Follow the one-third rule
Never remove more than one-third of the grass blade in one mowing. If the lawn gets too tall, bring it down gradually over several cuts.
MOWING GUIDE
Cut at the right height for the season.
Regular mowing keeps warm-season lawns dense and healthy. The right height changes with your grass type and the stress of the season.
THE SHORT ANSWER
Follow the one-third rule, keep the blade sharp, and raise the mower one setting when summer heat or drought arrives.
BEST PRACTICES
What your lawn needs
Use a sharp blade
A sharp blade leaves a clean green edge. A dull blade tears the grass and leaves pale, shredded tips.
Mow when the lawn is dry
Dry grass cuts evenly and is less likely to clump, mat down, or leave ruts.
Check your treatment instructions
Before mowing after a service, follow the waiting period listed for your most recent Green Grass treatment.
ADJUST WITH THE SEASON
Start lower, then raise the deck as summer gets tougher.
EARLY SPRING
Make one cleanup cut
Bermuda: Just before active green-up, make one cut slightly below your normal height—often around 1 inch—to remove dormant material. Bag heavy clippings.
Zoysia: Use a gentler cleanup cut suited to your variety.
St. Augustine: Skip the low cleanup cut. Do not scalp it.
ACTIVE GROWING SEASON
Use the right mowing height
- Bermuda
- 1–2 inchesWe recommend 2 inches
- Zoysia
- 1–2½ inchesWe recommend 2½ inches
- St. Augustine
- 2½–4 inches
Zoysia height varies by variety. When unsure, start toward the taller end.
PEAK SUMMER — RAISED HEIGHT
Raise the mower one setting
Taller grass shades the soil and gives the lawn more leaf area during stress. Keep following the one-third rule and avoid mowing when the grass is wilted or severely dry.
Keep the taller height until cooler weather or regular rain returns.
Height guidance follows Texas A&M AgriLife recommendations for Texas home lawns.
MAKE AN ADJUSTMENT
Let the lawn tell you when something is wrong
A brown lawn after mowing
The grass was likely cut too short or too much was removed at once. Raise the deck and mow a little more often.
Brown, shredded blade tips
This usually means the mower blade is dull and needs to be sharpened or replaced.
Wilted or stressed grass
Wait to mow severely stressed turf. During summer heat or drought, leave the grass taller and avoid scalping it.
NEED HELP?
If you are unsure about any of these recommendations, please contact our office and we’ll be happy to provide additional guidance.