Most cut grass too short.

[Saltheart]

In my area , WPRO is the biggest news radio station. Been that way my whole life. Back when Salty Brine was on PRO it was like no other station even existed in RI.

Anyway , they have a new lawn service sponsor who runs adds each week giving advice on different topics. This week , all week all I heard was how people almost all cut their lawns too short. His big negatives about cutting them too short is that cutting short means a shallow root system will develop and that being surrounded by short grass rather than long helps the weeds like crabgrass tremendously.

He said most people should set their mowers at the highest setting they have or at most , one setting down from max. To me that sounded like the lawn would look like hell after mowing. I did try it though on the second highest setting of my craftman ridearound and in fact the lawn looked just as well groomed as it did 2 settings lower where I used to set it for many years. I figure I'll try the higher setting for the whole season this year and see if the lawn gets better.

My lawn is like a in between lawn. Its not the nicest in the neighborhood but it is far from the worst. Maybe like in the 75th percentile. It will be interesting to see how cutting it longer goes.

Last week or so , this guy was pushing the idea of not collecting the clippings. He said you should not leave big clumps of clippings but if chopped good by the blade and evenly distributed so they sink into the grass , they return lots of nutrients to the soil. I always collect my clippings but if his longer is better trick works out , I may try the no clipping collection thing next.

[PRBuzz]

I haven't bagged grass clippings in over 20 years, don't bag leaves either as I just mow them over leaving ALL clippings into the yard. Key is to not let things get away so the clippings smoother the grass below. At times I'll even mow 2X in a day: cut once let clippings dry then mow again to disperse clippings. I mow med/high.

[striperman36]

I set my mulcher as high as it can go . I am also moving to Pearl's Premium whichs grows to 4 inches and stops. good stuff.


My neigbhor's hate it, they always ask when I am going to mow my lawn.

[Karl F]

yes..and maybe...

leave it taller..3 inches is ideal..but be prepared to mow more often..
leave the clippings..well.. than be prpared to mow even more often, or get a high end mulching machine...watch for more insects and fungus if you leave long clippings clumped around... I am leaving it taller but still bagging.. tried not doing it for half a season... and did not like the look.. or all the extra thatch that I broke my back getting rid of that fall..
whatever works best for you..

if all else fails, use bassmasters patented lawn cure.. a 50/50 mix of gasoline and bleach applied liberaly and often until anything green disappears...the perfect lawn for fish junkies.

[Backbeach Jake]

^^^ Hmmmm! Thank-you,thank-you,thank-you!!
Timing is everything..not you Karl but Striperman36

[Backbeach Jake]

I've been cutting to about 3" and bagging lately. I was shocked at how much stuff winds up in the bag. I have a tiny yard to mow, 30 minutes flat for a mow and wack, I get over two bushels of clippings every time.

[Karl F]

middle of July, still green, one down from max height

[Karl F]

still bagging, and like BBJ..amazed at what it picks up..got a grass dump out back, stuff don't break down too fast, that's for sure.
weeds are noticeably less this year, at the higher setting.

[Karl F]

after a couple hours of cutting and clipping, the deck and something cold is always in order...and time to go get some more firewood is in order too.. all set for this winter...but a good time to plan for the one after.

So.. Saltheart... how is your experiment working out for you?

[SurfCaster413]

Hey guys I just wanted to add my 2 cents here. I am a landscaper and at all my accouts right now with this heat am cutting at 4.25 to 4.50 inches. It really helps keeping the green. The lower you cut in this heat, you will burn your lawns and leaving it prone for weeds to take over or grubs which can destroy lawns. Also a tip for you if your gonna water your lawns do it first thing in the morning. During the day time is a waste and during the night your more likely to have your lawn get a fungis

[Raven]

the longer the grass
the more shade you have
for each individual grass plant
represented by a single blade

that shade conserves the water
more water equals lusher growth
lusher growth equals more color.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Karl ....its just "my" way.... but i've found
that mowing is an art form and i never
cut anymore in a grid pattern.BORING!

