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Cut lengths

#1

FLS12

FLS12

What is an ideal length to cut the grass in the spring and the summer. I know that grass should be cut longer in the summer so that the sun does not burn the roots, but what's a goo length


#2

Ric

Ric

Depends on the type of grass you're cutting, most all grass from Bermuda to St Augustine have different cutting heights.

Grass TypeMowing Height
Bahia grass2½” – 4”
Bentgrass¼” – ¾”
Bermuda½” – 2½”
Buffalograss2” – 4”
Centipede1½” – 2½”
Fine fescue2½” – 3”
Kentucky Bluegrass1½” – 3½”
Ryegrass1½” – 2½”
St. Augustine2½” – 3½”
Tall fescue2” – 4”
Zoysia½” – 2”


#3

wjjones

wjjones

Ric said:
Depends on the type of grass you're cutting, most all grass from Bermuda to St Augustine have different cutting heights.

Grass TypeMowing Height
Bahia grass2ｽ 4納/TD]
Bentgrassｼ ｾ納/TD]
Bermudaｽ 2ｽ納/TD]
Buffalograss2 4納/TD]
Centipede1ｽ 2ｽ納/TD]
Fine fescue2ｽ 3納/TD]
Kentucky Bluegrass1ｽ 3ｽ納/TD]
Ryegrass1ｽ 2ｽ納/TD]
St. Augustine2ｽ 3ｽ納/TD]
Tall fescue2 4納/TD]
Zoysiaｽ 2納/TD]
[TD]
[TD]
[TD]
[TD]
[TD]
[TD]
[TD]
[TD]
[TD]
[TD]
[TD]
Click to expand...



You forgot Crabgrass = Burn it.:laughing:


#4

FLS12

FLS12

Thanks... Guess now I need to learn what each type of grass looks like. Kentucky Bluegrass just seems so common up here in northern Indiana


#5

djdicetn

djdicetn

Ric said:
Depends on the type of grass you're cutting, most all grass from Bermuda to St Augustine have different cutting heights.

Grass TypeMowing Height
Bahia grass2ｽ 4納/TD]
Bentgrassｼ ｾ納/TD]
Bermudaｽ 2ｽ納/TD]
Buffalograss2 4納/TD]
Centipede1ｽ 2ｽ納/TD]
Fine fescue2ｽ 3納/TD]
Kentucky Bluegrass1ｽ 3ｽ納/TD]
Ryegrass1ｽ 2ｽ納/TD]
St. Augustine2ｽ 3ｽ納/TD]
Tall fescue2 4納/TD]
Zoysiaｽ 2納/TD]
[TD]
[TD]
[TD]
[TD]
[TD]
[TD]
[TD]
[TD]
[TD]
[TD]
[TD]
Click to expand...

Ric,
That's VERY good information...thanks for sharing that. Also, isn't the best thing to do is cut a little higher than the "minimum" and cut often(using the "1/3 rule" where you cut the grass when it is 1/3 taller than the desired height)? And if you are striping, wouldn't some of those grass types' minimum that are 1/4" to 1/2" be way too short for the striper to bend the remaing grass blades to get a good striping effect? Just trying to learn all the mowing insider info:0)


#6

djdicetn

djdicetn

FLS12 said:
Thanks... Guess now I need to learn what each type of grass looks like. Kentucky Bluegrass just seems so common up here in northern Indiana
Click to expand...

FLS12,
Is that a Dixon Ultra in your avatar?? I almost pulled the string on a Dixon DX100 last fall, but the Gravely beat it out. If that's your current mower, how do you like it?


#7

Ric

Ric

djdicetn said:
Ric,
That's VERY good information...thanks for sharing that. Also, isn't the best thing to do is cut a little higher than the "minimum" and cut often(using the "1/3 rule" where you cut the grass when it is 1/3 taller than the desired height)? And if you are striping, wouldn't some of those grass types' minimum that are 1/4" to 1/2" be way too short for the striper to bend the remaing grass blades to get a good striping effect? Just trying to learn all the mowing insider info:0)
Click to expand...

I would guess like you say cut a little higher than the "minimum" and cut often(using the "1/3 rule" ) but that's a problem for some especially if they're paying clients. Using the 1/3 rule is better on the grass, mower and the guy doing the cutting. As far as striping goes your talking to the wrong guy I don't like striping, never have I think it makes a residential lawn look ridiculous. It has its place like on athletic fields and such and it's fine but not on someones home but that's just my opinion. As far as the minimum heights are concerned my guess is they would be better to use on like Bermuda and such as that is what is used on ball fields and they strip the heck out of those, just guessing.


