Odious Ktenology, the evidence you're speaking of is on lawn channels whom use a plant growth regulator in their lawn because their focus is cutting at 1/2 inch or less. Also, the evidence your speaking of is based on turf grass other than Tall Fescue. Using PGR on turf does indeed create a more dense a deeper root structure. But, what I was speaking of in regards to cutting taller for a deeper root structure was specifically based for a turf type tall fescue. Obviously, Pete, nor I use a PGR on our TTF. But you need to know that cutting taller does facilitate a deeper and healthier root structure in a fescue lawn. Certain turf varieties such as bermuda can be cut at 1 inch or less and thrive. 99% of the tips and cultural practices on the GCI channel is specifically designed for Tall Fescue. Also, CZcams can be a great source for information, but their is also some BS on CZcams as well. Hope you have a nice day!
It's doesn't always mean that. With Festuca it does for sure. But I live in the pasific NW and Ryegrasses pound for pound do the best. Rye grass will get deeper roots, but it's no where near as important as in Fescue. Always promote the right turf for your area.
One thing I don't think you may have accounted for when measuring blade height is that the mower wheels don't rest on the dirt. I may be wrong, but the grass keeps the mower a bit higher off the ground. That may be the difference between the wheel setting, and where the blade was measured at. Maybe measuring the grass after it's cut may be a better indication of blade height.
@@josephglass7441 if my wife went outside and went behind me cause I didn't cut the grass short enough she would be forever cutting the grass from then on.
@@CMH_1975 That's why I took over mowing. Not because I wanted it shorter, because he'd basically run around the yard with the mower as low as it would go. Slow and steady is the way to go. And I actually enjoy it.
I have tall fescue and I was about to go with Bermuda because I was tired of heat stress even when I watered it. Buuuutttt I ran into this amazing guy on this channel and I cut at 4 inches. My neighbors respect my yard game now 😂. “I guess he is not in the yard for nothin now” 😂
My Gawd, this all made sense to me, and you breaking down the science makes more sense because now I can understand the natural elements of grass growth, which then I can buy and get the right tools, and products to fix my lawn. Instead of just wildly buying stuff to see what works... Thanks for the lesson!
*Hey, all is not lost Tall Fescue lovers!* I just finished working on my 21" Craftsman (MTD?) push mower. I was going to jerry rig the wheel mounting brackets to make it mow higher by drilling some holes and bolting the brackets lower on the side, so the blade runs higher. *_Turns out there already is another set of mounting holes there on the side of the body._* The original holes are for the average home owner who doesn't know any better, and the other set is for the *GCI* followers who want a higher and better cut. Also the wheel bracket has another hole to mount the wheel. Sitting on the sidewalk, the mower looks like it's 6 inches high and reminds me of a Monster truck , but I measured almost 4 inches. That's a s high as my fine Fescue can handle without flopping over too much. Tall Fescue should like it. Check it out. Thanks, Pete for the info.
I'm so glad to see that someone made a video about this. I've been arguing with my family for years now over why I cut the Bermuda grass at a min 3 1/2 all year, and only once a week. I learned everything you talked about in college biology and science, and I'm a die-hard gardener, but try to talk science to people who want to rush off to the lake, beach, or just not have to work on their lawn. People think scalping the lawn will keep them from having to cut sooner, but what that does, as much as scorching the roots, is allows weeds to come in and take over.
I've always cut my lawn on high. One reason was to give any weeds competition from the thick grass plus; the sun doesn't have much opportunity to dry up the soil.
It also provides more surface area for dew to form at night. I cut mine tall the year we had a drought - my neighbor cut his short - it turned brown in no time; mine did eventually go dormant, but it was still green for a couple of weeks longer than my neighbor's.
Amen, I was cutting at 3.5 inches and my yard was starting to slow down mowed it up to 4” and my empty lot next to house is pretty and green and neighbors mowing at 2” to 3” have burnt up yards it’s the beginning of August hot, very little rain. I also learn with my new ZTM to go slower, still full throttle and with super sharp blades the deck sucks the grass blades up and cuts them clean. Amazing after so many years of cutting it short and Burnt up. Thank you for Video. Maybe my neighbors will listen to you, but they see my results so I doubt it 😂
I was also told that 3 1/2" was tall way back, but had a habit of setting my blade tips on a concrete floor using an impact socket that was 3 3/4", that is set the blade tips to just touch the socket as it was standing up in front of the deck. Worked well to level the deck too. Then I went to Ventrac a few years back and got the contour mower. Was supposed to cut 3 1/2" or a tad over, but at its highest setting it was only 3 1/2" by measure of the grass blades from ground to tip. The mow quality looked great, but over time the grass health went down. Last summer, already too late to make a difference for that season, I purchased the new improved 72" deck and it cuts up to a true 5" from concrete floor (a bit taller in the turf as measured by the grass blade from dirt to tip. AND, the grass health is improving. I do not irrigate or fertilize or use chemicals for weeds or bugs, but it will recover and choke out most weeds.
Thanks for this video which I reviewed several times! Then I went out yesterday to purchase a new Toro Personal Pace 60V/7.5AH Max Stow Mower to cut my tall/fine fescue blended lawn at 4 inches. It looks greener and the precision cut is on point! My older mower 's max cut height was 3 inches, which left my lawn looking a little scalped and thirsty. Again, thanks for the tips and explanations!
