UF/IFAS Explains How High to Mow St. Augustinegrass

Before you mow your South Tampa lawn, check your mower height. UF/IFAS recommends keeping standard St. Augustinegrass varieties at 3.5 to 4 inches. Semidwarf varieties have a lower recommended range of 2 to 2.5 inches.

Remove no more than one-third of the leaf blade per cut. If you normally mow at 4 inches, cut before the grass grows past 6 inches. If it gets taller, raise the mower for the first pass and bring the height down over later cuts. Cutting too low in one pass can scalp the lawn.

If you don’t know which variety you have, check your sod invoice or ask your installer before lowering the deck. You can also measure a few blades after mowing to see how close you are to your target.

Need help maintaining your South Tampa lawn? Contact Ecoscape Outdoor Services.