How high to cut grass question...

sixdogs · Jun 13, 2008

While this is probably often discussed it does not "search' well so I have to ask how high should i mow my lawn?
I live in central-southern Ohio and lawn is 40% bluegrass and balance fescue. It is fairly well fertilized and we have clay "Kokomo" ground.

I have been mowing at 2 1/2" in early spring but think I should switch to 3" or even 3 1/2" but am not sure. I use a 6 ft belly mower and 7 ft pull-type sometimes for about three acres. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

MidgetMaestro · Jun 13, 2008

hi! I also live in southern Ohio (about 30 miles outside of Chillicothe.) We spread pasture mix (mostly kentucky bluegrass like yours) - we cut 3" during the spring, and 3-3.5" during the summer.

Hope this helps!

ray66v · Jun 13, 2008

I am sure you will get a lot of opinions on this one. Heres mine:
Unless you can feed and water regularly, like the golf courses do, 2 1/2 is a little too short for blue grass, if it will be on its own during the hot, usually dry, weather in Ohio. I like 3-3 1/2"

I have fine bladed rye and cut it at 2 1/2", (because thats as high as my fairway mower goes), and that is really tough on it when it get hot and dry. I feed the heck out of it in the early spring and fall, (20 bags each), so it can take it better.

bontai_Joe · Jun 13, 2008

There is no rule that "X" type grass needs to be cut at 2.84756" high. And even if there was, conditions on your lawn are gonna be different from where ever the testing was done to come up with a number. Cut it at what looks good at you place. Longer typically looks better during hot dry weather, shorter during wet spring and fall weather also looks good. And different types of grass are happier at different heights.

Charlesaf3 · Jun 13, 2008

3 inches is the general rule of thumb. Most people cut it too short, which stresses it and allows for weed growth. Higher gives more energy to the plant (grass blade is its "engine") and shades the ground to keep it cooler/moister.

The other rule is try to take no more than 1/3 of the grass height off per mow. Stresses it. I violate this one all the time unfortunately.

AlanB · Jun 13, 2008

I would say longer, 3.5 to 4" is best for the grass, and ease of maintenance, but some folks think it looks to shaggy.

Really it is personal preference, up to the point that if you cut too short, and it does not get enough water, you will not have grass to worry about.

sixdogs · Jun 13, 2008

Good advice here--thank you all. I went with 3 1/2 inches and if that doesn't work may go to 4" I plan to do 3" in the spring and fall and call it good. Thanks again.

billbill1 · Jun 14, 2008

I have a friend in the landscape business, he told me that most people cut their lawn "way too short" and damage the grass. He recommends cutting at 4" or taller and mowing on the same schedule as you would keeping it shorter. I find the grass looks thicker and healthier by doing it this way. It is still flat on the top just like cutting it short and I like it that way. It is also recommended not to catch the clippings, it feeds the lawn, although I like using clippings around my tomatoes for mulch.

ray66v · Jun 14, 2008

Depends on how manicured you want it too look. The grass seems to look shaggy at 4" and really needs to be thick to get a good cut that high. Then, when it needs to be mowed it really looks neglected at 5+ inches.