#8

lawn mower fanatic

lawn mower fanatic

djdicetn said:
Ric,
That's VERY good information...thanks for sharing that. Also, isn't the best thing to do is cut a little higher than the "minimum" and cut often(using the "1/3 rule" where you cut the grass when it is 1/3 taller than the desired height)? And if you are striping, wouldn't some of those grass types' minimum that are 1/4" to 1/2" be way too short for the striper to bend the remaing grass blades to get a good striping effect? Just trying to learn all the mowing insider info:0)
Click to expand...

Yes, if you cut the grass short it won't stripe as well because it is not bending the grass over as much and not reflecting as much light. In general, striping works better if you cut the grass on the longer side. Read this information to learn more: SCAG POWER EQUIPMENT - Lawn Striping and Lawn Patterns - How Do They Work? :smile:


#9

Carscw

Carscw

If your going to keep your grass at 1/4 inch would be best to use a ten blade reel mower with rollers

(( racing is the only sport that you need two balls ))


#10

X-man

X-man

wjjones said:
You forgot Crabgrass = Burn it.:laughing:
Click to expand...

Sounds good to me :thumbsup:


#11

djdicetn

djdicetn

Ric said:
I would guess like you say cut a little higher than the "minimum" and cut often(using the "1/3 rule" ) but that's a problem for some especially if they're paying clients. Using the 1/3 rule is better on the grass, mower and the guy doing the cutting. As far as striping goes your talking to the wrong guy I don't like striping, never have I think it makes a residential lawn look ridiculous. It has its place like on athletic fields and such and it's fine but not on someones home but that's just my opinion. As far as the minimum heights are concerned my guess is they would be better to use on like Bermuda and such as that is what is used on ball fields and they strip the heck out of those, just guessing.
Click to expand...

Ric,
I kinda feel similarly about striping because I think is more of a "passing fad" than anything. If I invested in a striping kit, I wouldn't spend a lot of $ on it and I would only use it occaisionally(maybe every 3 or 4 cuttings) just to give the yard a "different" look. But just like many "fads", I'm sure that for lawn care professionals there are those customers who "insist" on having their lawn striped. If one of your existing customers(or a new prospective customer) told you they want you to stripe their lawn(and maybe threaten to go to another service to get that done) what would you do???


#12

Ric

Ric

djdicetn said:
Ric,
I kinda feel similarly about striping because I think is more of a "passing fad" than anything. If I invested in a striping kit, I wouldn't spend a lot of $ on it and I would only use it occaisionally(maybe every 3 or 4 cuttings) just to give the yard a "different" look. But just like many "fads", I'm sure that for lawn care professionals there are those customers who "insist" on having their lawn striped. If one of your existing customers(or a new prospective customer) told you they want you to stripe their lawn(and maybe threaten to go to another service to get that done) what would you do???
Click to expand...

Personally if I had a client ask me to stripe there lawn I'd tell them NO, if they told me they would find someone else if I didn't do what they asked I'd tell them have at it and good luck. There are to many people who want lawn work done to fool around with someone. The thing is I schedule my work daily. My clients know the day there lawn will be cut. I know where we will be and what time I'm going to be there unless it rains and then it's catch up time.


#13

djdicetn

djdicetn

Ric said:
Personally if I had a client ask me to stripe there lawn I'd tell them NO, if they told me they would find someone else if I didn't do what they asked I'd tell them have at it and good luck. There are to many people who want lawn work done to fool around with someone. The thing is I schedule my work daily. My clients know the day there lawn will be cut. I know where we will be and what time I'm going to be there unless it rains and then it's catch up time.
Click to expand...

Ric,
Sounds like you run a tight ship with your lawn care business and stick to your "business plan/rules", which is an admirable trait to most customers. It's probably in your interest to lose a customer or two rather than change the way you operate and take a chance on losing customers for other "non-trivial" reasons. Sometimes the two basic rules of business dont always apply:
1)The customer is always right.
2)When the customer is wrong.......refer to Rule#1.
:0)


#14

S

sgmgarden

During the summer you will more than likely have to increase the number of times you cut your grass. If the conditions are ideal then you should try and cut your grass around twice a week to keep it looking good. However, try not to cut your grass too short as it can cause more damage and encourages the likes of unwanted weeds and moss to start growing. I hope this helps


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