Mowing Tips

Proper mowing is one of the most important aspects of turf care, yet it's often one of the least respected. Mowing supports strong root development, plant vigor, and helps control weeds and disease. While each turfgrass variety has specific needs, the following general rules apply to most lawns.

Key Guidelines for Better Mowing

• Mow regularly.
  Mow often enough that you're not removing more than one-third of the blade height at any given time. Typically, mowing once a week is sufficient, but during periods of rapid growth, you may need to mow every five days.

• Never remove more than one-third of the blade at once.
  Taking off too much at once (often referred to as "scalping") weakens the grass, promotes shallow roots, and increases vulnerability to weeds and stress. If your lawn gets too tall, reduce it gradually, waiting about three days between mowings as you lower the height setting.

• Use a sharp mower blade.
  Dull blades tear the grass instead of cutting it cleanly, which can cause discoloration and make the lawn more susceptible to disease. For Bermuda, Fescue, or Bluegrass, sharpen your blade about twice a year or every 10–15 hours of mowing. For Zoysia, Centipede, or St. Augustine grass, sharpening even more often is recommended.

• Vary your mowing pattern.
  Mowing in the same direction every time can train the grass to grow sideways and lay flat, reducing visual quality. Change your pattern weekly—for example, mow north-south one week, then east-west the next.

• Don’t bag your clippings.
  Unless your lawn is severely overgrown or you're intentionally scalping (like Bermuda in spring or Fescue before fall aeration), allow clippings to fall. They return nutrients and moisture to the soil and do not contribute to thatch buildup.

• Cut at the right height.
  Every turf type performs best at a certain mowing height. Cutting too short removes stored nutrients, encourages weak rooting, and increases weed pressure. Cutting too high can also lead to excessive thatch in warm-season lawns.

Suggested Mowing Heights by Grass Type

• Tall Fescue: 3" – 4" — The warmer the climate, the taller this grass can be cut.

• Bermuda: 1.0" – 2.5" — Grass should end the season higher than it begins.

• Bluegrass/Rye: 1.0" – 2.5"

• Zoysia: 0.5" – 2.0"

• Centipede: 1.0" – 2.0"

• St. Augustine: 1.5" – 3.0"
  

Source for parts of this table: Principles of Turfgrass Management, The University of Georgia