[cfleming001]

Hi All,

First post so please bare with me. I am getting a little confused by all the Internet-YouTube Information out there on Mowing heights.

As stated I live in Upstate NY and have a Cool season mix but it is mostly Rye from what I can tell.

What is the correct height to mow at or at least and average recommendation. I see a lot of people mowing really low, but have always been told to move higher so I have been cutting at about the 4" mark. I have 17K to mow and it gets full sun so in summer I have seen grass go a little dormant, I do have a in ground sprinkler system and I am now changing it to do the 1" per week rule, i.e. one long run once a week method.

So my question I know is kinda vague but can someone please let me know there thoughts on what I should be mowing my lawn at? I do not have a preference on height and 4" is fine with me, but if there are benefits to mowing it shorter I would like to hear them

Thanks for any help!!!

Chad, NY

 

[SNOWBOB11]

Mowing shorter than 4" doesn't have any benefits to the grasses health necessarily. A lot of the people you see mowing lower do it because they like the look more than because it is better for the lawn. Not that I'm saying mowing low is bad for the health of the grass. If you have a mix to mostly rye mowing at 3-4" is fine. It's more important to mow often and not to cut off more than 1/3 of the grass blade at one time.

 

[g-man]

So there pros and cons to each one.

Long
Pro - keeps the soil temp lower since the sun can't hit it. Can be mowed less often.
Cons- mats down and prevent airflow which could lead to fungus. Also it needs more water since it has more surface area

Short
Pro - more airflow. Encourage lateral grow/spreading
Cons - warm temps and sun bakes it, more frequent mowing needed

Find a happy medium that works for you. Since you have irrigation, I would keep at 3in or lower, but I'm bias to low mow (1in).

 

[cfleming001]

SnowBOB1 Thanks for the quick reply. I do try to stick to the 1/3 rule and mow approx 2x a week depending on growth patterns. Just want to make sure I am not encouraging fungus-disease and such with a a higher grass. Its been raining about every 3rd day here lately so I am concerned about brown patch soon. This spring I also started using Humic N-Ext bio Stimulant Pack from Green County Fert. I will see how the Fall Over Seed works with the Humic and Milo change this year.

Thanks Again! Chad NY

 

[mmacejko]

Cool season mix for me in Ohio. I mow 2.5" first cut of the year, 3.5" mostly rest of year, 4" if weather doesn't allow me to mow regularly (like now - rain), 4" in summer if lack of rain (3.5" if I can), then 2.5" for last cut of the year.

 

[cfleming001]

Cool season mix for me in Ohio. I mow 2.5" first cut of the year, 3.5" mostly rest of year, 4" if weather doesn't allow me to mow regularly (like now - rain), 4" in summer if lack of rain (3.5" if I can), then 2.5" for last cut of the year.

Thanks mmacejko: Sounds like something I should do, I do mow first cut low 2.75 and last cut low 2.5 already but I like the 3.5 after first cut til summer rolls in then stick 4" Mid June until late Aug then back to 3.5".

Like the way your doing it. Appreciate the feedback!