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Choosing the Best Lawnmower Height Setting

May 15, 2012

Lawn Mower cutting grassCutting your lawn at the right mowing height is the single most important thing you can do to keep your lawn healthy. Mowing at the correct height reduces weed problems, contributes to a healthy root system, increases resistance to drought, insects, and diseases, and helps prevent run-off of soil, fertilizers, chemicals, and pollutants.

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When choosing the best lawnmower height setting, the first thing you need to take into account is what type of grass you are growing.

Grass species

Set mower height to
(inches)
Mow at this height
(inches)
Annual ryegrass1 1/2 to 22 1/4 to 3
Perennial ryegrass1 1/2 to 2 1/2 2 1/4 to 3 3/4
Bahia grass1 1/2 to 3 2 1/4 to 4 1/2
Bermuda grass, common1 to 1 1/2 1 1/2 to 2 1/4
Bermuda grass, hybrid1/2 to 13/4 to 1 1/2
Creeping Bentgrass1/2 to 13/4 to 1 1/2
Hard fescue1 1/2 to 2 1/2 2 1/4 to 3 3/4
Kentucky bluegrass1 1/2 to 2 1/2 2 1/4 to 3 3/4
St. Augustine grass1 to 21 1/2 to 3
Tall fescue1 1/2 to 32 1/4 to 4 1/2
Zoysiagrass1/2 to 13/4 to 1 1/2
Buffalo grass1 to 21 1/2 to 3

Grass species have a range of recommended mowing heights, and the chart above is only meant to be a guideline. Lawn experts recommend staying toward the upper end of the ranges given-especially during stressful conditions such as hot weather or drought, or if your lawn is growing in the shade. In cooler weather and under ideal conditions, you can afford to cut the grass a little lower. If you are unsure what type of grass species you have growing, cutting it at a height of 2 1/2 to 3 inches will work for the majority of grass varieties.

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Follow the 1/3 Rule

For a healthy lawn, never cut more than one-third of the grass blade during any one mowing session. If your lawn grows too long, due to wet weather or a busy schedule, increase the cutting height of your mower to the highest possible setting before you mow. Then move the cutting height back to your normal range and cut the lawn again four or five days later.

If you stick to the 1/3 rule, you should never have to worry about bagging the clippings, because the grass clippings will always be short enough to filter down to the soil's surface to decompose and recycle nutrients back into your lawn.

Adjusting the Mowing Height

Mowing your lawn at the correct height keeps the growth thick and vigorous, and reduces the growth of broad-leafed weeds-according to some studies, by as much as 50 to 80%. To set the mowing height on a rotary lawn mower, adjust the blade height levers at each of the lawnmower's wheels. Place the mower on a flat surface like a driveway or sidewalk and push each lever to the setting recommended above.
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If height settings are not indicated on your lawn mower, test the adjustment by mowing a small area of grass, then use a ruler to measure from the soil to the tip of the blade. Remember to only mow when it's dry and to keep the lawnmower's blades sharp.

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Questions

Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.

May 17, 2018

I've looked at lawn mower videos for adjusting the height. The notches close to the ground, is that the shortest cut for the grass and as you move up higher, is that higher cuts of grass? I want the highest cut at the moment. As I am using a neighbour's mower and it is too low and my wheels are loose on my own mower and the adjustments for height are not working at the moment. I am pretty sure the notch closest to the ground is the shortest, but I want to make sure.

Thanks.

Answers


Gold Post Medal for All Time! 677 Posts
May 17, 20180 found this helpful
Best Answer

Yes. This moves the deck to the ground. If you want to go higher, you need to go to the notch furthest away from the wheel.

 
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May 18, 2011

I have read that it is best for your grass to set the lawnmower at it's highest setting. I have also heard just the opposite, that the lowest setting is best. So, I usually just keep mine in the middle. Is better have it higher or lower?

By Jess from Hillsboro, OR

Answers

May 18, 20110 found this helpful

It is best to use a high setting.

 
May 19, 20110 found this helpful

There are two factors you should keep in mind. One, the type of grass and two, the shape of your yard.
You are trying not to kill the grass or create bald spots. The highest setting will prevent both of these things from happening.

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I think it is safe to say that you did not kill any of the grass with your current setting. I would go with it.

 

Silver Feedback Medal for All Time! 282 Feedbacks
May 23, 20110 found this helpful

It depends on your grass type, and the water available-a lot of people like to keep their grass a little longer to encourage strong, drought resistant roots-a grass root is only as long as it's blade.

Some grasses are more drought resistant than others, and some have cultural requirements that dictate the height-the best thing is to know what grass you have.

If it's a mix of different grasses, just mow it to a height slightly higher than your neighbours, lol-your lawn will retain colour better but won't attract disapproving looks or a letter from the HOA.

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By the way, using a mulching blade, and cutting in the old 'checkerboard' pattern will scatter your clippings evenly across your lawn and save you the need for high nitrogen feeding. As the clippings break down they add nitrogen to the soil, and the green is absolutely beautiful! A little bit of extra work in the checkerboard cutting pattern, but well worth it for beauty and savings on expensive feeds. You can keep a bahia grass lawn looking stunning that way, and I can't think of a cheaper, more drought resistant lawn than one made of bahia. Watch that your neighbours or HOA aren't upset if you do have it, though, especially if they have the hugely pricey St Augustine or Bermuda grass lawns-if you're not careful, bahia will erm, migrate. :)

 
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