Cutting summer grass secrets

[cgaengineer]

Centipede can be mowed at 2" and requires very little fertilizer.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Richard Martin]

Originally Posted by diamondlandscaping

He doesn't want to know about bahia...

He'd better. Where he's going Bahia is king.

Forget the reel mower. Fire ant mounds would destroy the blade sharpness real quick. I've never seen anybody use a reel mower here anyway. You're going to need Gator G6 blades to deal with the Bahia. I cut Bermuda and Centipede at 2.5". Bahia I start off at 2.5" and as it grows faster and faster I raise the cutting height to 3". I could probably stand to go higher to hide the voluminous amounts of clippings but you get to a point with Bahia where it doesn't have a clean looking appearance if cut higher than 3". You may see some St Augustine but I doubt it. I've never seen it. Crabgrass grows well here but it is easily controlled with a standard pre-em. Stripes will stick to some grasses, especially Bahia.

[Florida Gardener]

Originally Posted by Richard Martin

He'd better. Where he's going Bahia is king.

Forget the reel mower. Fire ant mounds would destroy the blade sharpness real quick. I've never seen anybody use a reel mower here anyway. You're going to need Gator G6 blades to deal with the Bahia. I cut Bermuda and Centipede at 2.5". Bahia I start off at 2.5" and as it grows faster and faster I raise the cutting height to 3". I could probably stand to go higher to hide the voluminous amounts of clippings but you get to a point with Bahia where it doesn't have a clean looking appearance if cut higher than 3". You may see some St Augustine but I doubt it. I've never seen it. Crabgrass grows well here but it is easily controlled with a standard pre-em. Stripes will stick to some grasses, especially Bahia.

I was making a joke about the Bahia...just cause nobody uses a reel on bermuda doesn't mean that's the best practice...
Posted via Mobile Device

[Richard Martin]

Originally Posted by diamondlandscaping

I was making a joke about the Bahia...just cause nobody uses a reel on bermuda doesn't mean that's the best practice...

I knew you were kidding and I'm aware of the reel mowers on Bermuda.

[Florida Gardener]

Originally Posted by Richard Martin

I knew you were kidding and I'm aware of the reel mowers on Bermuda.

Oh ok....I hate Bahia...but it seems you found the solution(g6)
Posted via Mobile Device

[Richard Martin]

Originally Posted by diamondlandscaping

Oh ok....I hate Bahia...but it seems you found the solution(g6)

Try them. You'll never put another blade on your mowers again.

[Florida Gardener]

Originally Posted by Richard Martin

Try them. You'll never put another blade on your mowers again.

I mulch and don't cut Bahia...if I do, I will def get the g6...the regular gators suck.
Posted via Mobile Device

[jvanvliet]

Originally Posted by diamondlandscaping

I mulch and don't cut Bahia...if I do, I will def get the g6...the regular gators suck.
Posted via Mobile Device

We just picked up a small property with bahia, it's my first... I hate it. Gonna talk the HO into Floratam...

[Florida Gardener]

Originally Posted by jvanvliet

We just picked up a small property with bahia, it's my first... I hate it. Gonna talk the HO into Floratam...

It's love hate...you will love in winter and hate in summer
Posted via Mobile Device

[smallstripesnc]

Originally Posted by Richard Martin

He'd better. Where he's going Bahia is king.

Forget the reel mower. Fire ant mounds would destroy the blade sharpness real quick. I've never seen anybody use a reel mower here anyway. You're going to need Gator G6 blades to deal with the Bahia. I cut Bermuda and Centipede at 2.5". Bahia I start off at 2.5" and as it grows faster and faster I raise the cutting height to 3". I could probably stand to go higher to hide the voluminous amounts of clippings but you get to a point with Bahia where it doesn't have a clean looking appearance if cut higher than 3". You may see some St Augustine but I doubt it. I've never seen it. Crabgrass grows well here but it is easily controlled with a standard pre-em. Stripes will stick to some grasses, especially Bahia.

I have heard of Bahia but never really realized that Bahia is that popular at the coast. I thought centipede was the grass that grows mainly but hey I like that Bahia grows fast meaning I'll be in business haha.

Thanks for the information on cutting heights and G6's are very nice blades. I had them on my Scag and on my new Gravely I still have the stock blades.