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The UC Guide to Healthy Lawns

Recommended cutting height


Mowing height recommendations for turf species
Turf species
Set mower to (inches)
Mow when turf reaches this height (inches)
Annual ryegrass
1 1/2 - 2
2 1/4 - 3
Bermudagrass

1 - 1 1/2 (for seeded bermudagrass)

1/2 - 3/4 (for hybrids)

1 1/2 - 2 1/4 (for seeded bermudagrass)

3/4 - 1 1/8 (for hybrids)
Buffalograss
1 - 2
1 1/2 - 3
Colonial bentgrass
1/2 - 1
3/4 - 1 1/2
Creeping bentgrass
1/2 or less
3/4 or less
Dichondra
1/2 - 3/4 (can be unmowed)
3/4 - 1 1/8
Hard fescue
1 1/2 - 2 1/2
2 1/4 - 3 3/4
Kentucky bluegrass
1 1/2 - 2 1/2
2 1/4 - 3 3/4
Kikuyugrass
1 - 1 1/2
1 1/2 -2 1/4
Perennial ryegrass
1 1/2 - 2 1/2
2 1/4 - 3 3/4
Red fescue
1 1/2 - 2 1/2
2 1/4 - 3 3/4
Rough bluegrass
1 - 2 1/2
1 1/2 - 3 3/4
Seashore paspalum
3/4 - 1 1/2
1 1/8 - 2 1/4
St. Augustinegrass
1 - 2
1 1/2 - 3
Tall fescue
1 1/2 - 3
2 1/4 - 4 1/2
Zoysiagrass
1/2 - 1
3/4 - 1 1/2
Photo of person mowing a lawn
Photo by Cheryl Reynolds
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