As May brings more active lawn growth, check the mower setting before settling into a summer routine. A close cut may look tidy for a day, but repeated scalping can weaken turf. The right height depends on the grass, its growing conditions and the equipment doing the work.
Identify the grass first
Bermuda and zoysia are commonly maintained lower than tall fescue, but their cultivars and mower requirements differ. Centipedegrass needs its own setting as well. A neighboring lawn is not a reliable guide unless you know it has the same grass and conditions.
For tall fescue, NC State recommends a spring mowing height of 2½ to 3½ inches. As summer arrives, its calendar calls for 3½ inches. Avoid applying that recommendation to every warm-season lawn; use the maintenance guidance for the grass actually growing on your property.
Let growth set the schedule
Aim to remove no more than one-third of the grass height during a mowing. A weekly visit may be enough at one point in the season and too infrequent during faster growth. If the grass gets away from you, raise the cutting height and bring it down gradually over later mowings.
Keep mower blades sharp for a clean cut. Check uneven ground, slopes and turns for scraped patches; the same deck setting can scalp a high spot even when the rest of the lawn looks fine.
Coordinate mowing with lawn care
Normally, small clippings can stay on the lawn and return nutrients as they break down. Heavy clumps need attention rather than being left to cover the grass. If a treatment has specific mowing instructions, follow those directions.
Homeowners and commercial property managers should share the grass type and target height with whoever mows. Consistent mowing supports the rest of the lawn-care plan.
For commercial mowing and routine landscape maintenance, see our parent company BT Carawan’s commercial grounds management services.
Seeing thin turf despite regular mowing? Tell Vitalawns what you are noticing and how the lawn is maintained. Request lawn care →