i cut in contour to the shape of the land
in curves or ARCS... and it's more fun
and pleasing to the eye afterwards.

some of the smaller spots i cut at a right angle
to the curve to frame it....
then it accentuates the landscape

[BigBo]

Looking very nice Karl

Originally Posted by Raven

the longer the grass
the more shade you have
for each individual grass plant
represented by a single blade

that shade conserves the water
more water equals lusher growth
lusher growth equals more color.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Karl ....its just "my" way.... but i've found
that mowing is an art form and i never
cut anymore in a grid pattern.BORING!

i cut in contour to the shape of the land
in curves or ARCS... and it's more fun
and pleasing to the eye afterwards.

some of the smaller spots i cut at a right angle
to the curve to frame it....
then it accentuates the landscape

I'd like to see some pics. Snap a couple when you can.

[JohnR]

I've never been accused of cutting my grass too short.

[BigBo]

Originally Posted by JohnR

I've never been accused of cutting my grass too short.

I have. Consequently, my wife says I'm not allowed to cut the grass any longer.

[Raider Ronnie]

You guys cut your grass ?

[Raven]

Originally Posted by BigBo

Looking very nice Karl


I'd like to see some pics. Snap a couple when you can.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
unfortunately:
i don't mow here BO, because it's owned by the neighbor
who's family manages the golf course
so consequently........... it's kept real short....like@ the G.C.

shorter than i want it....plus i get no clippings to use as mulch

i just found that walking in a straight line made me feel like a cyborg and lacked creativity.

[BigBo]

You don't own it but they let you farm and cultivate, but not mow? Doesn't make sense. I thought I read something you posted about ride on lawnmowers and saw a pic.

[Grapenuts]

Donna has a brand new

[ecduzitgood]

I have also heard you shouldn't remove more than a 1/3 of the height each time you mow.

[Swimmer]

Been cutting mine 3"s high for years. Lawn guy was giving an estimate next door about spraying chemicals on the lawn and he says to me the easiest way to make your lawn thick or at leats make it look thickly planted is toleave it long. Cutting it that way for 25 years. I do vacuum up the clippings and use it as compost though. Dont vac the whole acre but most of it.

[Karl F]

Originally Posted by Grapenuts

Donna has a brand new

seen the scars that Karen's leaves on your back..(and leg)..

and I know damn well your list is waaay longer than mine

[Raven]

Originally Posted by BigBo

You don't own it but they let you farm and cultivate, but not mow? Doesn't make sense. I thought I read something you posted about ride on lawnmowers and saw a pic.

i have one (toro rider) but the mice built a nest in it Bo
this is the second nest they built (bastids)this year
and i have to clean the carb (runnin rough)
and replace the muffler too....

yep i farm... (large garden) and when i went to see the place
origionally....during the snowtime ....
the son goes to open the door....and i said "stop"
i wanna seee what's out back first... as it's more important!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
i always say tho....never cut a lawn (if possible)
unless its gonna rain!

[Rockfish9]

I love my thick lawn.. it never needs mowing....PINE NEEDLES... i gave up on trying to grow grass there... along the street I never water or fertilize.. my crab grass stays green until the first frost... needs damn little mowing to... all and all it leaves me more time for fishing..now if I can only convince my wife to get rid of the flowers.... all kidding aside, I cut on the second highest setting ( back yard, no trees) .. bag every other mowing.. save the clippings in the compost pile ... turn it into the garden each fall..

[bostonharbor]

When storing power equipment,cover air cleaner,engine and nooks and crannies with bounce dryer sheets.It repells mice.

[justplugit]

Karl, you gotta do more sittin and sippin on the deck
and less walkin and sweatin.

Gotta say though, the place looks House and Garden.

[ProfessorM]

Originally Posted by justplugit

Karl, you gotta do more sittin and sippin on the deck
and less walkin and sweatin.

Gotta say though, the place looks House and Garden.

sure does

[5/0]

Originally Posted by Raider Ronnie

You guys cut your grass ?

Absolutly,my rider mower gots a beer holder