Man I swear this is the best grass video I've ever watched. I learned with bermuda grass its the same way. They tell you to cut it short, but when you do that and the cool temp comes it weakens your grass. I 've mixed my bermurda with tall fescue and honestly i'm cutting both grass types hire than every youtuber has said you should. Thanks for this video it was educational for sure.
Bought a new mower last spring because the old one only went to 3.5. Couldn't agree with you more Pete! Side note: new mower says 4.5" for the tallest height, but it actually measures at 4 5/8, but I'm not complaining.
Thank you, very informative.,...FYI, I took the mulching blade off my mulching mower and replaced it with a medium lift blade, to get a better discharge. Have a great day. 😁
Makes sense! I've been cutting my grass during the spring at about 2-1/2". (setting on my mower) and by the time summer started to show up I'm browning out all over the place. Next year I'll let the grass grow higher during the spring and allow photosynthesis & osmosis to do their thing so that I'll have a lush yard like yours. I have Kentucky bluegrass planted in my yard I'll bet it will still react the same way.
Photosynthesis is a process that converts light energy into chemical energy. Plants absorb photo-energy and use it, along with Co2 and water, to manufacture sugar. The sugars provide the energy to drive all of the metabolic processes.
I'm about to reseed a lawn in Australia with Tall Fescue. It's forecast to be really hot this summer in Australia. Were talking 104 F and 40C up to 118F and 48C. Unlimited water so far around my place. We'll see what happens. Good advice, I'll take it on.
My husband always insisted of cutting the lawn lower, but I've convinced him to cut it higher, and now he's a fan. But, I'm going to raise it another .5 inches after watching this video.
Love it! Simple language ... simple explanation ... with a test plot for those from Missouri, the show me state. It’s no wonder your channel is growing! Say hey to Jaxx!
You win...I thought 3.5 -4 was high compared to my neighbors. I usually cut in a games court which is far shorter but the time and money spent on the court is far greater than the high grass, time to pick her up a notch or two...thanks man
Took your advice this spring, started cutting my turf type tall fescue at 4” ( bought a new mower to achieve that height) ( used a GCI ruler to measure 😊) and what a difference! Even in the rainless heat wave we’ve been having in SW Va. my lawn looks amazing! Thanks for all the great advice BroPete!
I too live in VA. What kind of tall fescue do you usually use? We use Virginia green lawn care and they for the past two falls have Aerated and seated using their brand tall fescue , which I’m not too impressed with.
Great video. Regarding blade height… blade height is not cut height. On hard top like that, where you measured, the ground is equal to the bottom of the wheel. On turf, the bottom of the wheel is suspended above the ground on compressed turf. So that 3-3/8 blade height will leave the grass right around 3-1/2 from the ground itself.
After 20 years of mowing my own grass (and having a few die offs) this year I finally came to my senses and started mowing my new bluegrass in my backyard at the highest my 1999 model Honda Harmony will go. Unfortunately that's only 3.5 inches. The grass is easily among the best looking I've seen anywhere. The tall fescue I have in front (which I HATE!) though I mow at 3" as it flops over at anything over that.
Hey Pete I've been in this business for 40 some-odd years you're giving out great advice and very true about the height of the cut I wish love my customers would listen to this I tell him over and over and over and I still want to cut short and their yard never looks at great so keep up the good work bud
@@GCITurf some people don't want to listen to science OR common sense...it's a no brainer-grasses need the blade to be healthy-the more of the blade you take away-the less leaf it has to be healthy...avg Joe homeowner wants a putting green but A) doesn't realize he doesn't have the same type of grass/soil/lawn mower/irrigation that is used on a putting green & B) likely too lazy to invest in the equip/maintenance required...most ppl want to chop their grass down super low so they can leave it as long as possible (until it almost recovers from the shock) and then chop it right down again! Buddy! Just mow it tall and level regularly and it will stay greener longer and be much healthier with fewer weeds!
If you want to maximize the effectiveness of your irrigation, water in the morning. Water deep not frequently. In the MORNING THE STOMATES ARE FULLY OPEN, so when you irrigate in the morning you will be fully utilizing the STOMATES and osmosis. The opposite happens at night. This is because the plant knows its about to get colder, and to protect itself it closes the stomates. The stomates are located on the bottom of the leaf blade, and can be seen with a decent microscope. Now if it's going to be a windy day the stomates will be less effective because they will either close early, and or hardly open. This is because it's protecting its self from evaporation. It pleases me to see someone that questions, and corrects the out of date maintenence habits we use on turf. KEEP UP THE HARD WORK Bro! Know your turf. Know that turfs needs. Know how that turf is going to react to whatever Ma Nature throws in your area. More turf blade the more ENERGY it will store for reserve. Short turf has next to no reserve of energy.
Excellent !!! Here in New England with Kentucky Blue Grass- I cut high 3.5 inches all spring and summer and only in late fall do I bring it down a little.
I sent this video to my brother I law going to help him train his fescue has a beautiful house and yard would make a killer place with all the landscaping.
I mow high at 4 inches to keep it nice and green. I run a Timemaster 30 from Toro and it has performed well. I'm going to get a 48 inch Hydro since I love mowing my grass and like using what the pros use. Nice videos Pete.
Great video! This season I made myself measure my blade height and realized it is cutting an inch lower than I thought. So this definitely was a very informative video! Thank you! I have to say I am excited that I won too, Thank you again!!!
