How to Properly Mow a Lawn - Is Mowing Tall or Short Better for the Roots?

Learn about the lawn mowing mistakes that people often make and how they negatively impact the health of the lawn. What is the best height to mow the grass? Is mowing the lawn tall better than mowing it short? How often should you mow a lawn? Is mulching the grass clippings beneficial for the lawn or is it bad?

[@DwayneHicks426]

You know you're getting old when you enjoy these type of videos. Not ashamed. Update: Currently 33.

[@fernandorangel4679]

I'm 19 and I enjoyed this lol

[@Sephenon]

29 lol

[@ericboyle7426]

Damn 35....

[@chocOneOOne]

at 39 and someone who doesn't really care too much about lawns except that the HOA makes me do it and I like it to look nice, I will be putting these to use and probably finding some youtube black hole where I watch 30 lawn videos now. Thanks Digg.

[@imaramblins]

42 here. Oldest so far. Ha ha.

[@ryanle1009]

Who else doesn’t have a dad to teach us this?

[@cucaracha6365]

That's sad

[@bttremby6642]

Pootie Tang are you ok? You just wrote a full on essay

[@bttremby6642]

Pootie Tang okay...

[@bttremby6642]

Pootie Tang I’m good, are you good?

[@bttremby6642]

Pootie Tang I am doing fantastic

[@boogieheads]

I’m 16 and I need this vid to not make me look like an idiot at my new job, Thanks!

[@henrymccarty8014]

He'll yeah lil youngster learn bro trust me nd save up ur money for at least till ur 18 help out ur parents nd see the respect u get from ur parents nd ur friends ull leave them with their mouths open nd stay away from drugs nd alcohol trust me U I'll see later y I tell u this stranger to stranger I know video games, clothes,etc... But wait bro pls trust me again u'll need it later cause u have to work nd get a car imagime when ur 18 u can have a lot of money get a car work a business etc...... Cause when U grow up things are not the same 😣

[@thatpersonineverycommentse2195]

what henry said save up your money!!! seriously at most spend half your money on fun and half in your savings

[@Plxyboy.ethynn]

I need it to just not dissapoint my parents lmao

[@markpalcko9753]

Don't worry about it kid, I'm 37 and I'm still an idiot lol.

[@coopsliz8432]

@@Plxyboy.ethynn same bro

[@benhemoth4693]

You're the closest thing I've ever had to a dad. Thanks Dad

[@olivedinuss8564]

🤣🤣

[@Furhman]

I just watched this. Totally agree.

[@LV-jh4zt]

😁

[@OrganoLawn]

You're welcome son or daughter, haha.

[@tacoboss8211]

Wholesome

[@victorkendera3958]

The three goats I have do a pretty good job of keeping the grass trimmed. Had 4, but he got hit by an airplane. That was a bad day.

[@slum3947]

Damn airplanes always killing the goats goats lives matter

[@slum3947]

@OBServe Garage yeah me too.. I'm saying pictures or it didn't happen

[@thomasmorse6692]

Man when you said airplane, that really got my goat.

[@gbrown3783]

Rip

[@jaythangry40]

I know this comment was posted 10 months ago, but I really feel the need to hear this story.

[@kristofferh3581]

I'm currently 27 and love these videos! My girlfriend and our soon 7 month old son got us a house and i look forward every time i can mowe the lawn. I actually go outside later on the day just to check the lawn and look how good it looks after i have mowed it 😊 it's something new when you have something for you're self like this

[@roborat2000]

How did your girlfriend and your baby get you a house?

[@kristofferh3581]

@@roborat2000 sorry i miss spelled. We got a house together 😊 i have a job and my gf is currently applying for a new job atm 🙂

[@yenbbc8840]

i enjoy doing my own yard rather than hire someone who doesn't pay attention to the details. also mine looks better than all the neighbors that are professionally done.

[@michaellyons5663]

Around here they charge over 100 a week to mow the lawn s and it looks like crap on most of them when they're finished.

[@thecurebr]

I recently moved from Brazil to the US. It was not part of my upbringing to see my dad mowing the lawn. I find it very satisfying to do it. Thanks for sharing these 3 tips.

[@algorel4763]

Very informative video. First time all the basics were covered well. Well done!

[@benjifrater6077]

Thank you very much. This was well made and very informative. I've been doing it wrong. Now I shall change. Cheers!

[@richr108]

I was amazed at how much better my lawn looked when I kept the blade sharp. Doesn’t take very long even with a hand file and if you’re mulching, it’s far better to have a sharp blade over a dull one.

