Lawn Mowing Height Guide 2026 | Ohio & Kentucky Grass Types | Grandpa Ron's Lawns and Landscape LLC

Why Mowing Height Matters

Mowing at the correct height is one of the most important—and most often ignored—aspects of lawn care. Cut too short, and you stress your grass, invite weeds, and create a patchy lawn. Cut too high, and your lawn looks unkempt and can develop thatch problems.

The One-Third Rule

Never remove more than one-third of the grass blade in a single mowing.

This rule prevents stress on your lawn and keeps it healthy. Here's what that looks like:

| If You Want This Height | Mow When Grass Reaches |

|------------------------|------------------------|

| 2.5 inches | 3.75 inches |

| 3 inches | 4.5 inches |

| 3.5 inches | 5.25 inches |

| 4 inches | 6 inches |

Optimal Heights by Grass Type

Kentucky Bluegrass

**Recommended Height:** 2.5 - 3.5 inches

| Season | Height | Why |

|--------|--------|-----|

| Spring | 2.5-3" | Encourages density |

| Summer | 3-3.5" | Shades roots, retains moisture |

| Fall | 2.5-3" | Prepares for winter |

| Last Mow | 2-2.5" | Prevents snow mold |

Tall Fescue

**Recommended Height:** 3 - 4 inches

| Season | Height | Why |

|--------|--------|-----|

| Spring | 3" | Promotes tillering |

| Summer | 3.5-4" | Deep roots = drought survival |

| Fall | 3" | Prepares for dormancy |

**Grandpa Ron's Tip:** "Tall fescue's deep roots are its superpower. Keep it taller in summer, and you won't need to water as often."

Perennial Ryegrass

**Recommended Height:** 2 - 3 inches

More tolerant of shorter cuts

Maintain 2.5" for dense, dark green appearance

Don't cut below 1.5" or you'll weaken the plant

Fine Fescues

**Recommended Height:** 2.5 - 4 inches

Can be left unmowed for natural meadow look

For manicured appearance, keep at 2.5-3"

Seasonal Mowing Guide for Ohio & Kentucky

Spring (April - May)

Start mowing when grass reaches 3-4 inches

First mow: Remove no more than 1/3

Gradually lower height over 2-3 mowings

Target: 2.5-3" for most lawns

Summer (June - August)

Raise your mower deck!

Increase height by 0.5-1 inch

Taller grass shades soil, reducing water needs

Never mow during drought stress

**Summer Heat Advisory:** When temps exceed 90°F for multiple days, consider skipping a mowing session rather than stressing your lawn.

Fall (September - October)

Return to spring heights

Gradually lower mowing height

Keep up with falling leaves

Last mow: Drop to 2-2.5" to prevent snow mold

Winter (November - March)

No mowing needed in Ohio/Kentucky

Grass goes dormant below 50°F

Avoid walking on frozen grass

Common Mowing Mistakes

1. Scalping the Lawn

**Problem:** Cutting more than 1/3 of blade, exposing soil

**Solution:** Raise mower deck, mow more frequently

2. Mowing Wet Grass

Problems:

Uneven cut

Clumps that smother grass

Disease spread

Slipping hazard

**Solution:** Wait until grass is dry (late morning best)

3. Dull Mower Blades

**Problem:** Tears grass instead of cutting, brown tips

**Solution:** Sharpen blades every 8-10 mowing hours

4. Same Pattern Every Time

**Problem:** Soil compaction, grass leans one direction

**Solution:** Alternate mowing direction each time

Mowing Frequency by Season

| Season | Ohio/Kentucky Frequency |

|--------|------------------------|

| Spring (peak growth) | Every 4-5 days |

| Early Summer | Every 5-7 days |

| Mid-Summer (heat) | Every 7-10 days |

| Fall | Every 5-7 days |

Should You Bag or Mulch Clippings?

Mulch (leave clippings) in most cases:

Returns nitrogen to soil

Reduces fertilizer needs by 25%

Saves time

Bag when:

Grass is diseased

Clippings are excessive (wet or overgrown)

You're seeding (clippings can smother seed)

Professional Mowing Services

Grandpa Ron's Lawncare offers weekly and bi-weekly mowing services throughout Ohio and Kentucky. Our crews are trained in proper mowing height and techniques for our regional grass types.

What's included:

Proper height adjustment for season

Sharp blade cutting

Mulching or bagging (your choice)

Edging and trimming

Debris cleanup