Great video and yes....i cannot cut quite that high and with so much unusual rain this year....hard to find a dry day....hard to keep on top of cutting one third....just cut when i can and as high as i can....but i get ya....sounds good..thanks
Very good and informative video once again, Pete! As you were talking about the taller grass not only absorbing more sun, water, nutrients, etc. and that taller blades break the wind and keeping the soil and other grass blades from drying out I was thinking about how farmers will grow a row of trees between fields to break the wind from drying out their fields and crops. Same sort of principle applies here.
You know it buddy. Grass just ain’t meant to be short !! Were I live people cot their grass so short it amazes me. Then after a few hot days and no rain , it turns brown !! Yup , I cut mine tall and stays green !! Awesome video man !!
I have tall fescue and I was about to go with Bermuda because I was tired of heat stress even when I watered it. Buuuutttt I ran into this amazing guy on this channel and I cut at 4 inches. My neighbors respect my yard game now 😂. “I guess he is not in the yard for nothin now” 😂
it must be nice not having deadly snakes to deal with, when i mow it's an inch and a half high maximum. we only have green grass from mid autumn to mid spring, for summer it's 5 acres of brown, and deadly eastern brown snakes. Australia, it's like another world. an interesting video for USA folks.
I like your grass height ruler. I made a sort of copy of it today. I use a common wood door jamb shim (pine wedges used for installing entry doors in houses) and marked one side of it with permanent marker at inch intervals. Dual purpose, as it is the same shim I use for deck scraping on my push mower. On large mower decks, I use a bee hive tool; which is a GREAT hand tool to have around.
Cutting high works great unless you have a really wet season. The blades will fold over and start creating disease problems and killing what is underneath. I've always cut my lawn at 4 inches. After this crazy wet spring we had my lawn looks beat up. I'd say leave it tall in the summer, but you can get away with 3.5 to 3.75 inch cutting the rest of the year.
I just recently ran across your channel and have been watching as many of your videos as I can. Thank you 1st of all for taking the time to make them. I've been running a small mowing operation since 2012 but I primarily mow cemeteries. My yard however is my baby and I've been getting it whipped into shape. I plan on doing some overseeding this fall to get that lush thick turf. Thanks again and I look forward to the many more videos from you.
Hey I been thinking about this thanks to you.... I know my yard is better off high I know this because my neighbors mow low and I do mean low, What I dont know is how high is best for my yard. I planted creeping red fescue, clover, and who knows what else lol. I sowed my yard 21 years ago and havent done anything but mow it since. I am going to crawl under my deck and adjust it so I max out the height of cut while keeping the mower deck level. Then I will record my height at all the settings on the mower. I will mow different sections of the yard on the top three setting of the mower and I will be able to see which is best for my yard when the Summer heat gets here. Thank you for the effort you put into these videos. .
Spring time when I first start mowing on my riding mower I cut it on 3. As it starts to warm up I start moving it up tell I get on the highest setting on my mower to 6. Other wise in spring time I would be mowing ever 2 days and in the summer time If I did not move up to 6 I would have to keep the water on it all the time and it would still burn.
I watched this video the day it was released. I have what Pete would call a crap yard. Lots of crab grass and clover weeds and I don't even know what species grass. I haven't watered or treated or pulled weeds whatsoever, Ive only cut my grass as high and often as I could. (Which I didn't do nearly as well as I might next year due to circumstances) Just by cutting my grass high and often I now have the greenest healthiest yard in the entire neighborhood. There is not a single brown patch out there and absolutely zero heat stress. Let it be known though that we have had an extremely long wet season here in Southwest Virginia.
I'm looking to get a new mower simply because 3.5" is the highest the blade will go (measured at the blade). I'm trying my best to get my in-laws to mow high, they won't go above 3". I hope when I get their grass looking better (thicker, better coverage, etc) they'll consider mowing higher. The heat here in Charlotte, NC just beats up the TTT fescue lawns.
This year I cut my fescue at my mower's highest setting: 8. I might try to get it to 4 or lower before it gets too cold. But I'm guessing now. Wish me luck.
Pete thank you for the lesson. In A&P class osmosis was an intricate part of the chemistry portion when I was trying to get into nursing. It makes plenty sense to me. I laid a new and sod f fescue 8 months back and it's been tricky try to get to the best height. Wouldn't you know, my son cut the grass this time and left it at 1inch tall. I was furious but I didn't want him to really know it. Thanks to this education, I will direct him to visit your videos before I ask I'm to do anything else.keep an coming
You are a God send from heaven! Boy did I lear a lot on this video, I mean a lot.. I was going to cut my grass short today and you just changed my mind and God Bless you for sharing tour knowledge! Gracias from Mexico
Higher is better for all those reasons in the video plus more blade makes the grass look greener. I used to think height of cut mattered to roots as well but it really isn’t essential. The golf course guys get like 9” of roots on golf greens mowed at 1/4”. That being said I think it’s the number 1 thing people do wrong, cutting too short. Followed by using dull blades
Great advice Pete. I am attempting to mow my lawn much higher (as high as the mower will allow) than I did last year and we shall see how it turns out. I have a primarily Rye/Fine Fescue lawn so I am interested in seeing its response.
