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Why do so many people cut there grass this short?
I will guess about 75% of the yards I cut next door to cut there grass right down to the dirt.

This guy has nice weed free grass ( the one on the left ) I cut the HUD home on the right ( all weeds ) and looks better.



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

Carscw said:

Why do so many people cut there grass this short?
I will guess about 75% of the yards I cut next door to cut there grass right down to the dirt.

This guy has nice weed free grass ( the one on the left ) I cut the HUD home on the right ( all weeds ) and looks better.

<img src="http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15291"/>

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

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Laziness they cut it short so they can wait longer to cut it

exotion said:

Laziness they cut it short so they can wait longer to cut it

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No don't think that's it he cuts it every week.
I even see lawn care guys doing it

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

Carscw said:

No don't think that's it he cuts it every week.
I even see lawn care guys doing it

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

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That's even worse. I cut at 3 in or longer if lawn is getting scalped.

exotion said:

That's even worse. I cut at 3 in or longer if lawn is getting scalped.

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In our area, most people cut at 3 inches, but some cut at around 2.5". But I can't think of ANY reason why you would cut at like 0.5" like that guy did. And it's a professional?? :confused3:

Carscw said:

Why do so many people cut there grass this short?
I will guess about 75% of the yards I cut next door to cut there grass right down to the dirt.

This guy has nice weed free grass ( the one on the left ) I cut the HUD home on the right ( all weeds ) and looks better.

View attachment 15291

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

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my parents cut there grass way to short for my taste to i cut at 3.5 inches and they cut it to the dirt but the reason they do that is my mom is deathly affraid of snakes and wants to see whats in the yard when shes out in the grass

Maybe they are golfers and use it as a putting green - LOL

HarryHarley said:

Maybe they are golfers and use it as a putting green - LOL

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Ha ha the ball would get lost in the holes the blades have dug

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

Carscw said:

Ha ha the ball would get lost in the holes the blades have dug

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

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Ya... and golfers usually want green and level

I know there are factors to consider like what type grass and what climate zone you're in w'ever. But I've read there are 2-3 decent reasons to choose a tall height. I don't know of any reason to choose a low height. (there may be some)

tall grass 'may' be less likely to have more than 1/3 it's blade length cut (I think that's the general recommendation)

tall grass shades it's own blades and root system.

Tall grass makes it more difficult for weed seeds to get down to the soil.

1 Lucky Texan said:

I know there are factors to consider like what type grass and what climate zone you're in w'ever. But I've read there are 2-3 decent reasons to choose a tall height. I don't know of any reason to choose a low height. (there may be some)

tall grass 'may' be less likely to have more than 1/3 it's blade length cut (I think that's the general recommendation)

tall grass shades it's own blades and root system.

Tall grass makes it more difficult for weed seeds to get down to the soil.

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I agree with statements #2 and #3, but I don't know if #1 is true, because I always cut at 3" and a lot of the time I'm cutting more than 1/3 off, which is the rule. Your statement is true if one time you cut short and then the next time you decide to cut longer, but once you always cut at a tall height, it doesn't hold true.

lawn mower fanatic said:

I agree with statements #2 and #3, but I don't know if #1 is true, because I always cut at 3" and a lot of the time I'm cutting more than 1/3 off, which is the rule. Your statement is true if one time you cut short and then the next time you decide to cut longer, but once you always cut at a tall height, it doesn't hold true.

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yeah, it's just a gut feel. I figure if someone cuts at - say 1.5" - they may be tempted to wait much longer than it takes those blades to get to - say 2", than someone under the same conditions cuts at 3" is unlikely to wait till the grass gets to 4". It probably grows slower at that height too. I too can say there are times I'm cutting a little more than 1/3 off. I just think those conditions would be worse if I was cutting shorter! Of course, I suppose there ARE folks who could diligently cut their grass 2 or 3 times a week and abide by the rule.

It just seems easier to abide by the 'rule' at taller heights.

When the weather is hot outside, you should try not to cut the grass too short. This tends to cause further problems for your lawn, as it encourages moss and unwanted weeds.

sgmgarden said:

When the weather is hot outside, you should try not to cut the grass too short. This tends to cause further problems for your lawn, as it encourages moss and unwanted weeds.

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And it can make it brown until the weather cools down or it rains. :thumbdown:

We have several customers that will not hear of cutting their grass higher than 2". Around here few people want theirs cut more than once every two weeks so basically we are doing light bush hogging every time we cut grass this time of year.

Why ????



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

Thats simple not caring. obvisouly they dont care about how it looks. Bet the inside of the house looks like that?

The green grass on the left is my mothers yard.

