A lot of homeowners think that cutting their lawn super short will give it a neat, putting-green-like look. However, they soon discover that this neat look is short-lived as they start to see things like brown patches, thin spots, or even yard pests.

When you mow your lawn too short, it leaves your soil and turf too exposed to weather, pests, potential diseases, or weed infestations. At the same time, letting it grow too long can prevent it from getting the sun, water, or nutrients that it needs.

We believe that there is an art and a science to mowing to the perfect height. There is a lot of misinformation out there about this topic, so let’s set the record straight and talk about why it’s about more than just aesthetics.

How to Mow a Lawn to the Perfect Height

There is no one-size-fits-all height that will universally give everyone a perfect lawn, which is probably why there is so much confusion about this.

Your optimal mowing height will depend on where you live and what type of grass you have:

Warm-Season Grasses - Found in the Southern United States:

Here are the optimal heights:

• Common Bermudagrass: 3⁄4 to 1 1⁄4 inches (2 to 3 cm)

• Hybrid Bermudagrass: 1⁄2 to 1 1⁄2 inches (1.5 to 4 cm)

• Centipedegrass: 1 to 2 inches (2 to 5 cm)

• Zoysiagrass: 1 to 2 1⁄2 inches (2.5 to 6.5 cm)

• St. Augustine: 3 to 4 inches (7.5 to 10 cm)

• Fescue: 3 to 4 inches (7.5 to 10 cm)

Cool-Season Grasses - Found in Canada and the Northern United States

You will want to:

• Mow to 2 1⁄2 to 3 1⁄2 inches (6.5 to 7.5 cm) most of the time

• But mow to 3 1⁄2 to 4 inches (7.5 to 10 cm) in peak summer heat

When the lawn is kept a little higher during these stressful summer conditions, it will retain moisture and reduce the chances of heat stress and drought.

Pro Tip: Always Sharpen Lawn Mower Blades

A dull lawnmower blade can tear the grass instead of cutting it clean. This can slow the healing process and leave you open to a possible turf disease attack.

You’re going to want to have your blade sharpened as soon as you buy a new lawnmower. It may surprise you to learn that factory blades on new mowers aren’t sharp.

From there, you will want to sharpen it once or twice a year, depending on how often you’re mowing.

Of course, you can find YouTube videos that show you how to remove a lawn mower blade, as well as how to sharpen a lawn mower blade. But there are also local small businesses and hardware stores that can take care of this for you.

How Often Should I Mow My Lawn?

This depends on how much rain and sunshine your area is getting, which will dictate how quickly your lawn grows.

• Peak periods may need you to mow more than once a week

• Slow periods may stretch that to once every two weeks. Maybe more

The Rule of Thumb That Most People Don’t Know

Never cut more than 1/3 of the leaf blade in a single cutting.

Removing too much will stress the grass and can cause it to turn brown. This means that if your lawn has grown excessively long, you should raise your mower to the highest setting before mowing.

Should I Bag My Clippings?

Bagging your clippings is not only a pain, but it could also actually hurt your lawn.

Returning your clippings to your lawn (or grasscycling, as it is known) is good for the environment and good for your lawn.

Letting the clippings decompose on your lawn gives valuable nutrients back into the soil. The only time you should remove clippings from your lawn is if they are excessively long and will smother the grass.

The Most Common Lawn Mowing Mistakes

Don’t undo any of your good work by committing any of these mistakes.

Try Not to Stick to the Exact Same Path Every Time You Mow

Change the direction of your path to keep the grass growing strong and straight and to reduce weed growth.

Avoid Mowing When a Lawn Disease is Active

This will prevent the spread of the disease.

Can You Mow the Lawn When the Grass is Wet?

We get this question a lot. Can you mow a wet lawn?

You always want to avoid mowing after rain or watering. Wait for it to dry to prevent the risk of lawn disease, torn, fraying grass blades, and even damage to your mower.

Want the Best Yard in the Neighbourhood This Year?

Of course, having the perfect lawn requires a lot more than just proper mowing. It also requires expert watering, fertilization, and aeration.

It can be a lot to manage on your own. But we can help!

We can be your lawn care MVPs and help you grow the best lawn in the neighbourhood! You can start right now by answering a few quick questions about your lawn.