[@joecampbell2529]

Great to see the 2" vs. 3" cutting over time. Nicely done.

[@MallocArray]

Thank you. Good summary early in the video and then more detail as it goes along.

[@StephenStylesGoesVanCamp]

I had beautiful lawn in my 20's now 41 I've moved into an old big property and it was like a Forrest so I'm here still looking for tips and realise I did the right thing cutting it really bare almost because it had flattened long blades now two weeks later it's coming back and looking ok so it's 3" from now on especially for over winter as it's due here in uk 👍 I know others will want to know that's why their here 👍

[@JKZ103]

Thank you!!!! I practice this and have been telling people this for years!!!

[@BlazeNarutoShippuden]

I'm in my 30s and my step father never taught me how to mow a lawn he always did it himself. I have to do it now really soon and have no idea what to do. will be watching your videos for sure.

[@jonzo22]

Do it for the hidden leaf village

[@RealCptHammonds]

You're right on all points! Also, the more expensive mowers have the ability to set the deck higher than cheaper ones. I realized this when I finally stepped up to a zero turn with a steering wheel from Cub Cadet. I have a steep bank on my lakeshore and I'm the ONLY one around that has a ***steering wheel*** zero turn in my area. Everyone that has lap bars on their zero turns end up in the lake at least once. 😉

[@starfox6335]

This helped me so much! Took some time but its paying off!

[@tripfall224]

great video. I've seen most of these but certainly learned more tips. Great presentation. Thanks Organo-lawn!!!

[@AFROGUIDER]

beautiful content, we all love lawns , thats what we spend most our day here in Calgary- mowing lawns 16 hours every day.

[@MegaSquiff]

Big thanks for the tips. Going to sharpen my mower blades today.

[@daniencio]

Okay, this entire video is exactly what I was looking for!

[@jd415]

Great video thanks for posting!

[@jdoasis20]

Goodness I was mowing my yard completely 😱 wrong!!! Thank you.

[@mbongenijunior1361]

Thank you very much for an informative video, really helpful for me because its my first time cutting the lawn

[@lostinmyspace4910]

Man, great tips. I have 4 acres, and I mow with a 72 inch Land Pride pull behind deck. Pulled with a Ford 8 N tractor. I use a push mower for the front of the house. I need too measure my grass height since Ii just mowed last nite, and I will make the appropriate adjustments. THUMBS UP!!

[@OrganoLawn]

Good stuff

[@gerrymartin9887]

Extremely informative, and easy to follow along. Immensely appreciated. Sincerely, A lawn moving novice

[@OrganoLawn]

Glad it was helpful!

[@dcooper1994]

You need to specify different heights for different types of grass. Bermuda and zoysia should be mowed lower around 1-2”.

[@OrganoLawn]

We don't know much about warm season grasses so we will take your word on Bermuda and Zoysia.

[@coreysmith8560]

These are great tips on how to mow your lawn better.

[@sahlind]

There was a severe drought last year where i did not mow the lawn during early spring. I would say it was about 3-4" and it was much greener than the neighbors who had cut theirs multiple times before the water shortage.

[@tekjunkie28]

Mow high and it will benefit you. Also follow the 1/3 rule.

[@nicholassmith82]

This doesn't apply to warm season grasses like Bermuda and Zoysia.

[@cloud71800]

Excellent video, clear and with enough information and graphics

[@DashDrones]

I live in Ireland, never have to water! But going to start leaving it grow a bit longer, great tip👍

[@captainlarrynosleepfishing5350]

Great video 👍🏻 you are correct sharpen your blades once a month 😁 and mow at 3 inches 😎

[@howisjt]

This well done video is by a Colorado-based firm. Their 3" height minimum is true for most cool-season grasses, but not necessarily for warm-season grasses of the southern states. Here, height depends upon turfgrass variety. Cut St. Augustine tall, but Bermuda short. Zoysia can go both ways depending upon the water and labor you want to put into it. Essentially, shorter cut lawns must be cut more frequently so that you're never removing more than 1/3 of their height. Even with my crappy St. Augustine yard I have to cut more than once every 7 days during the peak of the summer growing season. If I don't, I end up with clobbs of grass leaves smothering the lawn beneath and I end up taking. And I do sharpen my blades several times per season, but probably not every 4 cuts. (I don't work in the industry but years ago I did earn a horticulture degree which included a semester-long turfgrass class.)

[@Sephenon]

Can confirm after military in Polk, LA/Drum, NY/CO now. Scalped in one state, max deck height here, cut like my hometown up north because I was from there (aka the wrong way -_-...)

