This is a question about grass. I have been a New England landscaper for over 10 years, working for a company. We traditionally cut grass quite short, which I saw as killing many lawns during August and July. Over time I observed that other, more successful lawns were cut slightly higher. I then researched recommended heights and began cutting lawns at what I saw to be the best height, 3 inches during the summer and no lower than 2 1/2 inches, except in extreme shade. This caused distress with my boss, who desires that lawns be cut shorter, maybe 1 1/4 inches to 1 1/2 inches. We have two crews- mine cuts high-the other cuts short. The shorter lawns seem more prone to diseases such as necrotic ring, and it seems that weeds thrive when exposed to low sunlight by virtue of a short cut. In all fairness many customers seem to want the grass cut shorter, but given the opportunity to speak, they usualy understand when I explain that horticulturalists recommend the heights I cut at. Yesterday my boss announced that he had modified our mowers, lowering the blades so that they arbitrarily cut short. I started a lawn and was horrified at what was happening. I raised the deck to its highest position but still it seemed way to short. My rule of thumb is this-If you cut away all the green, it's TOO DAMN SHORT! So my boss shows up and I express my frustration at his new settings. He sees it as no problem. I try to point out reserach and professional recommendations and he asks, "Have you ever attended a turf management class", I argued that my position was supported by professionals. He balked I then told him I would post pictures in a horticultural forum and seek a third opinion. He told me to make sure I mention that there is some Bermuda grass mixed in, which you see in clumps on one side of the lawn. The rest is fescue and stayed green and healthy all summer long, cut to 3 inches. Cut short, all that's left is yellow. Below I posted pictures of yesterday's cuts so you can render a collective opinion. Causing harm to grass makes me sick to my stomach. My boss thinks I am overreacting. Intuiition tells me the short cuts were harmful. What do you think?
Your boss is wrong and he's right at the same time, He's giving the customers what they want; the golf green shave. He's also doing the worst thing for the grass; cutting off the leaves and exposing the soil to evaporation and extra light for weed growth. I work 25 lawns a day on Vancouver Island, and I see this problem over and over; customers shaving their lawn within an inch of it's life. People are striving for that neat and tidy, tiddly look. A 3 inch lawn cut well looks great, is healthy, drought resistant and crowds out the weeds. It's tougher to educate customers than it is to give them what they want. Cheers....George
Short lawns are a tradition probably carried over from the spring-like summer climates of Britain and northern Europe. And the abundant skilled yet cheap labor. It's also nice to be able to walk on a damp lawn without getting your shoes soaked. In many layouts the lawn is the only path through the space. Small spaces should be paved instead.
I sought advice from turf professionals. Almost all agreed with me, that cutting short is no good, and is not a best Practice for landscapers. http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=290622