Totally agree Pete. Problem is all the university studies say that high mowing is 3 or 3.5 inches. So everyone thinks they are doing a favor by mowing at 3 inches and thinks they are high enough. It is hard to educate some customers. Exactly right about measuring blade tip on concrete. Hardly ever seen a mower accurate. And another probably people have with the lower high is they actually need to mow more often to only remove 1/3 of the blade. Are you gonna try to mow that 3 inch strip more often then the rest, to keep the 1/3 rule?
YEP!!!! And by doing this I will prove that you actually have to mow MORE when you cut it shorter. :) I will track the number of times I mow each spot this year
Trouble with that strategy is, if you miss a mowing or if it rains for 10 days straight, there's no "buffer." You're at the max height already, so you can't "catch up" by raising the blade and then gradually lowering back to 4 1/2". Essentially, you're screwed. (When I say "you" I don't mean you personally; I mean most homeowners with a residential mower).
Nice job my friend well done wealth of knowledge through hard work and experience ton of respect for guys like you. Just getting out their every day going to work !!!!! Some is of the experience is learning the hard way hands on and trial by error and hands like leather from hard work !!! Same way learned my craft HVAC !!!!
Man I live in Seattle. And all we have is Tall Fescue, Rye, and Kentucky Blue mixes. I do a 2-3x's spring mowing at 1.25 inches to lift all the pine cones, needles and twigs out. I push really hard on the 16-4-8 liquid fert and liquid Iron to kill the moss too. Spring is very riany here, so no prob there. This also makes it the best time to over seed and top dress any low areas. Then, I progressively raise my cut over four weeks to 4 inches through April and May. Once the rain is all but gone for summer, I have the ultra green and lush 4" grass. Then it only takes an early morning watering once a week! By June, I have total domination over all the neighbors lawns while they're still moving weeds and asking WTF Chuck! Even my new Fillipeno neighbors wanted to know who our Mexican gardeners are. I told 'em I'm a Stottish Greens Master, (we invented perfect lawns,) and the White Boy that does it all! LOL. I need to go mow in my Kilt from now on whith a Whiskey me thinks.
Some home mowers may be able to gain about 1/2 inch by putting taller wheels on. Like moving from 7" wheels to 8". ***Should work for non-self-propelled push mowers.
Yeah my neighbor cuts his grass like a green. I tried to tell him here in Florida heat is not short grasses friend. But who knows. I think 3,3.5 is a good height. Good video, thanks
Hey Pete, we cut our yard at 3.5. The sun stays on the backside of the house till the afternoon. If we're getting a few mushrooms in the front, wouldn't that mean the front is holding enough moisture? We usually go up a notch in June for the hotter drier months.
Where i live you cut the grass 1.5 - 2 inch (4-5) cm and you can even cut it smaller. 3 inches here would make you look like you never cut your grass :p but that's different grass type for you!
You mentioned “without irrigation” several times throughout the video. So would you mow an irrigated lawn at 3.5” or still mow it higher like you do without irrigation?
Also, cutting taller means a deeper root structure which can help the turf.
YES! YES! YES! DANG!!! I FORGOT TO MENTION THAT!!! LOL I WILL IN THE NEXT VIDEO
And can crowd out weeds
Odious Ktenology, the evidence you're speaking of is on lawn channels whom use a plant growth regulator in their lawn because their focus is cutting at 1/2 inch or less. Also, the evidence your speaking of is based on turf grass other than Tall Fescue. Using PGR on turf does indeed create a more dense a deeper root structure. But, what I was speaking of in regards to cutting taller for a deeper root structure was specifically based for a turf type tall fescue. Obviously, Pete, nor I use a PGR on our TTF. But you need to know that cutting taller does facilitate a deeper and healthier root structure in a fescue lawn. Certain turf varieties such as bermuda can be cut at 1 inch or less and thrive. 99% of the tips and cultural practices on the GCI channel is specifically designed for Tall Fescue. Also, CZcams can be a great source for information, but their is also some BS on CZcams as well. Hope you have a nice day!
yep, taller the grass, longer the root. I knew this, and I'm not a lawn expert. I see people who cut at 2 inches or less and just shake my head.
It's doesn't always mean that. With Festuca it does for sure. But I live in the pasific NW and Ryegrasses pound for pound do the best. Rye grass will get deeper roots, but it's no where near as important as in Fescue. Always promote the right turf for your area.
I sure wish I had a neighbor like you. Not just for your turf knowledge but you are just an honest Good Ole Boy. Thanks for the videos!
So ,true, I I started cutting 4 1/2" last year and my grass is fuller, greener and happier all season.
One thing I don't think you may have accounted for when measuring blade height is that the mower wheels don't rest on the dirt. I may be wrong, but the grass keeps the mower a bit higher off the ground. That may be the difference between the wheel setting, and where the blade was measured at. Maybe measuring the grass after it's cut may be a better indication of blade height.
Wife does not like me cutting high. Time to put my foot down and start cutting higher. Thanks Pete
Jesse Vardaman
Likewise, she will go behind me and recut it. Not sure what to do about it.
Remove the spark plug. My wife is finally convinced and likes the look after getting used to it
@@josephglass7441 get a new wife...
@@josephglass7441 if my wife went outside and went behind me cause I didn't cut the grass short enough she would be forever cutting the grass from then on.
@@CMH_1975 That's why I took over mowing. Not because I wanted it shorter, because he'd basically run around the yard with the mower as low as it would go. Slow and steady is the way to go. And I actually enjoy it.