[@bethk1280]

Every site I visit says Southern Common Bermuda should be 1.5-2" tall. The manufacturer seed says 2". Videos like this are confusing to me. Has anyone successfully kept their Bermuda grass taller?

[@billwest7481]

Use a Toro Atomic or Craftsman premium mulching blade. They are same design. That will basically vaporize clippings and no clumps.

[@OrganoLawn]

Someone who gets it! Thanks James.

[@amigo4909]

I live in Northern Utah I have to mow my lawn 2X per week at 3.5 inches high. If the lawn is not mowed this often it will be too tall to mulch. When you mulch you should only cut off 1/3 of the height of the grass.

[@ThaRedPitbull]

Awesome video. I cut my grass at 3.5 and it looks fantastic. In my younger days, I would try to cut it the shortest as possible thinking I wouldn't have to cut it as often. Since I've been doing it right for the last couple of years it does take longer but it looks great. I wish my neighbor cared how his yard looked. His lawn looks horrible and the blades on his lawnmower are crooked so they leave unsightly marks everywhere. Once after I got through cutting grass (3 1/2 hours) he gets on his lawnmower and blows grass clippings on my freshly cut yard! It pissed me off to no end. It sucks you can pick your parents and neighbors.

[@IRoYaILTY]

It takes you 3 1/2 hours to cut your grass!? You should seriously invest in a zero turn mower. I work for a landscaping company and mow on the weekends for extra cash. Even when doing everything myself (mow, string trim, and blow) it never takes more than an hour. Those much larger properties we use zero turns

[@yenbbc8840]

time to put in a fence or flower bed.

[@usa5046]

3.5 hours is a tough job mowing the lawn lol I would pass out doing that much grass

[@adamp146]

Ok Karen or Daren

[@wokeupinapanic]

My advice is to not worry about what anyone else is doing because you sound like a Royal a-hole lol

[@Jer-me7pj]

agree fully. I used to take care of 62 lawns

[@aidanbrett8744]

Sharp sharp sharp. I agree evry 4 to 8 mows i sharpen. Good video mate.

[@Coronet_1969_]

Great tips including to change directions, people forget that!

[@cardo1111]

Good vid and info, however sharpening your blade every 4 mows is unreasonable. Once a season or every few months is fine for most lawns.

[@imaramblins]

Very good information, but IMHO it's NOT that most homeowners who cut their own grass too low inadvertently set the lawnmower too low, it's that they cut shorter because they don't want to mow as OFTEN.

[@OrganoLawn]

We service about 5000 customers and when we inform them that they are cutting their lawn too short they always say, "I am cutting it on the highest setting." Then we go look at their lawn mower and it is on the middle setting. Then they say, "my son cut the lawn last, he must have lowered it because I had it on the highest setting."

[@imaramblins]

@@OrganoLawn That's hilarious. It's often human nature to deny that you're wrong, or pass the buck to someone else like your child. LOL. BTW: Just sharpened my blade today, and raised the setting. Through fertilizer, weed and feed, etc. I've been slowly bringing my lawn back to life. Now I have proper cutting techniques in my arsenal as well. Thanks so much for your informative video.

[@Zavex]

You did outstanding Brad! 😁

[@410kane]

The People that disliked this video set their lawnmowers at the middle setting

[@kristinaolea6119]

Lol

[@OrganoLawn]

haha

[@myboyteo9]

Thanks buddy. Very helpful

[@njstorozuk]

What a baller. I'm glad I did both of these techniques before watching. My customers should be happy

[@tandrace8622]

Great tips, thanks!

[@cowboy73386]

Great video and subscribed, gave a thumb's up. Learned a lot!

[@davidfutter9980]

This is all good advice if you live in the US, but hear in Britain the average mowing hight is between 1 and 2 inchs, and my grass at an inch short is dark green like the grass mowed at 3 inches in the video, so really It all depends on where you live and what sort of grass you have. I use a rotory Honda mower with a rear roller, beautiful stripes with no wheel marks.

[@cuthwulf]

Not gonna lie, when he showed the two lawns, I think the 2" lawn looked better.

[@RandomyersChannel]

Great video, thanks for the tips!

[@edgarluis9177]

Thank you for t Sharing all the info!!!👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@robwhiff3411]

Very informative video thanks for the great tips 🙂👌.. why do you recommend for the blade option when cutting without the bag on a push mower ( regular or mulching blade ect..)?

