Bulbs Flower Basics Flower Beds & Specialty Gardens Flower Garden Garden Furniture Garden Gnomes Garden Seeds Garden Sheds Garden Statues Garden Tools & Supplies Gardening Basics Green & Organic Groundcovers & Vines Growing Annuals Growing Basil Growing Beans Growing Berries Growing Blueberries Growing Cactus Growing Corn Growing Cotton Growing Edibles Growing Flowers Growing Garlic Growing Grapes Growing Grass Growing Herbs Growing Jasmine Growing Mint Growing Mushrooms Orchids Growing Peanuts Growing Perennials Growing Plants Growing Rosemary Growing Roses Growing Strawberries Growing Sunflowers Growing Thyme Growing Tomatoes Growing Tulips Growing Vegetables Herb Basics Herb Garden Indoor Growing Landscaping Basics Landscaping Patios Landscaping Plants Landscaping Shrubs Landscaping Trees Landscaping Walks & Pathways Lawn Basics Lawn Maintenance Lawn Mowers Lawn Ornaments Lawn Planting Lawn Tools Outdoor Growing Overall Landscape Planning Pests, Weeds & Problems Plant Basics Rock Garden Rose Garden Shrubs Soil Specialty Gardens Trees Vegetable Garden Yard Maintenance

What Happens if You Let Your Grass Grow Too Long?

How to Start Lemon Seeds Indoors - watch on youtube
What Happens if You Let Your Grass Grow Too Long?

What Happens if You Let Your Grass Grow Too Long?. In the heat of summer, it is easy to get lazy and let your grass grow longer than is desirable. In addition to its unseemly appearance, overly long grass can cause problems for your lawn's health. Finding the right grass length is key to a healthier and better looking lawn.

In the heat of summer, it is easy to get lazy and let your grass grow longer than is desirable. In addition to its unseemly appearance, overly long grass can cause problems for your lawn's health. Finding the right grass length is key to a healthier and better looking lawn.
Long Grass Problems
Allowing grass to grow too long is not advisable. For most grasses, a height beyond 3 inches is problematic. At this height and beyond, it is difficult for grass to hold itself up. This causes it to droop onto surrounding grass, smothering it. When long grass droops, it also traps moisture in lower areas, which can cause fungus and disease to spread. At this length, grass also looks unseemly. It may grow unevenly or turn yellow or brown.
Grass Shock
Somewhat longer grass is often in better shape than short grass, but mowing very infrequently is harmful. When you allow grass to grow long and then suddenly mow it, it can send grass into shock. Grass roots become diminished and your lawn weakens, making it susceptible to insects and diseases.
Clippings Issues
If you allow grass to grow beyond 3 inches before mowing, clippings become a problem. Allowing clippings from long grass to settle on your lawn causes similar issues to letting grass grow beyond 3 inches. Clippings will be longer and can smother the grass, especially during very hot weather. The heat can make grass susceptible to disease.
Short Grass Issues
Although very long grass is a bad idea, it is desirable to allow grass to grow somewhat between mowings. Longer grass is actually healthier than shorter grass as long as the grass does not become excessively long. When grass is mowed very short, under 2 1/2 inches, problems occur. By mowing grass too short, you reduce the leaf surface, which is where grass makes food. This causes grass to reply on reserves in its roots in order to grow. Eventually, roots become weak and less able to endure rain and drought. Weeds can also invade short grass more easily.
Cutting Guidelines
Lawns that are allowed to grow to 2 1/2 inches before mowing have deeper and sturdier roots, fewer weed invasions and look better. During the summer months, cutting grass once per week is a good rule of thumb. Cut grass often enough that it remains around 2 1/2 inches tall and avoid cutting more than one-third of the blade length per mowing. For example, if your grass grows to 4 inches, cut it no more than 1 1/3 inches during the next mowing. If your grass does become too tall, gradually cut it back to the proper height over several mowings by mowing more frequently and adhering to the one-third rule.

Check out these related posts