What happens if I cut my grass too short?

It will shock the grass and take some time to recover, and you will be looking at a brown lawn for at least a week or two, according to Elworthy. "You can help it out by fertilizing with a heavy dose of potassium to boost resilience and plant immunity," he says.

Can I mow when grass is wet?

No, don't mow your grass when it's wet, according to our experts. "Every time you mow, you’re exposing the freshly cut end of the grass to the outside world," Elworthy says. “If you cut the grass when it’s wet, moisture will get into the grass blade." This is something he says can eventually lead to disease and fungus, so always wait until your grass is dry before you start mowing.

What do I do if my grass is too long when I start mowing?

We’ve all been there, especially during those early and rainy days of spring when grass first starts to take off. But don’t worry—Elworthy says you can take care of a super long lawn almost as easily as a well-maintained one by setting your mower height on the highest setting so you’re taking off the least amount possible. "If that's too high for your liking, you can always mow again in a few days at a lower height," he says. He says the key is to gradually reduce the height over several mows, staying true to that 1/3 rule.

How Often Should You Mow Your Lawn? Experts Weigh In

Our pros get to the bottom of how often you should be cutting your grass.

By

Lauren Wellbank

Updated on May 28, 2024

Having a lawn that is the envy of the neighborhood is many a homeowner’s dream. To secure that coveted position, you need to ensure that you’re keeping your lawn in tip-top shape, which means performing routine maintenance that can include fertilizing, weeding, and mowing. But, knowing just how often you should mow your lawn to ensure that the grass is always greener on your side of the fence can be tricky because there are a lot of things to consider—like the type of grass you have and how often you fertilize. That’s why we took this question to the pros and asked two lawn and turf experts for their thoughts.

Craig Elworthy, founder of Lawnbright, a lawn care company specializing in natural weed and pest control, pet repair, and grass seed.
Jason McCausland, national technical director at Weed Man, a network of locally owned and operated lawn care professionals providing environmentally responsible fertilization, weed control, and integrated pest management services.

Newly mown lawn and gardens. — David Carter / Getty Images

How Often You Should Mow Your Lawn

When your lawn is actively growing, you should try to mow at least once a week, says Craig Elworthy, founder of Lawnbright. "Twice a week is better if you can manage it," he says, adding that more frequent mowings help prevent broadleaf weeds—including dandelions, thistle, chickweed, and more—from taking over your lawn. "Weeds grow much faster than your lawn (hence the term grow like weeds), so by cutting them often, you’re robbing them of the chance to mature," he says.

Mowing frequently also has the added benefit of helping your lawn to thicken up. "If you’re constantly cutting the top off a plant, it will put more of its energy into spreading laterally, which will help your lawn spread out and crowd out weeds," he says. This could create a healthier turf that not only grows better but looks better as well.

What Is the ⅓ Rule?

When mowing your lawn, you'll want to keep the 1/3 rule in mind—only cutting a third of the length off the grass at any time. By doing so, you help protect your grass and lawn as a whole, says Elworthy, who says that most people look at mowing as a chore and often go too long between cuttings and then cut the lawn too short. This can result in damaged grass since those short cuttings can take too much of the grass blade out in the process, hurting the lawn as a whole.

"By cutting deep into the lawn when you mow, you’re damaging the plant and removing a large part of its carbohydrate and water stores,” Elworthy says. "This makes it susceptible to disease and opens up the canopy to the harsh rays of the sun. It also stunts the growth of your lawn, thinning it out and inviting weeds."

Common Types of Grass and Their Height Requirements

Generally speaking, there are three different categories of grass, which include cool season, warm season, and shade grasses. "These are the most common types of residential turf, and the ideal mowing height will vary depending on the type of turf grass you have," says Jason McCausland, national technical director at Weed Man.

Cool Season Grasses

Cool-season grasses include Kentucky bluegrass, fescue, perennial ryegrass, and tall fescue. "Cool season should be kept around 3 to 4 inches throughout the summer months," says McCausland.

Shade Grasses

Shade grasses—such as creeping red fescue and fine fescue—are usually blended with other varieties, such as Kentucky bluegrass, and should also be kept at 3 to 4 inches, McCausland says.

Warm Season Grasses

Warm season grasses are a little different, says McCausland. The care depends on the specific type you are growing for your lawn.

Common Bermudagrass: 3/4 to 1¼ inches
Hybrid Bermudagrass: 1/2 to 1½ inches
Centipedegrass: 1 to 2 inches
Zoysiagrass: 1 to 2½ inches
St. Augustine: 3 to 4 inches

When to Mow After Fertilizing Your Lawn

People who use fertilizing treatments on their lawns may not need to hold off on their next mowing, depending on what type of treatment they used. "Granular slow-release fertilizers are the best to use, and in these cases, your lawn can be mowed shortly after an application as the prills (granules) typically make their way into the soil level," McCausland says. "However, some prefer to water in the fertilizer first, which eliminates any concern of displaced granules." On the other hand, if you’re using a liquid treatment, Elworthy says you’ll need to delay cutting for just a bit, at least until the grass dries.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I cut my grass too short?

It will shock the grass and take some time to recover, and you will be looking at a brown lawn for at least a week or two, according to Elworthy. "You can help it out by fertilizing with a heavy dose of potassium to boost resilience and plant immunity," he says.
Can I mow when grass is wet?

No, don't mow your grass when it's wet, according to our experts. "Every time you mow, you’re exposing the freshly cut end of the grass to the outside world," Elworthy says. “If you cut the grass when it’s wet, moisture will get into the grass blade." This is something he says can eventually lead to disease and fungus, so always wait until your grass is dry before you start mowing.
What do I do if my grass is too long when I start mowing?

We’ve all been there, especially during those early and rainy days of spring when grass first starts to take off. But don’t worry—Elworthy says you can take care of a super long lawn almost as easily as a well-maintained one by setting your mower height on the highest setting so you’re taking off the least amount possible. "If that's too high for your liking, you can always mow again in a few days at a lower height," he says. He says the key is to gradually reduce the height over several mows, staying true to that 1/3 rule.

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Tell us why!