Damage to Grass Cut too Short

Stress

• When grass is cut too short, individual blades are stressed. Grass, like other plants, manufactures carbohydrates for plant growth and health. The blades are responsible for producing a simple sugar through photosynthesis. When blades are cut too short, the surface area for capturing sunlight is diminished. While grass grows back quickly, if it is repeatedly stressed, it may become a target of disease and insects.

Weakness

• Repeated cuttings below recommended height weakens the blades and makes them grow thinner. Weaker blades also fail to root deeply into the soil, which leads to poor water absorption. As with plants that are stressed, weak grass blades open the lawn to invasion by diseases and damage by garden pests. Without the shading offered by thicker, taller blades, the roots are also susceptible to heat buildup from the sun.

Proper Height

• Typically, grass heights should fall into a healthy 3 to 5 inch range. The type of grass, moisture conditions, shade and average temperatures all factor into where the grass should fall within the prescribed range. Lawn experts at home centers and garden stores will offer advice based on the type of climate and environmental conditions that exist in your area.

Cutting Recommendations

• Mowing places a stress on lawns just as removing leaves from other plant species would cause them stress. To reduce the effect of mowing, don't remove more than a third of the total grass height in one cutting, and don't remove more than an inch of grass per pass. Cut longer lawns twice to achieve the proper height. Make sure your lawn mower blade is sharp so that it shears the grass instead of tearing it. Torn blades also have a difficult time recovering and open the plant up to disease issues.