Brother, I’m STILL watching this in 2019. I’ve learned so much.
I have tall fescue and I was about to go with Bermuda because I was tired of heat stress even when I watered it. Buuuutttt I ran into this amazing guy on this channel and I cut at 4 inches. My neighbors respect my yard game now 😂. “I guess he is not in the yard for nothin now” 😂
My Gawd, this all made sense to me, and you breaking down the science makes more sense because now I can understand the natural elements of grass growth, which then I can buy and get the right tools, and products to fix my lawn. Instead of just wildly buying stuff to see what works... Thanks for the lesson!
*Hey, all is not lost Tall Fescue lovers!* I just finished working on my 21" Craftsman (MTD?) push mower. I was going to jerry rig the wheel mounting brackets to make it mow higher by drilling some holes and bolting the brackets lower on the side, so the blade runs higher.
*_Turns out there already is another set of mounting holes there on the side of the body._* The original holes are for the average home owner who doesn't know any better, and the other set is for the *GCI* followers who want a higher and better cut. Also the wheel bracket has another hole to mount the wheel. Sitting on the sidewalk, the mower looks like it's 6 inches high and reminds me of a Monster truck , but I measured almost 4 inches.
That's a s high as my fine Fescue can handle without flopping over too much. Tall Fescue should like it. Check it out.
Thanks, Pete for the info.
I'm so glad to see that someone made a video about this. I've been arguing with my family for years now over why I cut the Bermuda grass at a min 3 1/2 all year, and only once a week. I learned everything you talked about in college biology and science, and I'm a die-hard gardener, but try to talk science to people who want to rush off to the lake, beach, or just not have to work on their lawn. People think scalping the lawn will keep them from having to cut sooner, but what that does, as much as scorching the roots, is allows weeds to come in and take over.
It’s amazing watching a good ole boy say these big words refreshing lol
I've always cut my lawn on high. One reason was to give any weeds competition from the thick grass plus; the sun doesn't have much opportunity to dry up the soil.
It also provides more surface area for dew to form at night. I cut mine tall the year we had a drought - my neighbor cut his short - it turned brown in no time; mine did eventually go dormant, but it was still green for a couple of weeks longer than my neighbor's.
Brother you just preached the gospel of grass cutting and I cut high as well and tall turf traps more rain water and holds nutrients better!
Amen, I was cutting at 3.5 inches and my yard was starting to slow down mowed it up to 4” and my empty lot next to house is pretty and green and neighbors mowing at 2” to 3” have burnt up yards it’s the beginning of August hot, very little rain. I also learn with my new ZTM to go slower, still full throttle and with super sharp blades the deck sucks the grass blades up and cuts them clean. Amazing after so many years of cutting it short and Burnt up. Thank you for Video. Maybe my neighbors will listen to you, but they see my results so I doubt it 😂
I was also told that 3 1/2" was tall way back, but had a habit of setting my blade tips on a concrete floor using an impact socket that was 3 3/4", that is set the blade tips to just touch the socket as it was standing up in front of the deck. Worked well to level the deck too. Then I went to Ventrac a few years back and got the contour mower. Was supposed to cut 3 1/2" or a tad over, but at its highest setting it was only 3 1/2" by measure of the grass blades from ground to tip. The mow quality looked great, but over time the grass health went down. Last summer, already too late to make a difference for that season, I purchased the new improved 72" deck and it cuts up to a true 5" from concrete floor (a bit taller in the turf as measured by the grass blade from dirt to tip. AND, the grass health is improving. I do not irrigate or fertilize or use chemicals for weeds or bugs, but it will recover and choke out most weeds.
This is the most educational video on grass that I’ve ever come across.
Pete, i've been doing this starting just this year, its now June 2019 glad i found your channel!!
Thanks for this video which I reviewed several times! Then I went out yesterday to purchase a new Toro Personal Pace 60V/7.5AH Max Stow Mower to cut my tall/fine fescue blended lawn at 4 inches. It looks greener and the precision cut is on point! My older mower 's max cut height was 3 inches, which left my lawn looking a little scalped and thirsty. Again, thanks for the tips and explanations!
Man I swear this is the best grass video I've ever watched. I learned with bermuda grass its the same way. They tell you to cut it short, but when you do that and the cool temp comes it weakens your grass. I 've mixed my bermurda with tall fescue and honestly i'm cutting both grass types hire than every youtuber has said you should. Thanks for this video it was educational for sure.
I wanted to cry watching you cut that beautiful lawn , but thank you for doing it in the line of learning .
Hey!! Thats the GCI TEST PLOT......NO WAY I will cut my yard that short! LOL
GCI Turf Services .... I knew that Pete ... ☺
Not a problem, pete sacrifices for us in the name of science! :o)
Bought a new mower last spring because the old one only went to 3.5. Couldn't agree with you more Pete!
Side note: new mower says 4.5" for the tallest height, but it actually measures at 4 5/8, but I'm not complaining.
Thank you, very informative.,...FYI, I took the mulching blade off my mulching mower and replaced it with a medium lift blade, to get a better discharge. Have a great day. 😁
Makes sense! I've been cutting my grass during the spring at about 2-1/2". (setting on my mower) and by the time summer started to show up I'm browning out all over the place. Next year I'll let the grass grow higher during the spring and allow photosynthesis & osmosis to do their thing so that I'll have a lush yard like yours. I have Kentucky bluegrass planted in my yard I'll bet it will still react the same way.
