When it comes to mowing your lawn, it's important to know how long you should keep the grass. After all, cutting it too short can stress out your turf and leave it susceptible to diseases and pests, while leaving it too tall can make it look messy and unkempt. However, the ideal grass height varies depending on your specific grass type in Florida. Bahia and Zoysia lawns should be kept around 3 inches, while St. Augustine requires a minimum of 4 inches. To ensure you don't cut your grass too short and cause it stress, it's best to follow a general rule of thumb: never remove more than 1/3 off the top of the blades. For optimal results, though, hiring professionals is your best bet!


Your Grass Type Dictates How Long You Should Keep It When Mowing

Mowing at the right height will prevent stressing out your lawn and causing damage to the grass! However, different grass types require certain lengths for proper maintenance; others can tolerate going shorter, while some need to stay longer. For example, Bahia and Zoysia lawns typically should be kept around 3 inches; these are warm-season grasses that grow quickly and thrive in hot weather. Meanwhile, St. Augustine needs to be at least 4 inches to maintain its lush appearance. While knowing the length requirements of your grass is crucial for keeping it healthy, it's also vital to avoid cutting it too short!

Keeping your grass at an ideal height promotes even growth across your entire lawn and helps crowd out weeds by making it less conducive for them to establish.

Never Cut More Than 1/3 Off the Top of the Grass Blades When Mowing

A recently mowed lawn in New Smyrna Beach, FL, up-close.

A good rule of thumb to follow when mowing your lawn is to never cut more than 1/3 off the top of the grass blades. If you do, you risk stressing out and damaging your lawn, which can hinder its ability to absorb nutrients efficiently. On the other hand, if you leave it too tall, it can give it a messy, unkempt appearance. By maintaining this level of precision, you help promote strong, healthy grass growth, which is essential for creating a vibrant, attractive lawn.


Hire Pros to Mow Your Lawn & Let Them Handle the Grass Maintenance

If you want to take the guesswork out of mowing your lawn and ensure you get the job done right, consider hiring pros! Professionals have the expertise and knowledge of what your grass needs to thrive throughout the growing season, including how tall or short to cut your grass based on your turf type. Additionally, hiring pros means they will always adhere to the proper mowing techniques, such as not removing more than 1/3 off the top of the grass blades. Not only does this protect your lawn from potential damage, but it also allows them to return to your property multiple times per week to mow it. That way, it stays neat and manicured year-round!


Call us today to sign up for our professional lawn mowing service!

At Leafy Landscapes, we offer our professional lawn mowing service to residential properties in New Smyrna Beach, Port Orange, Ponce Inlet, FL, and surrounding areas. Our team follows best practices when mowing your lawn to ensure it stays healthy and pristine, like rotating our mowing patterns every visit and adjusting our mower's deck height based on your grass type. We also routinely sharpen our mower blades to provide clean cuts each time. With our 16 years of experience, you can trust that we have the skills and knowledge to handle your turf with care. Call us today at (386) 492-8862 to sign up for our professional lawn mowing service.