Mow Height for Bermuda Grass

Mowing Benefits

• While mowing a Bermudagrass lawn is perceived as merely maintaining a visually appealing, uniform carpet of green, mowing improves plant vitality, according to horticulturists with the University of Florida. Proper mowing encourages a deeper, healthier root system that sustains a lusher and denser turf.

Mowing Height

• In landscapes where no more than moderate resources are used to maintain a lawn, Bermudagrass is mowed at heights between 3/4 to 1-1/2 inches. In warm months when soil is moist, growth is faster and more frequently mowing, one to three times weekly, is the best practice. In high-maintenance settings, such as golf courses or formal estates, Bermudagrass is fertilized and watered to create the most possible pristine lawn. The lawn may be mowed daily and consistently maintained at a height of only 1/2 inch. Allow shredded clippings to decompose on the lawn to replenish soil nitrogen.

Considerations

• Never cut more than 1/3 the total height of the grass at any one mowing, according to the University of Florida, or no more than 40 percent of height, according to Texas A&M University. More frequent cutting is preferable to letting a Bermudagrass grow tall, and then it receives a harsh, low cutting. Harsh, low cutting exposes the tan sheath of the grass and allows sunlight to reach the soil, which encourages weed growth.

Mowing Insight

• Bermudagrass develops less wear tolerance from foot traffic when mowed at heights above 1 inch. Adjust the frequency of mowing based on weather and soil conditions. In droughts and temperatures below 50 degrees, Bermudagrass slows its growth pace. If it becomes dormant and tan in color, mowing may not be necessary. Once soil moisture or temperatures increase, the lawn will green up.

Equipment

• The University of Florida recommends using a reel mower to cut Bermudagrass. The blades make cleaner cuts of the grass and mower is more readily and accurately adjusted to low cutting heights.