{"id":1806,"date":"2019-03-29T00:09:48","date_gmt":"2019-03-29T00:09:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lawnlove.wpengine.com\/?p=1806"},"modified":"2023-11-21T22:34:15","modified_gmt":"2023-11-21T22:34:15","slug":"how-often-should-you-mow-your-lawn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-often-should-you-mow-your-lawn\/","title":{"rendered":"How Often to Cut Grass?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you want to keep your grass in prime condition, mowing is one of the best ways to keep your grass healthy and strong. But how often should you mow for optimum health?&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In this article, we\u2019ll discuss how often to mow based on your type of grass and other factors that affect your mowing frequency.<\/p>    <h2 id=\"mowing-by-grass-type\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mowing by grass type<\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The first step in determining how often to mow is to know your grass type. Do you have warm-season grass or cool-season grass? Check this chart below to see the recommended cutting height for your grass type.<\/p>    <figure class=\"wp-block-table aligncenter is-style-stripes\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Grass Name<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Grass Type<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Recommended Height for Home Lawns<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/ipm.missouri.edu\/meg\/2010\/4\/Proper-Mowing-Practices-for-Your-Lawn\/#pubs:~:text=Kentucky%20bluegrass%20lawns%20%E2%80%93%20mow%202.5%20to%203.5%20inches.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kentucky bluegrass<\/a><\/td><td>Cool Season<\/td><td>2.5-3.5 inches<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/simpson.ca.uky.edu\/files\/mowing_your_ky_lawn.pdf#page=2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Perennial ryegrass<\/a><\/td><td>Cool Season<\/td><td>1.5-2.5 inches<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/ipm.missouri.edu\/meg\/2010\/4\/Proper-Mowing-Practices-for-Your-Lawn\/#pubs:~:text=Creeping%20red%20fescues%20%E2%80%93%20mow%203.0%20to%203.5%20inches.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Creeping red fescues<\/a><\/td><td>Cool Season<\/td><td>3-3.5 inches<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/turf.caes.uga.edu\/content\/dam\/caes-subsite\/georgiaturf\/docs\/pcrp2020\/Tall_Fescue_Calendar.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Turf-Type Tall Fescue<\/a>*<\/td><td>Cool Season<\/td><td>2-3 inches<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/turf.caes.uga.edu\/content\/dam\/caes-subsite\/georgiaturf\/docs\/pcrp2020\/Bermudagrass_Lawn_Calendar.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Common bermuda grass<\/a>*<\/td><td>Warm Season<\/td><td>1-2 inches<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/turf.caes.uga.edu\/content\/dam\/caes-subsite\/georgiaturf\/docs\/pcrp2020\/Bermudagrass_Lawn_Calendar.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Hybrid bermuda<\/a>*<\/td><td>Warm Season<\/td><td>1-1 \u00bd inches<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/turf.caes.uga.edu\/content\/dam\/caes-subsite\/georgiaturf\/docs\/pcrp2020\/Centipedegrass_Lawn_Calendar.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Centipede<\/a>*<\/td><td>Warm Season<\/td><td>1-2 inches<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/turf.caes.uga.edu\/content\/dam\/caes-subsite\/georgiaturf\/docs\/pcrp2020\/St_Augustinegrass_Calendar.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">St. Augustine<\/a>*<\/td><td>Warm Season<\/td><td>2-3 inches<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/turf.caes.uga.edu\/content\/dam\/caes-subsite\/georgiaturf\/docs\/pcrp2020\/Zoysiagrass_Calendar.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Zoysia<\/a>*<\/td><td>Warm Season<\/td><td>1-2 inches<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>* Add \u00bd inch to these ranges during the hottest part of the season.<\/li><\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You may see slight variations among publications as to how tall a species should be cut. If you are in doubt as to how tall your grass should be cut, contact a local <a href=\"https:\/\/nifa.usda.gov\/land-grant-colleges-and-universities-partner-website-directory?state=All&amp;type=Extension&amp;order=field_us_states_and_territories&amp;sort=asc#edit-submit-land-grant-map:~:text=States,-Type\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Extension specialist<\/a>.<\/p>    <h2 id=\"follow-the-one-third-rule\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Follow the one-third rule<\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The one-third rule is the best gauge for how often to mow your grass. It simply means that you should only take off one-third of the grass blade per mow. So, for example, if you cut your grass to 2 inches, wait until the grass reaches 3 inches to mow.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cutting off more than one-third of the grass height may not seem like a big deal, but consider these fascinating facts about turf height and the health of your lawn:<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2713 A taller leaf blade generally results in deeper roots<br>\u2713 A deeper root system may help with drought tolerance, stress management, and nutrient use<br>\u2713 A taller cut helps with weed control<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So, next time you\u2019re tempted to cut off an extra inch, resist, and your lawn will reap the benefits.