In previous posts, I’ve primarily talked about the height of cut for warm season grass which is mostly Bermudagrass, and why shorter is usually better.

Let’s now look at cool season grasses:

Think for a minute about where you see the shortest mowed grass in the world…typically on athletic fields and golf courses – equally cool season as warm season grasses.  It is also the most beautiful grass you will find.  This in itself is enough to dispel the notion that grass has to be long to be high quality; in fact just the opposite is true as long as several general principals are applied.

Firstly, consider that golf greens are mowed shorter than 1/8th of an inch in today’s game and yet still have good quality roots systems and are incredibly dense.  How is this possible?  Sound cultural practices.

The grass isn’t allowed to grow up to two or three inches and then chopped to an 1/8th.  It’s mowed everyday and just a small amount of leaf blade is removed.  You can do the same thing in the realm of residential cutting, get great exercise, and have the best lawn on the block!  I’m not suggesting that you mow every day, that wouldn’t be necessary even if you wanted to.  But assume you mow your lawn at 1½ inches.  You may need to mow it every 5-7 days, but it will not be difficult and your lawn will respond exceptionally well.

The reel mower cut has significant advantages  over a rotary mower.  Reel lawn mowers leave behind clean-cut grass, as if the grass had been cut with sharp scissors – this cylinder cutting method reduces disease, reduces clipping accumulation and other negative environmental factors we have discussed before.  Another added benefit to the reel mower and a lower mowing height is the extra density you will see in your lawn.  When each grass blade is able to stand straight up on its own and not shade the blades around it, more blades will develop generating a lusher stand of grass.  The thicker the lawn, the harder it is for weeds to invade.  The best defense against weeds is not a bag of weed killer but a strong stand of turfgrass to prevent their encroachment. A frequent cut with a reel mower will insure that clippings do not accumulate at a negative rate and keep the lawn looking good all the time.  You can tailor a program to whatever you have time for and exactly how long you want your grass to be.  If you can find a little extra time to mow frequently you will be amazed at the results.  Trust me.

Please don’t be fooled, a higher cutting height is NOT better for the grass!!