Deciding on the best time to mow, the most effective mower for your needs, and the ideal mowing techniques can be a complex process, not suited to everyone’s patience or skill set. Blade height, however, is one of those variables that will have a big impact on the final result of your mowing session, and you need to get it right.
That’s because selecting the wrong blade height can lead to a host of lawn issues, from slowing down the growth of your lawn to inviting weeds and pests. Too low, and you risk scalping the grass and weakening its roots; too high, and you may encourage fungal diseases and reduce the lawn’s overall health and appearance.
If all of this is too much for you, why not check out the new, advanced synthetic grass lawns that are taking the world by storm? You don’t need to worry about blade heights with artificial turf!
Elevate Your Lawn Care with the Right Blade Height
Before you can select the right blade height, you need to identify the species of grass because different grasses require different mower blade heights. Here are the best blade heights for five common lawn grasses.
- Fescue thrives at a height of 4 to 5 cm, balancing durability and aesthetic appeal.
- Buffalo prefers a slightly shorter trim, flourishing between 3 to 5 cm.
- Kikuyu, similar to Buffalo, is optimal at 3 to 5 cm, supporting vigorous growth.
- Zoysia is versatile and able to maintain health and density anywhere from 1 to 5 cm.
- Couch, on the leaner side, performs best when maintained at a height of 1 to 3 cm.
Don’t Forget the Season!
You also need to select the right blade height for the season. Picking the wrong blade height for the season can be as bad as misidentifying the grass.
For example, during the cooler seasons, cool-season grasses such as Fescue, Buffalo, Kikuyu, Zoysia, and Couch flourish when cut to their ideal lengths (above). As the seasons shift to the warmer months, however, adjusting the lawn mower blade to a higher setting between 8 to 11 cm is advisable. This greater height helps the grass deal with heat stress, so it grows well during the summer. You’ll still need to mow more frequently in summer than in winter, but with its longer length, your grass will be healthy and lush. Adapting to these guidelines ensures your lawn not only looks good but also supports a healthy ecosystem all year round.
A Greener Future Without the Hassle
Ultimately, the secret to a stunning lawn lies in understanding your grass’s specific needs and making seasonal adjustments as necessary. Maintaining a perfect lawn all year might seem daunting, but if you select the right blade height for the grass and season, your lawn will be the envy of your neighbours.
However, for people wanting to bypass this problem entirely and spend their weekends enjoying other pursuits, the allure of synthetic turf is undeniable. Offering a consistently pristine appearance without ongoing maintenance, artificial turf represents the pinnacle of convenience in lawn care.
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