Thank you for the video Pete I really appreciate it I agree with you 100% I mow my yard at four and a half all the time
Photosynthesis is a process that converts light energy into chemical energy. Plants absorb photo-energy and use it, along with Co2 and water, to manufacture sugar. The sugars provide the energy to drive all of the metabolic processes.
I'm about to reseed a lawn in Australia with Tall Fescue. It's forecast to be really hot this summer in Australia. Were talking 104 F and 40C up to 118F and 48C. Unlimited water so far around my place. We'll see what happens. Good advice, I'll take it on.
My husband always insisted of cutting the lawn lower, but I've convinced him to cut it higher, and now he's a fan. But, I'm going to raise it another .5 inches after watching this video.
This was the exact information I needed. Thanks for not telling me 345 times when to water my lawn for healthy grass.
This guy knows his shit!! Hands down. Great channel
Pete great tutorial...cutting grass high has many benefits!
Yes sirrrr
Love it! Simple language ... simple explanation ... with a test plot for those from Missouri, the show me state. It’s no wonder your channel is growing! Say hey to Jaxx!
Pete... man, you are a such a class act and have such great turf advice. Your level of expertise is 2nd to none. Have a great week, brother.
you as well my friend
You win...I thought 3.5 -4 was high compared to my neighbors. I usually cut in a games court which is far shorter but the time and money spent on the court is far greater than the high grass, time to pick her up a notch or two...thanks man
Do you have a follow up to show the difference later in the season?
Took your advice this spring, started cutting my turf type tall fescue at 4” ( bought a new mower to achieve that height) ( used a GCI ruler to measure 😊) and what a difference! Even in the rainless heat wave we’ve been having in SW Va. my lawn looks amazing! Thanks for all the great advice BroPete!
I too live in VA. What kind of tall fescue do you usually use? We use Virginia green lawn care and they for the past two falls have Aerated and seated using their brand tall fescue , which I’m not too impressed with.
Pete the channel is growing as fast as my grass since you have treated it.
For foliar absorption alone its worth it. For canopy crowding out weeds alone its worth it. The list goes on.
Great information. We just started letting our grass grow higher for all the reasons you stated in your video. Thanks
I have a tiff lawn, when I let it grow tall it thins out, when I cut it low it thickens up.
Sounds like my Hair
Thanks for the tip I was gonna start cutting the grass higher for better stripes know I know how high.
Great video. Regarding blade height… blade height is not cut height. On hard top like that, where you measured, the ground is equal to the bottom of the wheel. On turf, the bottom of the wheel is suspended above the ground on compressed turf. So that 3-3/8 blade height will leave the grass right around 3-1/2 from the ground itself.
After 20 years of mowing my own grass (and having a few die offs) this year I finally came to my senses and started mowing my new bluegrass in my backyard at the highest my 1999 model Honda Harmony will go. Unfortunately that's only 3.5 inches. The grass is easily among the best looking I've seen anywhere. The tall fescue I have in front (which I HATE!) though I mow at 3" as it flops over at anything over that.
Hey Pete I've been in this business for 40 some-odd years you're giving out great advice and very true about the height of the cut I wish love my customers would listen to this I tell him over and over and over and I still want to cut short and their yard never looks at great so keep up the good work bud
David Powers I agree 100% bro
I mowed at 4.5 inches last year! Best yards i ever had!
LOL.....Tell that to some of the negative peeps ha ha
@@GCITurf some people don't want to listen to science OR common sense...it's a no brainer-grasses need the blade to be healthy-the more of the blade you take away-the less leaf it has to be healthy...avg Joe homeowner wants a putting green but A) doesn't realize he doesn't have the same type of grass/soil/lawn mower/irrigation that is used on a putting green & B) likely too lazy to invest in the equip/maintenance required...most ppl want to chop their grass down super low so they can leave it as long as possible (until it almost recovers from the shock) and then chop it right down again! Buddy! Just mow it tall and level regularly and it will stay greener longer and be much healthier with fewer weeds!
If you want to maximize the effectiveness of your irrigation, water in the morning. Water deep not frequently. In the MORNING THE STOMATES ARE FULLY OPEN, so when you irrigate in the morning you will be fully utilizing the STOMATES and osmosis. The opposite happens at night. This is because the plant knows its about to get colder, and to protect itself it closes the stomates. The stomates are located on the bottom of the leaf blade, and can be seen with a decent microscope. Now if it's going to be a windy day the stomates will be less effective because they will either close early, and or hardly open. This is because it's protecting its self from evaporation. It pleases me to see someone that questions, and corrects the out of date maintenence habits we use on turf. KEEP UP THE HARD WORK Bro! Know your turf. Know that turfs needs. Know how that turf is going to react to whatever Ma Nature throws in your area. More turf blade the more ENERGY it will store for reserve. Short turf has next to no reserve of energy.
Interesting info mate. Thanks for the time of day tip for watering. I have always watered at night. But I am going to change that now..
Is 5am too early ? That’s when my irrigation starts .
Excellent !!! Here in New England with Kentucky Blue Grass- I cut high 3.5 inches all spring and summer and only in late fall do I bring it down a little.
I sent this video to my brother I law going to help him train his fescue has a beautiful house and yard would make a killer place with all the landscaping.
