Mowing Height For Tall Fescue Grass. Tips from professionals

Are you aiming for a lawn that’s the envy of your neighbors? The solution might be in the mowing height. As experts in lawn maintenance, we hold the key to achieving a lush, green lawn with your tall fescue grass.

Mowing Height For Tall Fescue Grass:

Mow’s tall fescue is 1.5-4 inches. Never cut below 1/3 blade. Use sharp mower blades to prevent tearing. Mow frequently in spring and fall; reduce mowing in the summer heat. Keep the mower deck at the highest setting. Proper mowing promotes thick, healthy turf.

Learn how a slight change in your mowing routine can make a big difference in your lawn’s health and appearance. It’s not about the type of grass or the amount of sunlight but the mowing height. Discover the secret today!

Lawn mowing and mowing height

With the arrival of spring, people mow their lawns weekly to keep their grass healthy and beautiful. Having an eye-catching and attractive lawn makes the home look more beautiful.

However, mowing does not mean just running a lawnmower will give you your desired lawn appearance. Different lawns require different heights of the mower that are suitable for the grass type of your lawn.

The best cutting height depends on the grass type. The change of season may ask for a different height of the mower. Climate change and the frequency with which you mow your lawn also affect your mowing height.

Lawn Care: Best Mowing Practices

It is suggested that you never mow your grass less than 3 inches – 1/3^rd of the grass blade should always be left behind, as cutting the blades more can put the grass under pressure because the growth of roots is reduced, which is essential for drier months.

However, the rainy season requires mowing every 3^rd or 4^th day, depending on the growing speed.

Mowing Height of Various Types of Grass

Mowing height does not remain constant all around a specific region. The change of season and weather also requires a shift in mowing height.

● Weather affecting the mowing height

The spring season requires frequent mowing, as the grass growth rate is very high. If the grass grows taller than you expected, it is suggested that you mow at high settings so that you do not cut the grass too short, which results in surplus clippings. In the hotter season, the growth of grass is very high.

And it requires you to mow your lawn at least twice a week. It is suggested to keep the mowing settings high so you do not cut your grass too short. It also helps the grass fight the hot summer days and dry periods and overcomes the pressure it experiences from extreme conditions.

– Winter Lawn Maintenance: To Mow or Not to Mow

In the fall, your lawns do not require frequent mowing. The growth of grass does not stop but is somewhat slower than in the hotter seasons and keeps growing slower as winter approaches.

Winters, however, might need little to no mowing. The grass grows so slowly that you may not need mowing from November till late March.

● Type of grass affecting the mowing height

Just like different weather conditions affect mowing height, different types of grass also demand changed mowing heights. Different categories of grass grow only during specific times. Therefore, their mowing height requirements are also other.

Cool-season grasses, such as Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, fine fescue, and perennial ryegrass, must be mowed at different recommended heights. Fine fescue recommended mowing height is 1-3 inches.

Tall fescue needs to be cut between 1 ½  and 4 inches, and Kentucky bluegrass between ¾ and 3 ½ inches. Bermuda, a warm-season grass, is recommended to be cut at heights between ½ and 2 ½ inches, and the recommended mowing height of Zoysia grass is between ½ and 2 inches.

Tall Fescue Grass

Tall fescue grass was originated in Europe. In the early 1800s, the United States saw tall fescue for the first time; however, until the mid to late 1900s, tall fescue was not consumed widely as lawn grass and was only found in the meadows.

During this time, a range of tall fescue grass called Kentucky 31 was seen on most lawns. Many more varieties of Tall Fescue for lawns were developed after that, mainly called dwarf-type and turf-type tall fescue.

These included fescue with narrower blades, darker green, and much better hot, cold, shade, and drought tolerance. Tall fescue, also known as shade grass, is famous for its ability to grow in many climate forms. Be it a cool climate, dry, shady, or hot weather.

• Choosing Tall Fescue Grass: A Range of Options

Tall Fescue grass can grow in most of these weather conditions. Rising in its preferred regions, of course, increases the lawn’s flexibility and stability. This grass type allows the lawn owner to choose from various options.

Depending on your location, opting for tall fescue grass for your lawn can be the best choice you’ve ever made, as it is the most flexible and adaptable grass. Tall fescue, also known as the cool-season grass, has a better tolerance to heat, shade, and drought.