[@TRUMPUSA1]

Mulching blade

[@yhjitsh]

Guys , you are amazing. Ive been wasting so much money in the last 2 years to build up the grass in my garden and 5 min you tube video just made my garden so so lovely. No i have to waste more water for front garden cz I've cutted to short ohh . And i realise that all my neighbours are cutting short lol but dont worry im gonna tell them

[@OrganoLawn]

Glad this video helped you! Thanks for the note.

[@yhjitsh]

@@OrganoLawn i wish i can upload a pic here. Everyone on my street is amazed. I have few more small spots to fill up like 2 3 inches circles but the way grass looks is heavenly. So stupid i was before watching this video

[@devonwalter6053]

To short for a radial mower: anything below 3” To short for a reel mower: anything below 1/2” or 1” I use a zero turn radial mower at my farm since I live on a rather large piece of property but I want to use a reel mower for around the house while still using the zero turn radial mower for everything else.

[@woundedwhale786]

Quick to the point video. Subscribed! A question please. Is a hover mower a bad idea? Is it better to use the type of mower with wheels you are using in this video always better? Thanks in advance.

[@moytheboy22]

Keep grass at 3 inches? Hmm okay *Laughs in reel mowing*

[@brockmedlin4589]

So glad I found this comment .25” gang.

[@surimaribo24]

thank you for the valueable information and share . appriciated

[@OrganoLawn]

My pleasure!

[@simmybrown1718]

Thank you so much

[@Big.Ron1]

Growing up here in Phoenix I was taught to water 2x a week deeply. The Bermuda grass will spread and fill in best. Also to cut it short until it has filled in. I was taught it would help it be tolerant of times with missed watering. After it is reestablished in spring then to cut it ~2". I dont know if it is correct or not. It is just how I was taught back in the late 60s & early 70s. And now, I am moving to Iowa so have to learn how to get rid of the sticker weeds there and what to over seed with and how to care for it. I am 64 and still trying to learn and get better. Thank you for your videos.

[@OrganoLawn]

We are not sure about warm season grasses like the ones that grow in areas like Phoenix, but this is the correct technique for cool season grasses which you will most likely have in Iowa.

[@evicous9735]

I mow my lawn super low so I don't have to cut it very often but yeah. Plus my grass is more weeds than grass, so there's that factor as well

[@im1dermike]

Your lawn likely has weeds BECAUSE you mow so low.

[@jasonadams7991]

@@im1dermike Not the original guy you responded to but I mow my lawn low also so I don't have to cut as much, I am not picky about my lawn, KZbin recommended me this video for some reason, interesting video nice to know for future reference if I ever do get picky about my yard.

[@yeetwchybaban]

@@jasonadams7991 hmm

[@user-tb2wz1tr8y]

No matter. If you're happy, you're good. If weeds are fine because they're green and fill holes, have at it.

[@stevehebert2189]

Golf courses mow their fairways way shorter than 3" and have no weeds, It can be done, Just takes mowing more often.

[@greenmarine5]

Great video if you live in the southern states, try that 3 inch mow crap in the north and you'll be mowing every DAY!! Anywhere north of Penn and east of Ohio is considered the North for you non Geographical type.

[@pogococo2246]

thank you! I am a beginner

[@franciscoperez6356]

Great information ! Thanks

[@AaronDav-nq8hk]

great video. think it does depend on the grass, but good explanation none the less

[@DamienMalakay]

very informational! i have been cutting grass wrong, however, how often should we water it? what time? how long?

[@turtle42164]

Sharpening the blades every 4 or 5 mows is a lot. Especially for commercial mowers. Some of those guys are mowing 4 or 5 lawns a day.

[@Cyranek]

1:33 they stole my world record poop oh no

[@juljasmaharchive]

Bruh

[@Cautioned]

this had me weak

[@yeetwchybaban]

Eh

[@yeetwchybaban]

@Dave Goldspink eh

[@pandellic]

love the vids lol

[@jaquala88]

Whew I needed this

[@jimmydickson8854]

Thanks mate

[@DavidManifestation]

I thank you guy's

[@myturkishlife1777]

Brilliant video thanks 😁👍

[@bella-bond]

Thank you!!

[@sadequeali949]

Excellent vid thank u

[@OscarRodriguez-ln2om]

I love this stuff

[@davidhernandez2695]

thanks for the helpful video

[@merrymanrc]

Great tip 👍

[@juanpuya7664]

Thanks for the tip

[@OrganoLawn]

No problem!

[@verinb9]

Hi and thankyou for this video. Do you raise both the front and back wheels all the way up?

[@OrganoLawn]

Yes that is correct. Move both the front and the back. They might adjust in the opposite directions so make sure you don't accidentally move one up and the other down.

