The Right Height

There are several reasons not to cut your grass too short. First, grass grows from the crown, not the blade tips. This trait makes grass ideal for lawns because it keeps on growing despite the regular mowing off of its upper stem, leaf sheath, and blades. This is also why it's important not to damage grass crowns by accidental scalping with the mower. No crown, no grass! Second, keeping grass on the longer side allows it greater surface area to carry out photosynthesis. This in turn results in healthier plants. Third, taller grass grows slower than shorter grass. You can use this simple fact to eliminate up to 20 percent of the mowing you do annually. That's a saving of about 8 hours a year for the average lawn owner, not to mention the savings of gasoline and wear on equipment. Lastly, by keeping your grass at the upper end of its recommended mowing height, you can prevent most weeds from germinating--and thereby eliminate the need for herbicides.