I mow high at 4 inches to keep it nice and green. I run a Timemaster 30 from Toro and it has performed well. I'm going to get a 48 inch Hydro since I love mowing my grass and like using what the pros use. Nice videos Pete.
I started mowing 4.5 inches last summer. Had no issues with a burnt law July-August. All my neighbors burned as they all cut 3 inches. 👌🏾👌🏾
Great video! This season I made myself measure my blade height and realized it is cutting an inch lower than I thought. So this definitely was a very informative video! Thank you! I have to say I am excited that I won too, Thank you again!!!
Yes sir. Your prize is headed your way!
Great video and yes....i cannot cut quite that high and with so much unusual rain this year....hard to find a dry day....hard to keep on top of cutting one third....just cut when i can and as high as i can....but i get ya....sounds good..thanks
Very good and informative video once again, Pete! As you were talking about the taller grass not only absorbing more sun, water, nutrients, etc. and that taller blades break the wind and keeping the soil and other grass blades from drying out I was thinking about how farmers will grow a row of trees between fields to break the wind from drying out their fields and crops. Same sort of principle applies here.
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You know it buddy. Grass just ain’t meant to be short !! Were I live people cot their grass so short it amazes me. Then after a few hot days and no rain , it turns brown !! Yup , I cut mine tall and stays green !! Awesome video man !!
I have tall fescue and I was about to go with Bermuda because I was tired of heat stress even when I watered it. Buuuutttt I ran into this amazing guy on this channel and I cut at 4 inches. My neighbors respect my yard game now 😂. “I guess he is not in the yard for nothin now” 😂
it must be nice not having deadly snakes to deal with, when i mow it's an inch and a half high maximum.
we only have green grass from mid autumn to mid spring, for summer it's 5 acres of brown, and deadly eastern brown snakes.
Australia, it's like another world.
an interesting video for USA folks.
hey always measure the front of the mower at the blade. a mower should always have a forward tilt
I like your grass height ruler. I made a sort of copy of it today. I use a common wood door jamb shim (pine wedges used for installing entry doors in houses) and marked one side of it with permanent marker at inch intervals. Dual purpose, as it is the same shim I use for deck scraping on my push mower. On large mower decks, I use a bee hive tool; which is a GREAT hand tool to have around.
Cutting high works great unless you have a really wet season. The blades will fold over and start creating disease problems and killing what is underneath. I've always cut my lawn at 4 inches. After this crazy wet spring we had my lawn looks beat up. I'd say leave it tall in the summer, but you can get away with 3.5 to 3.75 inch cutting the rest of the year.
HAPPY'S FAMILY great couple....great videos!!! So happy for them!!!
I just recently ran across your channel and have been watching as many of your videos as I can. Thank you 1st of all for taking the time to make them. I've been running a small mowing operation since 2012 but I primarily mow cemeteries. My yard however is my baby and I've been getting it whipped into shape. I plan on doing some overseeding this fall to get that lush thick turf. Thanks again and I look forward to the many more videos from you.
Hey I been thinking about this thanks to you.... I know my yard is better off high I know this because my neighbors mow low and I do mean low, What I dont know is how high is best for my yard. I planted creeping red fescue, clover, and who knows what else lol. I sowed my yard 21 years ago and havent done anything but mow it since. I am going to crawl under my deck and adjust it so I max out the height of cut while keeping the mower deck level. Then I will record my height at all the settings on the mower. I will mow different sections of the yard on the top three setting of the mower and I will be able to see which is best for my yard when the Summer heat gets here. Thank you for the effort you put into these videos. .
3.5 for fine fescue
Spring time when I first start mowing on my riding mower I cut it on 3. As it starts to warm up I start moving it up tell I get on the highest setting on my mower to 6. Other wise in spring time I would be mowing ever 2 days and in the summer time If I did not move up to 6 I would have to keep the water on it all the time and it would still burn.
I usually take two or three tokes before I mow. The time flies!
Xtremeperformance I Didn't say Anything about the depths of the roots! No need to get Snotty!
I watched this video the day it was released. I have what Pete would call a crap yard. Lots of crab grass and clover weeds and I don't even know what species grass. I haven't watered or treated or pulled weeds whatsoever, Ive only cut my grass as high and often as I could. (Which I didn't do nearly as well as I might next year due to circumstances) Just by cutting my grass high and often I now have the greenest healthiest yard in the entire neighborhood. There is not a single brown patch out there and absolutely zero heat stress. Let it be known though that we have had an extremely long wet season here in Southwest Virginia.
Great video! I use to drop the deck and end of this pass season I realized I was sooooo wrong ✂💯
I'm looking to get a new mower simply because 3.5" is the highest the blade will go (measured at the blade). I'm trying my best to get my in-laws to mow high, they won't go above 3". I hope when I get their grass looking better (thicker, better coverage, etc) they'll consider mowing higher. The heat here in Charlotte, NC just beats up the TTT fescue lawns.
agreed 100%
Thank you I have been cutting my grass to low
This video got me to purchase a new that cuts at 4”. My previous mower didn’t cut higher than 2.44”.
This year I cut my fescue at my mower's highest setting: 8.
I might try to get it to 4 or lower before it gets too cold.
But I'm guessing now.
Wish me luck.
I don't even put my mower down on my zero turn..."why is your grass so green?"...number 1 response...
