One of the easiest ways to add curb appeal to a home is with a beautiful lawn. However, many people are not aware that there is actually more to keeping a lawn healthy than just fertilizer and water. With a combination of proper additives, fertilizer, and care, you can have a picture-perfect lawn in as little as one season. An important aspect of lawn care is knowing just how short you need to cut your grass.
The Ideal Height for Cut Grass
People often make the mistake of believing they need to cut their lawn all the time to prevent it from growing too tall. However, cutting can rob the grass of its main food source, which is the grass blades. In addition, keeping the grass taller will shade the ground better to prevent unwanted weed growth and moisture loss.
The ideal height of grass will depend greatly on the climate of the area where you live. However, most experts will agree that you need to keep your grass around 2 ½ to 3 inches tall. The last cut of the season should remain the same.
Cutting Height According to Grass Type
While most cutting heights should be between 2 to 3 inches, there are some exceptions. Zoysia and bermudagrass need to be cut to a maximum of 1 inch. These are warm-season types of grass, which means that they thrive in a temperature between 60-70 degrees.
Cutting Height According to Season
There is not a definite time to stop cutting your lawn each year. There are a number of variables that will determine how your grass grows during the colder times of the year. Whether you live in a region that is particularly cold or hot will play a major role in grass growth throughout the year. A good rule of thumb is as long as the grass continues to grow, you should continue to cut.
Adjusting Your Mower to the Ideal Height
A tape measure is all you need to determine the base height of your lawnmower. Just remember to adjust the wheels while the mower is on a flat surface such as a sidewalk. Keep in mind you should always keep the blades of your lawnmower sharp. This will ensure a clean cut and prevent pulling.
The exact process for adjusting the height of your lawnmower will depend on the mower type. Always check the owner’s manual to make sure that the adjustments are done correctly. On most push mowers, the cutting height is controlled by raising and lowering each of the wheels. For riding mowers, you typically will be able to raise and lower the height of the cutting deck.