In this Popular Mechanics article, Zane Raudenbush from the Davey Institute shares advice on how to mow your lawn at the perfect height, as well as how to best maintain your lawn. 

Posted: July 07, 2025

A man mowing a resident's lawn.Mowing your lawn each week during summer might seem as easy as pushing your mower without much thought. But when it comes to grass cutting, height matters. Cutting too short can stress the grass and invite weeds. Letting it grow too long makes it look unkempt and attracts pests. So, how do you find the right height and the best mowing schedule to maintain it? We spoke with Dr. Zane Raudenbush, Turfgrass and Herbicide Specialist at the Davey Institute, to get expert advice on mowing smarter, not just more often.

What Height Should You Cut Your Lawn?

The right mowing height depends primarily on your grass type. “Knowing your grass type is key because each category has different optimal mowing heights,” says Dr. Zane Raudenbush.

Cool-season and warm-season grasses each thrive at different heights and setting your mower too low or too high can cause stress, increase disease risk, or leave your lawn looking uneven. Here’s a breakdown of the recommended mowing heights for common turf grasses:

To continue reading Zane's advice, click here. 

The Davey Tree Expert Company, headquartered in Kent, Ohio, provides research-driven tree services, grounds maintenance and environmental and utility infrastructure consulting for residential, utility, commercial and environmental partners in the U.S. and Canada. As one of the top ten largest employee-owned companies in the U.S., Davey's 12,000 employees have been dedicated to creating and delivering sustainable solutions since 1880. Apply today to join the Davey legacy, and learn about how we're growing with our new SEED Campus

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