What have you found is the best way to manage the cutting height of bermudagrass throughout the season to reduce summer die-off? Everything I've read says you should cut it something like 3/4-1 in, which of course, is only possible on a reel mower. In the spring, I start as low as mowers will go without scalping (usually 1-1/2 or 2 inches depending on the lawn). But what about summer? Of course, if you let bermuda get more than about 3 inches it starts to flower which looks very unattractive. But desepite the fact that all the information I've found through county extensions and other sources says that you should mow it as short as possible all year, I have always known that mowing it that short in the summer will cause it to die. Whenever I notice that the grass is slowing down, I usually raise my cutting height about 1/2 inch. Of course, with the drought and heat we're having in Oklahoma now, everything is brown and dead. I mowed a bermuda lawn today at nearly 3 inches. Should you start raising the cutting height earlier in expectation of it getting hot? I'm tired of summer killing off the grass (and my business) and I'm trying to find a solution other than watering and fertilizing (expenses most of my customers are just not interested in). I have also had several homeowners tell me recently that mowing higher is better. One of my clients has had me mow 3-1/2 inches all year. What's the best way to go?
Bermudagrass cutting height
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wilsonL&O
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What have you found is the best way to manage the cutting height of bermudagrass throughout the season to reduce summer die-off? Everything I've read says you should cut it something like 3/4-1 in, which of course, is only possible on a reel mower. In the spring, I start as low as mowers will go without scalping (usually 1-1/2 or 2 inches depending on the lawn). But what about summer? Of course, if you let bermuda get more than about 3 inches it starts to flower which looks very unattractive. But desepite the fact that all the information I've found through county extensions and other sources says that you should mow it as short as possible all year, I have always known that mowing it that short in the summer will cause it to die. Whenever I notice that the grass is slowing down, I usually raise my cutting height about 1/2 inch. Of course, with the drought and heat we're having in Oklahoma now, everything is brown and dead. I mowed a bermuda lawn today at nearly 3 inches. Should you start raising the cutting height earlier in expectation of it getting hot? I'm tired of summer killing off the grass (and my business) and I'm trying to find a solution other than watering and fertilizing (expenses most of my customers are just not interested in). I have also had several homeowners tell me recently that mowing higher is better. One of my clients has had me mow 3-1/2 inches all year. What's the best way to go?
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352 Posts
I believe cutting height won't help you much without water and fertilizing. Bermuda loves them some fert. Maybe others will chime in.
Water 1.5 hours every third day, Lesco #000777 fert every 4-6 weeks and a good pre-m herbicde in the fall is how I was taught.
Did you read Texas Weed's Bermuda Bible?
http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/lawns/msg081902511912.html
Good Luck
Water 1.5 hours every third day, Lesco #000777 fert every 4-6 weeks and a good pre-m herbicde in the fall is how I was taught.
Did you read Texas Weed's Bermuda Bible?
http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/lawns/msg081902511912.html
Good Luck
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430 Posts
Bermuda is the primary grass here in Alabama. It is the most drought tolerant grass there is. I cut all my Bermuda lawns between 1.5 to 2.25 inches with no problems. As a previous poster said, it loves plenty of fertilizer 4-6 weeks and water at a minimum of 2 times in a 7-day period for a minimum of 1 hour each time. Cutting it above 2.25 inches can promote unhealthy growth habits and if it is ever cut any higher than 2.25 inches for a extended period and then cut back to 2.0 it can kill the grass.
You cant kill bermuda lol
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973 Posts
We cut a LOT of bermuda. Cut height is largely a customer preference thing for us. We have many customers who like it short (2-2.5") but we have just as many who like it longer -- up to 4". If the turf is getting enough water, you can do pretty much whatever you want to do with bermuda. For customers who leave the height up to us, we let it get a little longer as the weather gets hotter before cutting it back before it does dormant.
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5,933 Posts
3.25" to 3.75"s here
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