is the grass greener on the other side?
Why I Recommend Mowing Your Lawn Higher Instead of Shorter
If you've ever hired me to mow your lawn or stopped to ask why the yards I maintain stay so green, you've probably heard me say one thing over and over:
"MOW. HIGHER!"
There are a lot of opinions about the "perfect" mowing height, but after taking care of lawns across Iowa, I've found that keeping your grass taller is one of the easiest ways to promote a healthier lawn.
Taller Grass Means Healthier Soil
When you leave your grass taller, it creates a canopy over the soil. That canopy helps shade the ground, keeping moisture from evaporating as quickly. More moisture in the soil means less stress on the grass and a healthier lawn overall.
At the end of the day, every lawn needs water to grow. But a taller lawn can go longer between waterings because it naturally helps retain that moisture.
Think of it this way: Would you rather sit in the direct hot sun or under some shade? Most people would choose the shade because it's cooler. Your lawn feels the same way.
Every Lawn Is Different
I don't believe every lawn should be cut at exactly the same height.
Every property is different, and I treat each one accordingly. My personal preference is around 4 inches, with 3¾ inchesstill being a good height. 3½ inches is about as short as I like to mow.
My clients hire me as a professional to use my best judgment when caring for their lawn, and mowing height is one of the biggest decisions I make.
The Problems With Cutting Too Short
Cutting grass too short can create several problems:
Scalping the lawn
Heat stress during summer
Increased insect activity
Overall weaker, less healthy turf
While the lawn may look neat immediately after mowing, the long-term health of the grass often suffers.
"I Want It Short Like a Golf Course"
This is probably one of the most common things I hear.
People tell me, "I want my yard mowed short because that's what the golf courses do."
The difference is that golf courses invest an incredible amount of time and money into maintaining turf that short. They aerate multiple times per year, topdress with sand to keep the surface perfectly smooth, manage irrigation precisely, and use grass varieties that have been conditioned for extremely low mowing heights.
Last time I checked, this is an Iowa lawn—not Augusta National.
Trying to treat your backyard like a championship golf course usually creates more problems than it solves.
One of the Biggest Mowing Mistakes
Another mistake I see all the time is cutting off too much grass at once.
If your lawn has gotten taller than normal, don't just lower the mower deck and hack it down. Instead, raise the mower and remove less grass on the first pass. If you still want it shorter, go back over it with a second cut at your desired height.
Your lawn will thank you for it.
Sharp mower blades are equally important. Dull blades don't actually cut the grass—they tear it. Torn grass takes longer to recover and can leave the lawn looking brown or stressed.
What Is the "Perfect Lawn"?
Honestly, the phrase "perfect lawn" is used way too often.
Everyone's idea of perfection is different.
Some people want a lawn with zero weeds. Some want a putting green in their backyard. Others just want their yard to stay green so they can mow it every week.
There's nothing wrong with any of those goals.
My Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, it's your lawn and your choice.
This article isn't meant to tell anyone they're wrong. It's simply my answer to one of the most common questions I get:
"How do you keep the lawn so green?"
From my experience, mowing higher is one of the easiest and most effective ways to help your lawn stay healthier, hold moisture longer, and better survive Iowa's hot summer months.
Sometimes the simplest change makes the biggest difference.