Raise the Mowing Height for Weed and Grub Defense (2024)

FAQs

Raise the Mowing Height for Weed and Grub Defense? ›

Not only will raising your mower deck to 3.5 – 4 inches promote healthier, more disease and drought resistant grass, but it puts greater pressure on broadleaf “weeds

Lawns mowed at 3.5 or 4 inches out-compete weeds, tolerate grubs and look just as good as lawns mowed at 2.5 inches. Raising the mowing height makes a more dense turf that out- competes weeds.

The most successful crabgrass control programs rely heavily on cultural methods to prevent crabgrass infestation. In other words, a healthy dense turf is the most effective way to control crabgrass. that will help produce a healthy dense lawn: Maintain your mowing height between 3.0 and 3.5 inches.

Increase the mowing height by an inch during mid-summer to improve the lawn's ability to tolerate stress caused by heat and drying winds. Change the direction of mowing frequently to promote upright shoot growth. If possible, mow at right angles every other time.

The top setting for most mowers gives a cutting height between 3.25 and 4 inches. This is best for your lawn, but at a setting of 4 inches you may sometimes see some “laying-over” of turf blades that some people find undesirable. For this reason, some people prefer to mow at 3 or 3.5 inches.

Don't use a handheld spreader because there are too many variables; getting the correct amount of product applied to your lawn is very difficult. To apply grub control granules, you'll want to mow the lawn first, as well as make sure that the lawn is dry and that there is no rain predicted for the next 24 hours.

If you already have signs of crabgrass growing in your lawn it is important to take care when mowing. Crabgrass stalks contain hundreds of seeds, these can spread every time you mow or rake the lawn making the problem worse.

For most circ*mstances, the blades should be kept somewhere around 2 to 2.5 inches in length. It is best to remove only the top 1/3 of the grass blades, so wait until your lawn is slightly over 3 inches before getting your lawn mower out of the garage. Doing so will help support deep root growth.

Yes, you can apply too much pre-emergent. Applying too much can stunt the growth of your turf, resulting in a later green up. Be sure to consult the product's label for application rates and instructions.

A mowing height between 2.5 to 3 inches is best for most of the season, except during summer stresses when the lawn mowing height should be raised one-half inch to mow at 3 to 3.5 inches. Raising the mowing height provides more insulation from summer heat and reduces water loss from your soil.

Is 3 inches a good height to cut grass? ›

How Short Should I Cut My Grass? For warm-season grasses, 2 – 2 ½ inches is the optimal grass height. For fescue, aim for 3 inches during the fall and winter, and around 4 inches during the spring and summer. Leaving your fescue a little longer reduces stress on the turf and helps reduce weeds.

Most standard lawn mowers can handle grass up to about six inches tall. If your grass has grown taller than that, you may need to do two rounds with the mower set at a higher setting on the first round. But with a sharp mower blade, even very tall grass can be cut down to size.

🧐 If you put the mower at the number 3 setting you are probably mowing at 2 inches. 😬 Choose a lawn mower that has taller mow settings and do not make the assumption the numbers correspond to inches.

The Results of Cutting Your Grass Too Short

Keeping your grass short puts undue stress on your turf. You may forget that grass blades are leaves and require photosynthesis to nourish the entire plant. When you cut too much of the leaf blade, you limit the lawn's ability to enact photosynthesis and store energy.

Ideal temperatures for applying most POST herbicides are between 65 and 85 F. Weeds may be killed slowly below 60 F.

Tips For Success with Your Weed and Feed Application

Your grass should be between 3 to 5 inches tall. Use a sprinkler to moisten your lawn lightly before applying the weed and feed treatment. Don't water your lawn for 48 hours using weed and feed. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to avoid over treating your lawn.

Well, it's not good. The same nutrients that make your lawn green and healthy -- nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium -- can hurt your lawn if you apply too much. Too much fertilizer adds too much nitrogen and salt to the soil. It's called fertilizer “burn,” and can actually kill your lawn.

Mowing to the recommended height of 2.5 to 3 inches means having longer blades of grass that provide several benefits, including: More shade, which keeps the soil cooler and allows moisture to remain longer and not dry out as fast.