Pete thank you for the lesson. In A&P class osmosis was an intricate part of the chemistry portion when I was trying to get into nursing. It makes plenty sense to me. I laid a new and sod f fescue 8 months back and it's been tricky try to get to the best height. Wouldn't you know, my son cut the grass this time and left it at 1inch tall. I was furious but I didn't want him to really know it. Thanks to this education, I will direct him to visit your videos before I ask I'm to do anything else.keep an coming
You are a God send from heaven! Boy did I lear a lot on this video, I mean a lot.. I was going to cut my grass short today and you just changed my mind and God Bless you for sharing tour knowledge! Gracias from Mexico
Thanks for sharing Pete. No better teacher than experience.
Great video and lots of information. I never thought to actually check the height of the blade.
Great video! I have all tall fescue and this video has opened my eyes! Thanks so much!
I been doing it for 12 years for the public the higher the better depends on your dirt you know how rocky how sunny I’ll be 30 October 5th
Here is another thing to take into consideration the tire wear on the mower too can cause the mower cut shorter as well.
Higher is better for all those reasons in the video plus more blade makes the grass look greener. I used to think height of cut mattered to roots as well but it really isn’t essential. The golf course guys get like 9” of roots on golf greens mowed at 1/4”. That being said I think it’s the number 1 thing people do wrong, cutting too short. Followed by using dull blades
Great advice Pete. I am attempting to mow my lawn much higher (as high as the mower will allow) than I did last year and we shall see how it turns out. I have a primarily Rye/Fine Fescue lawn so I am interested in seeing its response.
You should get a good response
Totally agree Pete. Problem is all the university studies say that high mowing is 3 or 3.5 inches. So everyone thinks they are doing a favor by mowing at 3 inches and thinks they are high enough. It is hard to educate some customers. Exactly right about measuring blade tip on concrete. Hardly ever seen a mower accurate. And another probably people have with the lower high is they actually need to mow more often to only remove 1/3 of the blade. Are you gonna try to mow that 3 inch strip more often then the rest, to keep the 1/3 rule?
YEP!!!! And by doing this I will prove that you actually have to mow MORE when you cut it shorter. :) I will track the number of times I mow each spot this year
Viewing Tip. Settings/Playback Speed/1.5
Trouble with that strategy is, if you miss a mowing or if it rains for 10 days straight, there's no "buffer." You're at the max height already, so you can't "catch up" by raising the blade and then gradually lowering back to 4 1/2". Essentially, you're screwed. (When I say "you" I don't mean you personally; I mean most homeowners with a residential mower).
Pete, I’m curious to see how the 3.5 vs 4.5 summer experiment went. Are the results in another video? Thank you!
Since Pete hasn't replied, this was Aug. later in the year: czcams.com/video/jv40AWXPZks/video.html
@@weeeves Thanks man
Good biology teacher. I will follow your advice.
Nice job my friend well done wealth of knowledge through hard work and experience ton of respect for guys like you. Just getting out their every day going to work !!!!! Some is of the experience is learning the hard way hands on and trial by error and hands like leather from hard work !!! Same way learned my craft HVAC !!!!
Could be off due to worn tires/low air pressure...etc
Man I live in Seattle. And all we have is Tall Fescue, Rye, and Kentucky Blue mixes. I do a 2-3x's spring mowing at 1.25 inches to lift all the pine cones, needles and twigs out. I push really hard on the 16-4-8 liquid fert and liquid Iron to kill the moss too. Spring is very riany here, so no prob there. This also makes it the best time to over seed and top dress any low areas. Then, I progressively raise my cut over four weeks to 4 inches through April and May. Once the rain is all but gone for summer, I have the ultra green and lush 4" grass. Then it only takes an early morning watering once a week! By June, I have total domination over all the neighbors lawns while they're still moving weeds and asking WTF Chuck! Even my new Fillipeno neighbors wanted to know who our Mexican gardeners are. I told 'em I'm a Stottish Greens Master, (we invented perfect lawns,) and the White Boy that does it all! LOL. I need to go mow in my Kilt from now on whith a Whiskey me thinks.
Some home mowers may be able to gain about 1/2 inch by putting taller wheels on.
Like moving from 7" wheels to 8". ***Should work for non-self-propelled push mowers.
How high should I keep my zoysia grass?
Thank you.
Yeah my neighbor cuts his grass like a green. I tried to tell him here in Florida heat is not short grasses friend. But who knows. I think 3,3.5 is a good height. Good video, thanks
Thanks Pete. Going to follow you all season with your recommendations. Will join the academy.
Most people know that the height adjustment on the side of any mower
is for reference only.
Hey Pete, we cut our yard at 3.5. The sun stays on the backside of the house till the afternoon. If we're getting a few mushrooms in the front, wouldn't that mean the front is holding enough moisture? We usually go up a notch in June for the hotter drier months.
Thanks Pete, I learned something today👍
This is My New Favorite Channel for sure!
Where i live you cut the grass 1.5 - 2 inch (4-5) cm and you can even cut it smaller. 3 inches here would make you look like you never cut your grass :p but that's different grass type for you!
I've been watching your videos now for about a month I just hit the Subscribe button hands down you have the best videos
Mr. Paul thank you for that. I am glad to have you !!
You mentioned “without irrigation” several times throughout the video. So would you mow an irrigated lawn at 3.5” or still mow it higher like you do without irrigation?
I am a little late 😂😂 awesome video I will be watching a lot more. Thanks for the education!!!
Short in spring and fall.
Summer g,rows longer