Comments on: Height of Cut Continued Part 2

By: andy

andy — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 20:48:58 +0000

Hi Jim,
This is an excellent question.

To identify St. Augustinegrass one of the most useful characteristics is the leaf collar. While the blade and the sheath are broad, the collar is narrow and constricted. The blade usually takes a 90-degree angle from the sheath at the collar. St. Augustinegrass also has a “boat shaped tip” vs. a flat tip.

Bermudagrass has small hairs around its inner ligule (the structure which grows from the collar on the inside of the leaf). The leaf should be folded (not rounded) in vernation.

This is a great topic – we’ll be sure to talk more about this later. Please let us know if you have any more questions!

By: Jim Marks

Jim Marks — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 20:00:17 +0000

I just purchased a property in Houston, TX. I’m originally from the Mid-Atlantic and then lived in New England for over 15 years. I have no experience with warm season grasses. I’m having a hard time determining if my lawn is Bermuda or St. Augustine grass. I think it is St. Augustine, because it seems much more coarse and broad leaved, but all the images I can find using a quick Google image search aren’t high enough resolution to be certain. Is there a simple way to tell the difference? I want to be sure I’m setting my reel mower to the correct height.

Thanks.

By: Reel Lawn Mower

Reel Lawn Mower — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 10:41:46 +0000

[...] What is the best height to cut the grass on your lawn? | Eco … [...]

By: Miriam Goldberger

Miriam Goldberger — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 12:23:46 +0000

I am a big fan of your site. I’ve been reading it personally for a while now. I like that it’s simply designed and lawn focused in an ecologically sound way.

I especially loved the way you feature those tremendously cool antique lawn mowers. You really are doing a great job educating people about lawns, equipment and correct techniques!

I’ve been meaning to get in touch with you. I was quite interested to come across your article (Height of Cut Part 2) on cutting lawns to correct heights; I like the way you detail the information. There are far too many incorrect generalizations being made in the name of green lawn care these days.

My company has spent years developing and now promoting a fully enviro-friendly, low maintenance lawn alternative called Eco-Lawn. A proprietary blend of 7 fine fescues, Eco-Lawn is a potentially perfect lawn for fans of ecomowers.. Fine fescues grow naturally in the woods and in open meadows so they perform well in the shade as well as the full sun. I wanted to bring this to your attention because of your comment “That is one of the reasons you have such a hard time growing grass under those large shade trees in your yard, no sun. Three inch grass blades and longer only serve to shade themselves, like when we wear a hat and this shade inhibits photosynthesis. ” In fact, Eco-Lawn germinates faster in the shade! You can check it out at http://www.eco-lawn.com .

I’d love for you to try it. Please be in touch and keep up the great work.

Miriam Goldberger

Widlflower Farm Inc.
http://www.wildflowerfarm.com
1-866-GRO-WILD