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Such Great Heights: How Tall Should Grass Really Be?

Having a great lawn isn’t as simple as watering and cutting your grass at regular intervals. It requires careful planning and constant vigilance. Among other things, it’s crucial to know exactly how tall to keep your lawn’s grass. This isn’t a cut-and-dry consideration: It’s dependent on a number of factors, including local ordinances and style preferences. Learn more about how to keep your grass at just the right height.

Variety Is Key

Aside from local ordinances and homeowner covenants, grass variety is the single most important determinant of lawn height. Since the San Antonio area lies at the boundary zone between several distinct climate types, your lawn could be dominated by one of several types of grass. While the region’s most common grass type is probably St. Augustine, some lawns use Bermuda grass or native buffalo grass.

St. Augustine Grass Considerations

Although St. Augustine grass is native to the Gulf Coast region and tropical areas of Mexico, it can tolerate San Antonio’s semi-humid climate. The grass grows quickly in high temperatures, so you’ll need to mow more frequently during the late spring, summer and early fall. Most lawn maintenance experts recommend keeping St. Augustine grass at a height of 2.5 inches and mowing once every seven days.

Bermuda Grass

Bermuda grass is also tropical or subtropical in origin, but it thrives at much lower blade heights. If you’re using a hybrid variety of this breed, your lawn’s height should be no more than one inch. If you’re using a standard Bermuda grass strain, two inches should be sufficient.

Going Native: Buffalo Grass

Buffalo grass is an entirely different beast: As a native prairie grass, it’s bred to grow to impressive heights and resist drought, fire and other environmental stresses. Although it’s entirely possible to let buffalo grass grow wild, it’s equally desirable to cut it to lengths of two inches. Since it grows more slowly than over varieties of grass, it doesn’t need to be mowed as frequently.

Neighborhood Ordinances and General Care Tips

If you live in a subdivision that’s governed by a homeowner’s association or specific neighborhood ordinances, be sure to follow any lawn-height restrictions to the letter. At the same time, it’s rare to find height restrictions that are more aggressive than the guidelines we’ve outlined here. No matter what your local rules say, be sure never to cut more than one-third of your lawn’s total height during any given mowing session.

Talk to the Lawn Maintenance Experts

No matter how tall you let your grass get, keeping a lawn in fighting shape can feel like a full-time job. From applying fertilizer to warding off common yard pests, it’s crucial to stay on top of the tasks that make your spread stand out from the rest. Whether you’re looking for advice on how to grow your grass or simply need a little extra help around the yard, you’ll find what you need on our homepage. You can also call (210) 599-9500 to speak with a San Antonio lawn maintenance professional, or schedule a free estimate through our website.

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