How Tall Should I Mow My Tall Fescue Lawn?

Mowing Heights for Fall and Spring Tall Fescue

• Set your lawnmower blade to cut the grass to a 2-inch height during the cool months of fall and spring. This height will ensure steady growth of the root system, and the deep roots will increase drought tolerance during the hot summer months.

Mowing Heights for Heavy Shade and Hot Summer Months

• Raise the mower blade to 3 inches in heavily shaded areas or during the hot summer months. Allowing the grass to grow to this height helps reduce water evaporation, wilting and rolling leaves.

Mowing Heights for Turf-Type Tall Fescue Varieties

• Mow these turf-type fescue varieties at 1-1/2-inches during spring and fall and 2 inches during the summer.

How Much of the Plant to Cut Per Mowing

• Never cut more than one-third of the of the leaf material in a single mowing. Cutting more results in lower growing performance and leaves the soil to a higher risk of drying out. Cutting one-third at each mowing eliminates the need to remove the grass clippings from the lawn. They will fall between the grass blades and decompose.

How Often to Mow

• Mow every five days during the peak growing seasons of spring and fall. You may have to mow less or more, depending on the climate.