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h2 id=\"other-factors-that-affect-mowing-height\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Other factors that affect mowing height<\/h2>    <h3 id=\"time-of-year\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Time of year<\/h3>    <div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"505\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_grass_zones.png\" alt=\"infographic showing the cool and warm season grasses on the US map, along with the transitional zone\" class=\"wp-image-4479\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_grass_zones.png 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_grass_zones-300x189.png 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_grass_zones-768x485.png 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_grass_zones-610x385.png 610w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_grass_zones-390x246.png 390w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During the height of the growing season, expect your mowing frequency to increase. Conversely, expect to mow less frequently during the shoulder seasons because your lawn is growing more slowly.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Two slow-growing types of grass are centipedegrass and Zoysiagrass. Other grasses have a medium to high mowing frequency, especially during the spring flush and in the fall for cool-season grasses. So, expect to mow more frequently during those times.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Pro Tip:<\/strong> For both warm- and cool-season grasses, cut the lawn slightly lower than the recommended mowing height on the final few cuts in fall and the first few cuts in spring. In between these times, follow the recommended mowing height for your grass type.<\/p>    <h3 id=\"turf-use\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Turf use<\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Home lawns are less strenuous to maintain than professional turf. Athletic fields are mowed as often as once per day because they are mowed very short. Due to their short turf, they must be mowed more often so they don\u2019t cut more than \u2153 of the grass blade at a time.<\/p>    <h2 id=\"basic-lawn-mowing-tips\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Basic lawn mowing tips<\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2713 Keep your mower blades sharp.<br>\u2713 If you have an <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/landscaping-tall-grass\/\">overgrown lawn<\/a>, start out mowing it at the highest setting on your lawnmower. Wait a few days and cut again a little lower. Repeat this process until you reach the optimal height for your grass type.<br>\u2713 Mulch the grass clippings back into the lawn as you mow for a nitrogen boost. Use a mulching lawn mower for the best results.<br>\u2713 Mow between 8-10 a.m. for best results.<br>\u2713 Don\u2019t mow when the grass is wet.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h2 id=\"a-healthy-lawn\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">A healthy lawn<\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As soon as you know what type of grass you have, you should be all set. Just remember to follow the one-third rule and follow our basic mowing tips to have healthy, properly cut grass throughout the growing year.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>If you prefer to have your <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/blog-landscaping-yard-maintenance\/\">lawn maintenance<\/a> chores outsourced to someone who knows the difference between bluegrass and bahiagrass, <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/\"><em>contact a lawn care professional<\/em><\/a><em> to set up an ideal mowing schedule for your lawn.<\/em><\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Main Photo Credit: congerdesign | <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/photos\/lawn-mower-mow-gardening-lawn-5329533\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pixabay<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you want to keep your grass in prime condition, mowing is one of the best ways to keep your [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":30,"featured_media":4892,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cdn.lawnlove.com\/images\/Lawn+Love-25.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"How Often Should you Mow your Lawn","footnotes":""},"categories":[126],"tags":[147],"class_list":["post-1806","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lawn-care-tips","tag-lawn-care"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cdn.lawnlove.com\/images\/Lawn+Love-25.jpg?w=700&fit=700,467&ssl=1","author_info":{"display_name":"Candice Wall","author_link":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/author\/candice-wall\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1806","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/30"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1806"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1806\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4892"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1806"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1806"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1806"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}