Cutting your grass too low can lead to unhealthy growth patterns, and you might even invite pesky weeds to take up residence in your yard. If you want to take first place in this year's neighborhood lawn competition, just follow our guide to learn about proper mowing heights. With the right mowing height, your yard will look better than ever. 

Warm Season Grass 

Warm season grass is usually found in the southern regions of the country. Even in the scorching summer heat, warm season grass thrives, and actually grows the most during those summer months. In the colder months, don't worry – the grass turning brown is normal. Within this tropical grass family, there are three types: 

Zoysia is a slow growing, but thick grass. Keep Zoysia at 2", otherwise it will run wild and take over the yard. 

St. Augustine, characterized by its wide blades, is usually found in the coastal regions of the country. Mow this type of grass after its height has reached 3". 

Bermuda grass loves the bright sunlight, and grows best when maintained at a steady 2". 

Cool Season Grass

In contrast to warm season grass, cool season grasses are usually found in the northern regions of the country. Cool season grass is tough, and survives fluctuating temperatures, while doing most of its growth in the spring and fall. Here are the three types of cool season grass: 

Ryegrass is your standard homeowner's grass: bright green and quickly growing. Ryegrass will need to be mowed frequently, and it shouldn't exceed 2". 

Kentucky Bluegrass doesn't like high temperatures, but it does recover quickly and easily from foot traffic. Keep Kentucky Bluegrass at 2.5" during peak growing season. 

Fescue is the grass you're most likely to find on sports fields. With a slow growth rate, you can safely let it grow up to 3" when expecting heavy foot traffic. 

As a general rule for both warm and cool season grasses, you should mow every 5-7 days while alternating your mowing pattern to prevent soil compaction. In the summertime, you can let your grass grow longer, as this longer summertime grass will help increase the drought resistance of your lawn. 

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