chances of developing snow mold. The argument for cutting high is to allow further, deeper root development when the top stops growing because the longer grass causes more photosynthesis.

I would say medium because you don't want it too low because when the snow melts (if you have snow) it will get muddy. But not too high because you want it to look good all winter!

 

[chn]

About this time of year I have been planting seed and fertilizer for customers. Does any one else on here have grub worm problems when thatching old grass out?
I usually cut it short short when I'm seeding and fertilizing. and about the grubs was a curious question by my buddies and I that do lawn care

 

[claudedog1234]

What height do you cut at? I've heard different things from different people. Some say no less than 3" so that the grass will be able to have and maintain a good root system. Thoughts?

This article has the specs for cutting heights. Give it a read and I hope it helps. Thanks

How To Start Your Very Own Lawn Care Business On A Shoestring, And Make Huge Profits, While Keeping Your Current Job.

 

[Perry]

Reducing Cutting Heights

I've always been perplexed, nay, amazed at the cutting heights commonly mentioned on here.
Anything over 3 inches I would regard as a field for grazing sheep, rather than a lawn. Where
I live in New Zealand, it never snows on my lawn and I have Hunter irrigation installed, so it
never gets a chance to dry out. And lately, I've decided to lower the cutting height.

As I've been away at critical times, the cutting height has crept up a bit, over the last sum-
mer, because I don't catch the clippings - the area is too big for that - and the amount of
clippings would've been too great, if I'd cut it at the usual mower setting. But the winter
weather is here, growth has slowed and so I've dropped from 3 inches to two and a quarter.
And I plan to go lower, yet.

That's produced the inevitable few bits of yellow turf, as all the photosynthesising leaf area
has been removed. It will 'green up' over time, but it did make me wonder. So here's a question
for all you budding turf agronomists:

When the aim is to shorten the grass length, what's best?

1) Lower the cutting height a notch at time, over an extended period, until the desired height was achieved?

2) Hack the hell out of it at a mower setting a couple of notches below the desired height, then let it grow back to the desired height?

A few potential considerations.

Would the choice of 1 or 2 be influenced by the season, like Spring, Summer or Autumn (Fall)?
Grass species would also be a factor, I suspect. Mine's dominated by dwarfing rye (lolium perenne)
and fescue (festuca rubra fallax). Details here. Cutting height can be as low as 1 inch.

I'm using option (1) for now, but I'm keen to hear other perspectives.

When measuring cutting height, how do you do it? I check it off against a tape, when the
mower is standing on concrete. But when it's going across the lawn, there will be an extra
height margin gained as the mower wheels ride across the actual turf vegetation. How much
extra height would that add to the standing-on-concrete measurement, I wonder? Another
quarter of an inch? More?

 

[exotion]

I've always been perplexed, nay, amazed at the cutting heights commonly mentioned on here.
Anything over 3 inches I would regard as a field for grazing sheep, rather than a lawn. Where
I live in New Zealand, it never snows on my lawn and I have Hunter irrigation installed, so it
never gets a chance to dry out. And lately, I've decided to lower the cutting height.

As I've been away at critical times, the cutting height has crept up a bit, over the last sum-
mer, because I don't catch the clippings - the area is too big for that - and the amount of
clippings would've been too great, if I'd cut it at the usual mower setting. But the winter
weather is here, growth has slowed and so I've dropped from 3 inches to two and a quarter.
And I plan to go lower, yet.

That's produced the inevitable few bits of yellow turf, as all the photosynthesising leaf area
has been removed. It will 'green up' over time, but it did make me wonder. So here's a question
for all you budding turf agronomists:

When the aim is to shorten the grass length, what's best?

1) Lower the cutting height a notch at time, over an extended period, until the desired height was achieved?

2) Hack the hell out of it at a mower setting a couple of notches below the desired height, then let it grow back to the desired height?

A few potential considerations.

Would the choice of 1 or 2 be influenced by the season, like Spring, Summer or Autumn (Fall)?
Grass species would also be a factor, I suspect. Mine's dominated by dwarfing rye (lolium perenne)
and fescue (festuca rubra fallax). Details here. Cutting height can be as low as 1 inch.

I'm using option (1) for now, but I'm keen to hear other perspectives.

When measuring cutting height, how do you do it? I check it off against a tape, when the
mower is standing on concrete. But when it's going across the lawn, there will be an extra
height margin gained as the mower wheels ride across the actual turf vegetation. How much
extra height would that add to the standing-on-concrete measurement, I wonder? Another
quarter of an inch? More?

Spring and fall I cut lawns as short as I can keep that dam yellow stuff low low. Summer I usually cut 3 in some customers prefer closer to 4.