The northern and transition areas are the most suitable for tall fescue grass. This grass is resistant to diseases, grows in bunches form, requires minimum care, and has limited self-repairing capacity.

Mowing Height and Proper Mowing of Tall Fescue Grass

The key to a healthier and beautiful-looking lawn is to run through proper mowing routines. Tall Fescue grass must be mowed at 1 ½ to 4 inches.

Most lawnmowers in Virginia do not cut tall fescue grass higher than this. Some lawn mowing service providers recommend keeping the mower’s deck in the highest possible setting.

The mowing height can be checked if you place a ruler on the lawn soil and measure the grass’s length to the tip of the leaf blade. Here are some tips on how you can adequately mow tall fescue grass.

● Avoid cutting tall fescue grass too short

As already highlighted above, Tall Fescue grass grows in bunches. Therefore, it is highly suggested that you mow them tall. By doing so, you can make your lawn grow thicker length-wise as it does not spread horizontally.

In tall fescue, the taller the grass shoots, the more profoundly the roots penetrate. Lengthier leaves allow much better photosynthesis, helping the grass grow and strengthen its roots. Mowing the tall fescue grass higher also helps prevent weeds’ growth.

● Use Sharper Lawn Mower Blades To Prevent Brown Grass

A lawn owner should avoid using a dull mowing blade while cutting tall fescue grass. Using a very sharp mowing blade is suggested.

Mowing tall fescue with a flat blade can tear your leaf blades, so your lawn may experience brown grass, giving you a hay-like appearance. Worn blades also put the grass leaves under pressure, which can negatively affect the lawn and lead to other problems.

At the start of every season, you should use a freshly sharpened lawn mowing blade; even throughout the season, you should frequently check the sharpness. Also, replace the blade or point it if required.

● Be Consistent In Spring and Fall Mowing

As you know, tall fescue grass is also called cool-season grass. It grows majorly in the spring and fall seasons. It is required to mow frequently during these months of the year. 

Along with mowing frequently, you must never cut your grass less than one-third of its height. Mowing your lawn less than one-third of its height can cause severe damage to the grass. However, tall fescues do not increase during hot weather.

– Understanding the Growth of Your Lawn

Thus, reducing the time you mow your lawn is recommended based on its growth. Cutting tall fescue often during the more burning season can significantly impact the lawn in terms of damage.

Properly mowing the Tall Fescue lawn is the most important, easy, and durable way to promote healthier turf. Your mower deck should be leveled to the highest setting available. Use the sharpest blade while mowing, and be frequent in cutting all around the year.

Remarks

Mowing any lawn under drought or heat stress can damage the grass. Correctly mowing gives a clean-looking, healthy, and well-groomed appearance.

Correct and effective ways to mow your tall fescue lawn include doing it when the grass is dry, not using a dull blade, using the prescribed fescue mowing height suitable for your lawn, and cutting when the grass is at least 3 ½ inches tall. Never cut below one-third of the height of your grass blades. 

Ensure your lawnmower is in good condition before you start mowing. Know your lawn and understand the grass types that grow there. Cool-season grass, such as new fescue grass, is the most suitable option for lawn owners as they can enjoy its many advantages.

• Low-Maintenance Grass Types

This type of grass is a very low-maintenance type of grass. It requires bare minimum care and is durable during the hot and drought seasons. The only care it needs is to be mowed in suitable conditions at a proper height.

According to the weather conditions, mow your lawn according to a properly planned schedule and with the right frequency. Using a sharp mower blade, keeping the mower deck at an appropriate height, and following a suitable lawn program will significantly benefit the lawn’s health and appearance.

– Seeking Expert Advice for New Lawn Owners

If you are a new lawn owner, you could ask an expert for more information about your situation. If not possible, ask your neighbors, friends, or family who own a lawn rather than making decisions alone.

In June, you should cut your lawn to 2.5 inches; in August, you should increase the fescue lawn to 3.5 inches. You can reduce the mowing frequency in December due to slower grass growth.

Regular lawn analysis can help you understand the needs of your lawn better. You can get your free lawn analysis today from various online platforms. Remember, mowing tall fescue grass correctly is crucial for maintaining a healthy lawn. Also, don’t forget to use fertilizer for your lawn’s needs.