How to Cut St. Augustine Grass

As a kid, you cut the grass and did not give it much thought. As an adult, you want your grass to be healthy and in good condition. Each type of grass has its own maintenance and protocols that allow the grass to maximize its greatest potential. The following are important steps for cutting St. Augustine grass, a lawn grass that is widely used in milder climates.

Things You'll Need

• Lawn mower

Instructions

1. Mow St. Augustine Grass to between 1 and 1.5 inches in height during the cooler months of the year, and 2.5 to 3 inches during the hotter months.

2. Use a very sharp blade. A dull blade will damage St. Augustine grass, causing it to eventually turn brown.

3. Remove no more than one-third of an inch at a time.

4. Do not bag the clippings. St. Augustine clippings left on the lawn will help the still-growing grass.

5. Mow when the grass is dry. If it has just rained or has been sprinkled, wait a few days.

Tips & Warnings

• In California, St. Augustine Grass needs to be mowed less often.

• Be cautious of scalping this type of grass (cutting it too short, so that the yellow or brown stem tissue is exposed). This may permanently damage its root system.

• Never reduce the height of the grass by more than one-third of an inch per mow. If the lawn is extremely long, cut one-third of an inch, allow it to rest a few days and cut it again.