cutting grass short

[grassyfras]

Why do people always want you to cut it short? It doesnt look nice. You get weeds. The grass dies and then they wonder why. Why do most customers never listen to what you tell them is best for their lawn.

[Eric ELM]

From what I've heard, in some parts of the world, it is cut short to keep snakes off the lawn, since they can't hide good in short grass. Some people think they are getting their moneys worth by getting it cut short. Some just don't know any better I guess. I tell customers up front, the shortest I will cut is 2.5" and that will be in the spring and fall. I explain why it is better to cut it taller in the summer and if they want it cut any shorter, to find someone else to do it.

[thelawnguy]

I always cut short the last cut of the season, the grass is going dormant anyway and the leaves blow right off. As for mowing during the growing season I choose the height based on the individual lawn. The cust wants to pick the mowing height they can do so with their own mower.

[jaybee]

The customers I have encountered who want the grass short are for the most part the ones who think that by cutting it short it will not have to be cut as often and therefore save them money.

[Skookum]

Depends on the grass type, location and climates. It even depends on what hieght the grass is use to being cut. And , it mostly depends on the customers preferences.

I had a property that they wanted it cut at 2". I like grass high, so I tried to get them to let me mow it at 3" for a few weeks as a trial. They did not like it, so back to 2" we went. I have to admit, on that yard it looks better at 2" than 3". It is a well watered yard, so it grows all the time, and higher cuts make it look out of shap too much.

I had two yards side by side that I use to try and mow at the same height. After several years, I now mow them at different heights. Both yards are different type grass blends. They look better at different hieghts.

I have a commercial property that has three seperate areas that I mow all three at different heights. It all has to due with the grass types and the locations of those types. There is a area that is always wet from drainage, another is shady from too many trees, and the last is too sunny for that type of grass.

You learn to do what you need to do to make the property look it's best or what the customer thinks looks the best to them. The old saying, "the customer is always right" is a stretch, but when it is what they like on their yard then I would say it is true. Best you can do is advise them on standard practices and back it up with some printed info like tips from Purdue's turf science department.

[TJLC]

I cut at 3 1/2" If they want it any shorter they need to find someone else. I have lost accounts for this reason, but I stick to my guns.

[Paradise Yard Service]

My 10 blade Pro-Master reel mower can cut well bellow 1 inch. On one emerald zoysia lawn my buddy and I dethatched with our T-27s - blades attached, watered/fertilized and in a few weeks started reel mowing. Thereafter, we would cut every 5 days. We had the reel set to the lowest setting (about 1/4'). Before long the lawn made everyones head turn and jaws drop/drool. We just smiled. Of course the sharpening fees are astronomical $60.00 a pop. And the mower is very unforgiving if the lawn is not level (backfill with sand as you go), but if the customer wants the billiard table perfection lawn then they must pay or the mower stays home and I use the Honda walk behind rotary. So yes, you can cut very low but it depends on region you live, grasses (usually southern turfgrass), and cutting short comes with a substantially higher price.

[powerreel]

Yea.

[Craig Jones]

We have had the same problem. In many cases the people think they are getting a better deal between cuttings when it is cut short. Usually , this is the same folks that have many weeds in their yard and at times, yes the shorter cut does look better on some weed patches. Usually we do not hang on to these accounts but spin them off. For some of our good customers, we give them some brochures from the Lawn Institute, Extension Service, explaining proper cutting heights for lawns and in many case will win them over since they are getting the information from another source. We do cut at different heights, hence we bought all floating deck walkbehinds for this reason.

Since we have had a drought in our area for the last two summers, we also tried experimenting with cutting at a higher level and when their yards were still green and their neighbors were not, many were won over.

[Vibe Ray]

Hey guys. Why exactly do you guys like to cut high? What are all your reasons. I don to have have any set mowing height yet.

[Ricky]

I think it's more satisfying for some. They feel more like they are getting their moneys worth. I discourage it myself, for cool weather grasses. I agree with 3" or more for summer. You can get by with shorter heights in cooler weather.
After some freezes, I like to cut the yard low (to cut back the dead) then bring it back up to 2.5" or 3". Where the green will help hide the brown. I read on the Purdue site that they recommend leaving fescue 3" or above year round.

[awm]

The last several cuts should b progessively shorter
also first cut in spring.Gives you all new
green.works for me.

[bob]

I have one older customer who insisted that her well-fertilized lawn be cut at 2.5 ". I wanted to cut it at 3.5".
Every time I cut it at 2.5", I'd make a big mess. I would break out the backpack blower and puff the clippings out all over her lawn. Now she's got tons of thatch. And guess what, I don't de-thatch.

[MOW ED]

Viberay

I see that you are in Louisiana and I can't really help with your type of grass but up here in N.E. Wisconsin we have a blend of mostly Kentucky Blue (all varieties) as well as red fescue, and rye. These are some of the cool season grasses that like it around 60 degrees and a little wet.
We get tremendous growth in the spring with the rains and the cool. Some of my accounts could be mowed every 3 or 4 days if they are fertilized well. This growth also happens in the fall but not quite as vigorous as we do get some really cool nights.
The problem with mowing short in the summer is that we do get some hot weather here and the grass does not like it. Usually when its hot it doesn't rain much so the grass doesnt grow. Sometimes it browns out and becomes dormant.
Obviously when this happens my wallet browns out too.
The cure is to mow at different heights for the seasons. Spring is mowed initially at 2 inches and gradually increasing to 3 to 3.5 by mid June. High all summer and then in Late Sept. down to 2.5 and finally 2" for the last cuts and cleans.
Guys can get away with mowing short for the whole season if the lawn is irrigated well, the weather is not very hot and the right fertilizer for the time is used.
Thats a mouthful. Good Luck.

[DeepDivot]

Originally posted by TJLC
I cut at 3 1/2" If they want it any shorter they need to find someone else. I have lost accounts for this reason, but I stick to my guns.

Being from Florida, you must have some zoysia or bermuda accounts. I can't imagine cutting those varieties at 3-1/2 inches. However, I agree most cool season grasses need to be cut higher, especially during warmer months.

[lawrence stone]

mow ed wrote:

>The cure is to mow at different heights for the seasons. Spring is mowed initially at 2 inches and gradually increasing to 3 to 3.5 by mid June. High all summer and then in Late Sept. down to 2.5 and finally 2" for the last cuts and cleans.

This is one of the ten commandments for northern turf managers.

Sometimes due to weather conditons some of us are cutting at 3"+ in May because that growth is out of control and clippings would be a handfull at a 1/2" lower.

The key to keeping non-irraguted lawns green all summer is to get it as high as possible as quick as possible so the sun will never get a chance to dry out the soil.

[awm]

Longer grass shades ground keeping moisture
in soil longer.Also cut short keeps grass
] under more stress in hot weather.
Here in nc its mostly fescue and it is
a hardy grass but can look pretty
poor in augustetc.Im constantly having to expln
why shaving is bad to the country folks
around.They think im just trying to
make grass grow more.Which i am as
healthy grass does grow better.

[TJLC]

Deepdivot, I mainly cut bahia here. Also I have a fixed deck, so I set it and leave it at what I feel is the proper height. I see so many people down here cutting grass so low.Clumps of grass, looks like a hay field. To each his own, I guess.