Now that your mower blades are ready to go, it's time to start competing for your annual blue ribbon in the Neighborhood Lawn Competition. Follow our guide to learn the proper mowing heights for your lawn, and you'll be leagues above the neighbors. For the healthiest grass, you should mow every 5-7 days while alternating mowing patterns to prevent soil compaction. Feel free to let your grass grow longer in the summertime so you increase the drought resistance of your lawn.
If your grass is too short, it can actually prevent healthy growth patterns and invite weeds; if your grass is too long, you'll quickly find it home to pests. Most lawns can be classified in two categories: cool season and warm season grass.
Warm Season Grass
This type of grass typically grows in the southern regions of the country as it can sustain itself even in the high temperature summers. This tropical grass grows most in the summer, and turns to a brown during the colder months. There are three main kinds of warm season grass:
- Zoysia: This thick but slow growing grass should be kept at 2", or you take the risk of letting it overtake your yard.
- St. Augustine: This grass, found mostly in coastal regions, is characterized by its wide blades. Mower after its height reaches 3".
- Bermuda: Bermuda grass grows best in bright sunlight and when maintained at a steady 2".
Cool Season Grass
Cool season grass can be found in the northern regions as it survives fluctuating temperatures while growing mostly during the spring and fall seasons. As with warm season grass, there are three main types of cool season grass:
- Ryegrass: This is the homeowner's grass, known for its bright green color and fast-growing ability. Mow your ryegrass often, and don't let it exceed 2".
- Fescue: You'll see this grass most often on sports fields. It typically has a slow growth rate, and you can let it grow up to 3" when you're expecting heavy foot traffic.
- Kentucky Bluegrass: Since this grass recovers more easily from foot traffic than it does from high temperatures, you should keep this grass at 2.5" during the peak growing season.
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