She is going to go talk to them about how there yard looks.

How can they just leave it looking like this

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

How much work do you this guy will get?

I felt so bad for him I did not ban him from the group.



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

Another possible reason may be the blades having suction to lift the grass blades. The higher you cut, the less your mower blades lift the grass. Maybe they have a crappy mower with a poorly designed deck so they drop the deck to create more suction not realizing the damage they are causing to get every grass blade.

Lost a customer over this yesterday despite my arguments with him he refuses to be put on a 7 day cycle he says 14 is enough. He wants me to cut it short enough to achieve that. This time of year my minimum height for grass is 2 1/2" I don't even like doing that but that's what I was cutting his lawn at.

Yesterday he called me to cancel service saying he still had to mow it on the off week and that I was not cutting to their satisfaction. I argued saying his sprinklers are on daily I cut it as low as I can without destroying it if we could start cutting weekly for a while untill it slows down that will help I even offered him 5 dollars off a cut. That would take him from 50 a month to 80 not really that much.

He called me a scam artist and said he won't be paying me what he owes. Well I work with a collections agency and have documented proof of what he was agreeing to pay and how often. And I have proof of the work and sold his minor 75 dollars to them for 15 dollars and let them deal with him.

That's awesome!!! I hate when people won't pay ughhh. I wonder if the collection agency will mess up his credit?

CauZey said:

That's awesome!!! I hate when people won't pay ughhh. I wonder if the collection agency will mess up his credit?

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They told me there process was to send a bill wait a month send a bill with a final notice stamp. Then if they still don't pay they start calling and sending warning letters if still nothing they put it in their credit report as an outstanding account

Bada$$. My brother has an irrigation company abd he said he has a collection company that does it for 20%

CauZey said:

Bada$$. My brother has an irrigation company abd he said he has a collection company that does it for 20%

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because I am considered "non crucial" they buy peoples debt 5 dollars per 25 so I really don't make any money but that's not why I sell. People need to learn not to screw over the little guy. They think that I am just some kid they can just not pay they don't. Can you not pay your mortgage, utility bills, internet, phone? Didn't think so we are no different if you agree to pay a price for a certain amount of work you need to pay....

exotion said:

Lost a customer over this yesterday despite my arguments with him he refuses to be put on a 7 day cycle he says 14 is enough. He wants me to cut it short enough to achieve that. This time of year my minimum height for grass is 2 1/2" I don't even like doing that but that's what I was cutting his lawn at.

Yesterday he called me to cancel service saying he still had to mow it on the off week and that I was not cutting to their satisfaction. I argued saying his sprinklers are on daily I cut it as low as I can without destroying it if we could start cutting weekly for a while untill it slows down that will help I even offered him 5 dollars off a cut. That would take him from 50 a month to 80 not really that much.

He called me a scam artist and said he won't be paying me what he owes. Well I work with a collections agency and have documented proof of what he was agreeing to pay and how often. And I have proof of the work and sold his minor 75 dollars to them for 15 dollars and let them deal with him.

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Man I hate scum like this.

Your to nice I am real good at writing words in grass with roundup

It's ok if he don't want you to cut his yard any more. But to not pay you for past cuts.

The way you handled it is the right way but my way is more fun

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

Carscw said:

Man I hate scum like this.

Your to nice I am real good at writing words in grass with roundup

It's ok if he don't want you to cut his yard any more. But to not pay you for past cuts.

The way you handled it is the right way but my way is more fun

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

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My dad's stepson wrote f*** y** in his lawn with round up took 2 seasons to go away

I have a customer who owes me 50 won't pay keeps bsn I've been thinkin about round up

CauZey said:

I have a customer who owes me 50 won't pay keeps bsn I've been thinkin about round up

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50 dollars worth a law suit or being forced to re sod?

being ignorant or stupid about lawncare is one thing, but not paying what you owe is completely different and I hope you get your $$$.

I have one client that wants me too cut mow her lawn real short! When I say short, the mower hits the ground sometimes and at the it looks like a golf green! The reason for mowing so low is because it grows too fast. She waters every morning and has a company fertilize it. That is why. I do what I have to do even tho I think it is too short. I have to put my mower at 2. I usually adjust it at 3 or 4.

I don't mow lawns for a living but do build landscapes from time to time. If a customer wants to take charge and mow too low or water everyday I retreat and remove myself from the job. Simply put, don't wan't to be tied to failure.

Had a guy ask me if I had a mower that would cut sod.
I said yes my mower can cut grass. He said I know but I have sod not grass.

After I counted to 10 I said sir I do not have a mower to mow sod with.

