Mowing St. Augustinegrass: Height, Frequency, and Equipment

Every grass has an optimal mowing height. Rule: remove only 1/3 of blade per mowing. Example: target 2 inches → allow growth to 3 inches between mows. With moderate fertilizing, weekly mowing suffices.

St. Augustine height: 2–3 inches. Rotary mowers work if lawn is relatively smooth and blade sharp. Otherwise, reel mower needed. Research: 3 inches best for partial shade.

If grass gets much taller than 3 inches → mow into tall stems → poor post-mow appearance.

Measure height: mower on flat surface, check blade-to-ground distance. All 4 wheels same height.

Sharp Blade Essential

If not sharpened in past year → sharpen or replace. Dull blades whip grass → ragged ends → yellow next day. Ragged blades lose more water → possible disease increase.

Fall/Winter Care

Let grass go dormant without excessive mowing. Nice brown winter color. Mid-March: mow off brown tops to expose soil to sun/warmth. Scalping very low unnecessary. Burning dead grass: illegal most areas, dangerous everywhere.

Clippings

Don't need to catch. Research: clippings on ground → no disease/thatch problems. Return nitrogen to soil → save fertilizer money.

St. Augustine doesn't usually form thatch if mowed regularly. Unneeded dethatching hurts more than helps. If turf grows in soil and thatch <½ inch → no dethatcher.

Mower Questions

Q: Do we really need a reel mower for St. Augustine?
A: If lawn flat, rotary with sharp blade works. If lots of low spots, rotary wheels scalp → half-moon spots. Fill depressions or buy reel. Strongly recommend mulching rotary – saves bagging time, saves fertilizer money.

Q: Best riding mower for St. Augustine?
A: Easy height adjustment, easy blade sharpening. Lawn must be substantially rut/hump-free. Riding mower wheel in rut → ugly scalp. St. Augustine at 2 inches needs sharp blade. Widest deck not best – 30–36 inches maneuvers better in typical home lawn.