Pro's Guide to Cutting Height for Bermuda Grass

Everything You Need to Know About Bermuda Grass Care

Cutting your grass to the right height can mean the difference between a beautiful lawn, and fighting weeds and dead spots. Cutting frequency and cutting height of Bermuda grass are the two most important variables to getting a great bermuda grass lawn. 

We analyzed Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service recommendations to create a set of optimal mowing practices for Bermuda grass lawns. 

Here are the crucial points for maintaining a healthy and attractive Bermuda grass lawn:

• Mow bermuda grass to a height of 1 to 2 inches, striking a balance between lawn health and appearance.
• Weekly mowing is essential during the growing season, promoting denser turf and better weed control.
• Mow Bermuda grass at least weekly in the summer. Utilize weekly cuts from May to September and less frequent mowing in cooler months..
• Use a reel mower and cut every 4-5 days for a golf course-quality lawn. More frequent mowing (every 5 days) and specialized equipment like reel mowers may be necessary.

By following these guidelines, homeowners can achieve a beautiful, healthy Bermuda grass lawn while balancing maintenance efforts and lawn appearance.

Ideal mowing height for a Bermuda Grass lawn: 1 inch to 2 inches

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, recommends mowing your bermuda grass lawn to 1 to 2 inches tall using a rotary mower ^[1]. 

Mowing shorter encourages the bermuda grass stolons to grow horizontally rather than vertically. This will help your grass to grow thicker. This is the best mowing height because it provides a great balance between lawn health and appearance for most homeowners.

Cut bermuda grass shorter than Zoysia grass or St Augustine grass.

Before you go out and lower your mower - ensure you’re not cutting off too much grass

The One-Third Rule of Mowing Height

Never remove more than ⅓ of the grass height in a single mowing. This rule, emphasized by turfgrass experts, helps maintain lawn health and prevents scalping ^[1]. For example, if your lawn is 3 inches tall, don't cut more than 1 inch off at once. This rule prevents you from cutting off too much photosynthesizing tissue and stressing the lawn. 

Additionally, don't bag your grass clippings. Leaving them in the lawn (if they're not too excessive). This allows the nutrients to get reabsorbed by the soil.

Now that you know how much to cut - get your mower adjusted to the right height

How to Set Your Mow Height on Your Lawn Mower

Both traditional mowers and reel mowers provide height adjustments to control how much grass you are cutting off the grass.

1. Place your mower on a flat, hard surface.
2. Measure the distance from the ground to the bottom edge of the mower deck.
3. Adjust the mower deck height using the lever or adjustment mechanism.
4. Re-measure to ensure the desired height is achieved.

Should You Mow Shorter?

While it's possible to mow bermuda grass shorter than 1 inch, especially for hybrid bermuda varieties used on golf courses and athletic fields, this requires more frequent mowing - often multiple times per week using a reel mower ^[1]. For most homeowners, getting to the professionally labeled “proper mowing height” is unnecessary and impractical. Your lawn will look fine, and it’s more than double the work.

Mow Every Week, Not Bi-Weekly

Regular mowing is essential for a healthy Bermuda grass lawn. Weekly mowing offers several benefits:

1. Improved lawn thickness and density - short grass grows out, not up.
2. Better weed control - short grass can compete better against broadleaf weed and nutsedge.
3. Increased stress tolerance - short grass has more photosynthesizing tissue.

Mowing more regularly encourages lateral growth rather than vertical growth, resulting in a denser turf ^[1].

Annual Bermuda Grass Mowing Schedule

Warm season grasses begin to grow in March and go dormant starting in November.

This table outlines two schedules. The first schedule balances lawn health, appearance, and maintenance costs (if you’re outsourcing). The "Golf-Course Results" column is for those seeking an ultra-manicured look. 

If you’re looking for a golf-course lawn, you’ll most likely need to invest the time and equipment to do it yourself. Most residential landscaping companies that we’ve worked with don’t offer cuts more than once a week. Don’t be afraid to ask though.

For the DIY'er

If you're maintaining your lawn yourself, consider these 3 tips:

1. Sharp Blades: Ensure your mower blades are sharp. Dull blades tear grass, leading to brown tips and increased disease susceptibility.
2. Dual Blade Mowers: Consider upgrading to a dual-blade mower for a cleaner cut.
3. Proper Watering: Adequate irrigation is crucial for lawn health. Bermudagrass is drought-tolerant but performs best with proper watering ^[2]

For the Outsourcer

Follow these 4 tips to get the most from your lawn service:

1. Ask them to cut on the lowest setting. (1-2 inches for most lawns).
2. Request that they alternate mowing patterns to prevent ruts and promote even growth.
3. Ensure you’re on a weekly schedule especially during the growing season
4. Ask them not to bag grass clippings so your lawn gets the benefit of additional nutrients.

For the Lawn Fanatic

For those seeking the ultimate golf-course lawn, follow these 6 steps for optimal grass mowing:

1. Reel Mower: Invest in a reel mower for the cleanest cut and lowest possible mowing height.
2. Cut Frequently - You can achieve the ideal recommended mowing height of 1 inch by cutting your lawn every 4-5 days. 
3. Soil Testing: Regular soil tests help optimize fertilization and pH management [3].
4. Precision Fertilization: Use soil test results to apply the right nutrients at the right time [3].
5. Thatch Management: Monitor and manage thatch buildup to maintain lawn health.
6. Lawn Aeration - warm season grasses benefit from core aeration - this can be paired with putting down new grass seed during “overseeding” 

Additional Considerations

• Clipping Management: Unless excessive, leave clippings on the lawn to recycle nutrients [3].
• Mowing When Wet: Avoid mowing wet grass to prevent clumping and potential disease spread.
• Mowing Patterns: Alternate mowing directions to promote upright growth and prevent wear patterns.

By following these guidelines and adapting them to your specific lawn conditions, you'll be well on your way to maintaining a beautiful and healthy bermudagrass lawn in Texas.

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