Lol here's to hoping he meant a sod cutter not a sod mower lol

exotion said:

Lol here's to hoping he meant a sod cutter not a sod mower lol

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No he wanted me to cut his grass but wanted to be sure my mower was for sod

I had a repair customer that cut his grass short like that. When I delivered the job to him I asked him why he cut his grass so short. He told me the reason was that was the way the mower cut his grass. I told him it was very hard on the mower and then showed him how to raise the deck adjustment. He just didn't know how to adjust his mower height. When I go by his house now I see his lawn looks much better now. When it comes to mechanical things some people just don't know. Have you ever talked to the person that mows so short? They might just think that it normal??

reynoldston said:

I had a repair customer that cut his grass short like that. When I delivered the job to him I asked him why he cut his grass so short. He told me the reason was that was the way the mower cut his grass. I told him it was very hard on the mower and then showed him how to raise the deck adjustment. He just didn't know how to adjust his mower height. When I go by his house now I see his lawn looks much better now. When it comes to mechanical things some people just don't know. Have you ever talked to the person that mows so short? They might just think that it normal??

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I have talked to a few people. They just like how it looks short.

I think it looks like ****. By the time it greens back up they scalp it again.

We are all adults why do they block our words. Did someone cry because some of us say S H I T

Carscw said:

We are all adults why do they block our words. Did someone cry because some of us say S H I T

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I knew what you meant by ****. Yes I know most all the 4 letter words and it doesn't mean anything to me what is said. It dose offend some people so why use them when there are many other words that can take its place? I know someone can get bent out of shape when they see it just before they go to the free porn.

Well some of us are adults...

exotion said:

Well some of us are adults...

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I have been told sometimes I do not act like a adult.

I feel once you have grey hair you no longer have to act like a adult.

exotion said:

Well some of us are adults...

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Yes we are mostly adults and live in the real world, and when I get mad at something I can let the four letters words fly as well as the next person. But really what is the object of writing it on this forum? Just to prove how rough you know how to talk??? I am sure there are other ways around it.

My retired neighbor cuts his less than an inch. I believe in his case it is pure boredom. 2-3 times a week.

Maybe they all do it because one guy cuts theirs short and everyone else thinks they have to match. I mow mine long and the neighbor cut his really short so my yard always looks like it needs to be mowed.

When you cut your grass it should still be green when you are done. Not brown

I start the spring off cutting at 3.25. As conditions dry I normally cut around 4 to keep the grass green, I get mixed results, sometimes even at 4" it drys out. I know a lot of people at work who cut as short as possible to kill it so they can cut less. I dont understand why people do this. A yard can really make your property and house look great.

Carscw said:

Why do so many people cut there grass this short?
I will guess about 75% of the yards I cut next door to cut there grass right down to the dirt.

This guy has nice weed free grass ( the one on the left ) I cut the HUD home on the right ( all weeds ) and looks better.

View attachment 15291

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

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Marbles :wink:
I see pros here cut it damn near that short. I'm guessing the customer requested it. My first cut of the season is short but not that short. I explain the benefits of 3" to 3 1/2" heights and weekly cuts for St Augustine.

Buckeye10 said:

I start the spring off cutting at 3.25. As conditions dry I normally cut around 4 to keep the grass green, I get mixed results, sometimes even at 4" it drys out. I know a lot of people at work who cut as short as possible to kill it so they can cut less. I dont understand why people do this. A yard can really make your property and house look great.

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Nice green cut grass really makes the whole property look so much better.

My front yard is Bermuda I keep it at a inch. But cut it about every 4 days

Why? Because the grass type and grow zone can support low cutting heights. This may not be the case in Kentucky and the question can be better answered if the grow zone, grass type, and mower type is known.

Kentucky is different than many areas since seed suppliers suggest both warm and cool season grass types and recommend, ironically, turf type fescue over Kentucky bluegrass. Local Universities often have the best information.

AGR-52: Selecting the Right Grass for Your Kentucky Lawn

Table 1. Mowing heights for Kentucky lawns.

http://www2.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/AGR/AGR209/AGR209.pdf

Grass species Optimum height (inches)

Bermudagrass 1.0 - 2.0
Kentucky bluegrass 2.0 - 3.5
Perennial ryegrass 1.5 - 2.5
Tall fescue 2.0 - 3.5
Zoysiagrass 1.0 - 3.0

I am beginning to transition my lawn to a Colonial Bent Grass / Fine Fescue mix and plan to mow at about 1 inch and may test it even lower the fall. Western Washington has mild weather and plenty of moisture most of the year. My growing zone, grass type and powered reel mower allows close mowing that is not likely practical in Kentucky depending on the grass type planted in the referenced lawn.

