How to Mow Tall Fescue Grass the Right Way
Believe it or not, there is a right way to mow your lawn. Mowing it properly is one of the easiest ways to promote a healthy lawn.
If you have tall fescue grass and you’re wondering how high to mow it, you’re in the right place. We’re going to break down how high to cut tall fescue grass and why it’s important to mow it at the right height.
What is Tall Fescue?
Tall fescue is the most widely grown cool-season grass species in North Carolina. For a cool-season species, tall fescue is generally tolerant to heat and drought, disease-resistant, and persists with minimal care and periodic fertilization. It tends to clump due to its bunch-type growth habit and may need to be re-seeded each year in areas that exhibit thin growth patterns due to excessive summer stresses. You can read more about tall fescue here.
How Tall is Tall Fescue?
Tall fescue is typically 3.5 – 4 inches tall. To measure your grass, simply take a ruler and measure vertically from the soil to the tip of the grass blade. Although tall fescue is a resilient, low-maintenance grass, it’s still important to mow it to the proper height.
How High Should You Mow Tall Fescue?
Overall, the ideal tall fescue mowing height is 3 – 3.5 inches. This is a safe length to mow your tall fescue any time of the year. Most lawnmowers do not mow higher than 3.5 inches, so keeping your mower deck to the highest setting will usually ensure your tall fescue is always at a healthy height.
North Carolina State University’s TurfFiles has developed these guidelines for more precise mowing year-round:
- From March – May, mow your tall fescue lawn to 2.5 – 3.5 inches. Do not let the grass get so tall that mowing it would remove more than ⅓ of its height. This may mean mowing your lawn as often as once a week.
- From June – August, mow your lawn to 3.5 inches. Do not allow your grass to get taller than 5 inches.
- From September – November, mow your lawn to 2.5 – 3 inches.
- From December – February, mow your tall fescue lawn to 3 inches.
When to Mow New Fescue
When should you cut new fescue grass? Generally, the early morning or evening is the best time for mowing after sodding or seeding. Wait until your tall fescue is approximately 4.5 inches tall before mowing, and cut it to 3.5 inches at the lowest. Taking off too much at once can harm the grass, especially if it is new.
Before mowing new fescue, make sure your lawnmower blades are either new or freshly sharpened. Dull mower blades can tear grass, which can be especially damaging to new turf. Finally, make sure to alternate your mowing patterns to prevent any unnecessary rutting on your turf.
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