On the ranking of household chore impact, mowing the lawn may seem frivolous. The reality, however, is that maintaining a healthy lawn length through diligent mowing and lawn care delivers several benefits. For instance, mowing is an effective way to decrease insect populations and to help prevent spring weeds from taking root in your yard. It also helps maintain a healthy and lush lawn by reducing the amount of time needed for watering the lawn. As an added bonus, taking care of your lawn can reduce respiratory problems such as allergies and asthma by exposing less surface area to pollen and dust particles that are prevalent in yards where grasses are not maintained consistently.
In the past, it was common for homeowners to mow their lawns to very low heights. Over time, this practice has been deemed less advantageous. There are many benefits of having a taller lawn that is maintained to shorter cuts per the appropriate season. They include preventing weed growth, fertilizing the lawn with the mulch of grass clippings, and making the lawn healthier overall.
Knowing and implementing the optimal height for your lawn will keep it healthy and aesthetically pleasing all year long. Optimal mowing height for your grass depends on which grass type it is and what the current season is.
According to Barefoot Lawn Care Services, you should cut cool season grass to around 4 inches in the spring, while warm season grasses to around 2 inches. Cutting your grass on the shorter-side this time of year will get rid of any winter damage and set your lawn up for a productive growing season.
Then, in the summer, you should allow warm season grass to grow to 2.5 inches (or as high as 4 inches for Fescue types). Taller grass in hotter months helps to create shade for the soil to retain moisture and support deeper root establishment.
As the season cools, mowing length becomes mid-length for fall. This is when cool season grasses should be cut to around 3 inches.
Cool season grasses include Perennial Ryegrass, Kentucky Bluegrass, and Fescue grasses. Warm season grasses include Bermuda, St. Augustine, Bahia, Centipede, and Zoysia.
According to a report by Washington State University, Kentucky bluegrass is the most commonly used lawn grass in the United States. While it is not well-adapted to western Washington’s soil and climate, it is well-adapted to eastern Washington’s and can be planted as monostands or mixtures. Perennial ryegrass is a grass for use in full sun and has a bunch-type growth habit. Fescues are fine-leaved and are popular for home lawns because they start growing early and blend easily with other grass types.
Whatever your grass type, mowing on a regular basis will help you maintain the health of your lawn. However, you don’t want to simply set a schedule and stick to it, as it matters more that you optimize for the adequate grass heights suited to the climate and grass type. According to the lawn and agriculture resource company Pennington, you never want to cut more than one third of your grass blades when mowing, as cutting more than that reduces the carbohydrates that support healthy grass growth. This is particularly important in the summer months. If it helps you get into the habit, set regular mowing reminders for yourself with an alert to first measure your grass before completing the chore.
Sticking to these guidelines will help you maintain your lawn for a longer life, deeper root system, and overall more attractive appearance.
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