[@francor.4881]

Wow bro complete video thanks

[@samburdge9948]

Nice video…..why are the blades pushing over in the same direction a priblem

[@beauhatman4395]

"Sharpen blade every 4 mows"......hahahaha Yeah, like THAT'S gonna happen.

[@OrganoLawn]

Probably not, but that is best. Most people sharpen their blades once every 30-40 years. haha

[@RandomyersChannel]

The blades on my riding mower didn't get sharpened until the mower was 9 years old.

[@user-tb2wz1tr8y]

Was thinking the same thing.

[@manolid]

Good info.

[@smallengines1018]

I mow on a 2 1/2. Is that bad? Do I need to raise or can I keep it at a 2.5 and get the same results?

[@cdx873v]

Thank's!

[@almadermusic]

Thank you

[@minaplatt1]

There wasn’t any mention of different types of grass being cut at different heights. I was told that fescue is cut high and zoysia is cut low. Most of the lawns my young son cuts in my neighborhood has zoysia. What are your thoughts on this? Thx! Great video!

[@OrganoLawn]

This video was shot for our customers that live in Colorado. We don't have warm season grasses in this area.

[@jcbbe]

thanks

[@LEBRONJAMES-vz3ik]

THANKS

[@maryanntilley5046]

are u actually lebron

[@Moondoggy1941]

I've been having issues with my lawn not growing fast, I cannot get it to grow 4 inches, I have not mowed my lawn in 2 weeks, I have fescue, and I use organic's and limestone, my grass is nice a green but no growth, I water every other day, I am in a Zone 9A so we are getting in the hot season, morning sun, usually temps 95 to 115, I had a sold sample done and I was told to add limestone, if I mow my lawn my Honda plastic deck lawnmower only fills a 1/4 of the way, typical smaller front yard in Ca. maybe 800 sq ft. Any ideas?

[@leewest9274]

Is this for uk lawns aswell

[@minaplatt1]

Another question, how many times can a blade typically be sharpened before it should be replaced? The new blades at Lowe’s etc. come with a dull edge. Are they good enough? Or do folks sharpen a brand new blade as well??

[@OrganoLawn]

If you are sharpening a blade properly you should be able to get about 100-200 sharpening before it needs to be replaced.

[@Survivor-ng4te]

Great video

[@405DCFL]

Depending on the type off grass you growing

[@daves9355]

Exactly! When he says 3 inches...I was thinking not on bermuda!

[@mrzoomduarte7964]

True

[@TheRoguelement]

When people cut the lawn to short you destroy your lawns ability to retain moisture in the ground you also stunt proper root growth which helps grow a healthy lawn leaving your grass on the long side promotes healthy root grown and water retention ..

[@OrganoLawn]

Spot on!

[@bigdaddymark337]

5/22/20 6:42p.m. Hey, I hear you I mow for the Arc of Crew Labor Chestnut Ridge Center here in Turnersville,New Jersey we're just out on state of emergency because of the covid-19 which really sucks and hopefully we can all get back to work soon either this next month June or July but nothing is set in stone and I am a really good mower I take my time I get it done right and I kill it like Nike! Please pass the word on thank you and have a nice day.,1:04

[@nodnagud]

Just one quibble. The demonstration dealing with the height setting of the mower shows both front and back height adjustments being set to the fifth socket back toward the handle to raise the mower to the "correct height." That may be correct for the mower he's using but didn't work for my Toro. After using this video as a guide I tried it and it cut the first few swaths VERY SHORT. I thought my mower might have been broken but a quick look at my owners manual showed the problem. I can't speak for all TORO's but with my model you need to raise the mower by putting the front adjustment back toward the handle BUT the back wheel adjustment forward toward the front to gain a balance height. My suggestion is that he really should have cautioned to check your manual to see how to properly raise the mower height. Sorry this was so long, just trying to help.

[@OrganoLawn]

Yes, every lawn mower is different. We only used one as an example and recommend if the lawn mower deck goes down that might be the incorrect direction.

[@mandechiko6844]

great to see

[@antoniobrown3219]

Do these tips (especially height of cut) apply to all grass types? Looks like you have some type of Fescue, I have Bermuda. Thanks.

[@OrganoLawn]

Our recommendations are for cool season grasses. We do not know much about warm season grasses so it is best to consult a warm season grass expert about Bermuda grasses.

[@ZENIGMATV]

Crab grass is the least of my Problems in the weed garden.

[@stuartwilsdon9683]

Thanks for an informative video. I live in Devon in the UK and I think all your tips apply here too!