This was taken yesterday and is 3 weeks after scarifying, core aerating, top dressing, leveling and over seeding. It is thinner in spots than the picture shows but it is filling in nicely and mowing at 1 inch should pose no problem and lower cuts are possible for my blend.

GeorgeR said:

Why? Because the grass type and grow zone can support low cutting heights. This may not be the case in Kentucky and the question can be better answered if the grow zone, grass type, and mower type is known.

Kentucky is different than many areas since seed suppliers suggest both warm and cool season grass types and recommend, ironically, turf type fescue over Kentucky bluegrass. Local Universities often have the best information.

AGR-52: Selecting the Right Grass for Your Kentucky Lawn

Table 1. Mowing heights for Kentucky lawns.

http://www2.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/AGR/AGR209/AGR209.pdf

Grass species Optimum height (inches)

Bermudagrass 1.0 - 2.0
Kentucky bluegrass 2.0 - 3.5
Perennial ryegrass 1.5 - 2.5
Tall fescue 2.0 - 3.5
Zoysiagrass 1.0 - 3.0

I am beginning to transition my lawn to a Colonial Bent Grass / Fine Fescue mix and plan to mow at about 1 inch and may test it even lower the fall. Western Washington has mild weather and plenty of moisture most of the year. My growing zone, grass type and powered reel mower allows close mowing that is not likely practical in Kentucky depending on the grass type planted in the referenced lawn.

This was taken yesterday and is 3 weeks after scarifying, core aerating, top dressing, leveling and over seeding. It is thinner in spots than the picture shows but it is filling in nicely and mowing at 1 inch should pose no problem and lower cuts are possible for my blend.

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Beautiful lawn. Cut some stars in that upper right corner!

I still don't get why people cut so short.
Mine on the left his on the right.

It's bad when the foreclosed home looks the best in the neighborhood.

We see numerous people who think that the shorter you cut grass the longer you can go without having to cut it again.
We try to cut 2 3/4 to 3" on every yard we cut. I actually lost a yard last summer because I cut it too tall. It was cut at 2 1/4". Lady hired her neighbor's kid. This year she called me back and we got the yard back.

Wow Perfectly Maintained....:thumbsup:

I think it's getting worse. Now I see grass to short on commercial accounts.

I cut about everything at 3 . I have one I cut at 2 not because I want to but its a good account.

RDA.Lawns said:

I cut about everything at 3 . I have one I cut at 2 not because I want to but its a good account.

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I have a few I cut at 2 inches. But we cut them every week. Mostly I don't get this cutting right to the ground.

I like tall thick grass. A yard cut short especially as dry n hot as it is here in east Texas turns brown and dies. We are finally getting some rains .

We cut ours at about 3 but it is St Augustine and it looks real bad short.

As for writing stuff in yards I have heard that if you mix powdered milk and fertilizer together you get a triple whammy, first everyone can read what was written in the yard, the the owner tries to wash the stuff away only to have the yard smell like sour milk and then the fertilizer kicks in and greens up the words for several seasons. I don't know this for a fact just something I heard years ago.

Tom

Pumper54 said:

We cut ours at about 3 but it is St Augustine and it looks real bad short. As for writing stuff in yards I have heard that if you mix powdered milk and fertilizer together you get a triple whammy, first everyone can read what was written in the yard, the the owner tries to wash the stuff away only to have the yard smell like sour milk and then the fertilizer kicks in and greens up the words for several seasons. I don't know this for a fact just something I heard years ago. Tom

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I am going to try this.

Carscw said:

I am going to try this.

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Sure hope you are talking about cutting the grass to 3 ;-)

Tom

Pumper54 said:

Sure hope you are talking about cutting the grass to 3 ;-) Tom

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No not this part. The other part.

Carscw
OK, LMAO

"Bad boy, bad boy whatcha goin do when they come for you, bad boy"
Tom

He may be thinking of putting "I Love You Honey" in his yard for his wife. Who are we to judge.:laughing:

I started this thread 3 years ago and just noticed my spelling error.

That is funny. I thought you spelled it that way for a reason.

BlazNT said:

That is funny. I thought you spelled it that way for a reason.

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Same here
Tom

BlazNT said:

That is funny. I thought you spelled it that way for a reason.

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Now that you said something I remember I did mean to spell it dint. LOL

Seems pretty easy to me....they don't care what it looks like and want to spend the least amount of time possible mowing! Bad combination. I have the opposite problem..my neighbor likes to mow about 4 times a year. He has weeds bigger and thicker than my wife.