What Is the Right Mowing Height for Grass in Your Yard?

Many homeowners mistakenly believe that the shorter they cut their lawn, the less often they will need to mow. While this may sound right, improper mowing can damage your grass and increase the growth of unwanted weeds—both of which can be costly to repair. To maintain a beautiful lawn, it’s important that you don’t cut your grass too tall or too short. The proper height for the grass in your yard depends on the type of grass you have, the season and the growing conditions.

Type of Grass

It is important to know that not all types of grass are alike, nor do they require the same care. St. Augustine is one of the most popular types of grass in Texas because it requires little maintenance. It also is one of the longest grass varieties and should be kept between 2″ to 4″ high.

Buffalo grass is another common type of grass because it can tolerate drought conditions better than other varieties. The proper mowing height for buffalo grass is 2″ to 3″ high.

Bermuda and zoysia are additional types of grass grown throughout Texas. The proper grass height for both of these varieties is ½” to 1½” high
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Different Heights for Different Seasons

You must also consider what season it is when mowing your grass. During the summer months when the temperatures are higher, your grass is more susceptible to heat and drought damage. During these warmer months, you should keep your grass height slightly higher to provide protection for the grass roots and to maintain moisture more efficiently.

During the fall and winter months, heat damage is not an issue. Therefore, you can adjust your mower height a little lower during these cooler months to keep the grass nice and short. Adjusting your mower as necessary will help to keep your lawn looking great all year long.

Growing Conditions

Finally, the growing conditions of your lawn also play a role in how high you should keep your grass. If your yard has a lot of shade, you can keep the grass ½’ to 1″ higher. This will allow your grass to absorb more of the sun’s rays. If you mow shaded areas too low, it could damage your grass and cause it to turn brown.
Adjusting your lawn mower to meet the specific needs of your lawn will help keep your grass healthy and looking great.

If you want to maintain the perfect lawn all year long, call The Grass Outlet today.