Mowing height
Turf
In plain English
Optimal mowing height varies by species. Cool-season grasses are mowed taller (3 to 4 inches) to shade the soil and conserve moisture. Warm-season grasses can take much shorter cuts (¾ to 2 inches). Cutting more than ⅓ of the blade in a single visit stresses the plant — the "1/3 rule."
Why it matters for lawn care operators
Cutting too short is the single most common amateur mistake and leads to weed pressure, dryness, and customer complaints two weeks later. Setting the right height for each property is part of operator skill.