What is the best height to mow my lawn this time of year — 2, 2 1/2 or 3 inches? I have someone mow my lawn now and the last time he mowed it too short.
The leaves of all plants are where food is manufactured. Leaves absorb sunlight and combine carbon dioxide with water to create carbohydrates for growth and energy in a process called photosynthesis. More leaf area means more food production and healthier grass.
During cool spring weather, lawns mowed either short or long will grow well. It is during hot, dry, summer weather when longer mowing height will make a big difference. Research has shown that grass root depth is directly proportional to leaf blade length. The longer the grass, the deeper the roots. Deeper roots withstand drought better and can go longer between irrigations.
The general rule in mowing grass is to not remove more than 40 percent of the leaf blade. If grass is mowed at a 1-inch height, it should be mowed when it reaches 1 3/4 inches. If mowed at 2 inches, it can wait until it reaches 3 1/2 inches. So the longer you mow grass, the longer the interval between mowing times. If you wait until the grass is 3 or 4 inches and then mow at 1 inch or less, it damages the lawn. Golf course putting greens, which are mowed at a fraction of an inch, are mowed every day. Golf course fairways are mowed every 3 days.
