Mowing Heights for zoysia grass and cutting frequency
 

I've been noticing a lot of asking about what mowing heights are recommended in comparison to their neighbors lawn. Here are some recommendations from UF off of their website the links at the bottom of the page. Hope this helps guys just trying to share the information that I have learned.

mowing
If fertilized as recommended, zoysiagrasses require frequent mowing during the summer to look their best. Medium- to coarse-textured zoysiagrasses should be mowed weekly,
or when they reach a height of 3–4 inches. They should be mowed at a height of 2–2.5 inches with a rotary mower. Fine-textured zoysiagrasses maintained at heights below 1 inch require more frequent mowing. Because zoysiagrass leaves are very coarse, they can be quite difficult to mow. Clippings should be left on the ground after mowing. They do not contribute to thatch buildup, as is often assumed, but are actually readily degraded by microorganisms. A sharp, well-adjusted rotary or reel mower should be used.


https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/LH/LH01100.pdf

Empire turf, the brand of zoysia grass I have @ my home in The Village of St James says that a cutting height of 1" is recommended. It goes on to say that cutting above 2" reduces quality...

http://www.empireturf.com/maintenance.shtml

I've been cutting my own lawns for over 40 years. I never once got out a ruler and measured the blades after mowing!

Stellar just stated for the upcoming season they are going to twice monthly mowing as their research says that is best for Zoysia. Seems to go against the info posted above. As advertisers here maybe they can clear this up.

Quote:
Originally Posted by DougB View Post
I've been cutting my own lawns for over 40 years. I never once got out a ruler and measured the blades after mowing!

You don't need to take out your ruler.

Have to disagree, I have a brand new Toro with cutting height adjustments on each wheel but none have any indication whatsoever as to what the cutting height will be......really have never seen a mower that indicates what the the cutting height will be on any adjustment. The last 2 Cub Cadets I owned showed 1-5 on the lever to raise and lower the deck but the numbers had nothing to do with what the actual cutting height would be. :clap2:

I just bought a new Honda mower at John Deere and the cutting heights are next to the wheels. It calibrates eight settings from 1 to 4 inches. I bought it to get the lawn down to 2 inches as my lawn mowing company resisted lowering the setting. They mowed a small section at 2 1/2 inches and the rest at 3 inches this spring. All last year I was trying to get them to cut lower as they had it at 3 1/2 and the Zoysia was piling up on itself and it didn't look good. They resisted all summer and fall. They would show up and mow at the same height as they did all the St. Augustine lawns up north. They don't like to change settings, I pay for push mowing so their mowers will bog down and stall if they let the lawn grow too tall.

I live in Hadley - anyone have an idea what type of Zoysia I might have?

Probably Empire Zoysia, the same as in Hemingway.

Maybe I will get a Honda next time, didn't know they had this but then they are probably the best out there, only mower I've seen that says it is the cutting height, would have thought Cub Cadets might have had it too...:D

Honda Lawn Mowers: HRX217HZA, HRX217K4HZA

According to the Master Gardener at Harry P Leu Gardens in Orlando the OP is correct. More often not less and at the higher setting.

I've read that website also, but the company that treats my lawn recommend 3"+. They claim the roots dry out to much when cut low. I cut my own lawn weekly at 3" and get nothing but inquires and compliments in the look, and thickness of my empire zoysia. It's like walking on a plush carpet. In the end, I don't know what is the best height, but I do know I like the way mine looks.

The problem with tall cutting heights is thatch. It's unavoidable...

I don't care what the experts say but I agree with you, the sun will dry out the roots. I've tried their recommendations of cutting it short and it looked scalped and burned out. I also cut mine at 3" and have one of the best looking lawns in the neighborhood. I started doing this because that is what I was told when I had St. Augustine in S. Fla. and seems to work here with Zoysa also.

Calling these guys experts is selling them short. These are the guys that genetically engineered this particular strain of Zoysia. They have a pretty good idea on maintenance practices...

Like they say, a picture is worth a thousand words. My lawn @ 1.4"

Looks great, but appears higher than 1.5", if not, then it is what it is. Yours is the exception to the rule from what I've seen around our neighborhood. The yards around us at 1-2" look sparse and not well. After cutting they even look worse. I'm guessing from the looks of your yard, it is well groomed, and treated often. I like it, and your landscaping is very tastefully done. Very nice indeed!

Okay, the height of the grass is important. So can all of you experts please tell me how frequently you water and the length of time.

I water twice a week, 1" or less total per week in the growing season. Over watering is a common problem with these turf types. They don't need much. If I see any wilt, a 5 minute syringe cycle to cool the air is all that is required.

Now that's a lawn!

Does anyone know someone that would come out to my house and tell me what is wrong with my grass? I have Zoysia. Front looks good however that back is AUFUL. I will pay them for their time.

Sumter County Extension Office ? Solutions for Your Life - UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences

you can get help from the extension office...but not on the weekend.

Thanks Kitty

Scalping
 

Mine is cut at 3 inches . Just before the growing season I like to cut it back to 2.5 inches to allow the green to pop up above the dead and dormant grass.

Next year I may have to cut back to 2 inches at first to achieve my goal but not a one time. I would cut the it back to 2.5 and then at next cutting to 2 inches then let it grow up to 3.5 then maintain it at 3 inches.

Many professionals say we should be cutting back to 2 inches but the proof is in the pudding. Many good looking yards here are at 3 inches.

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How are you measuring cutting heights? I've measured all my life as a machinist and toolmaker but measuring the height of cut is so inaccurate. I tried to measure from the top of the blade of grass to the base of the blade of grass, but the bottom surface is so soft that an accurate measurement couldn't be confirmed even measuring 5 times and getting 5 different results. I finally ended up measuring from cutting blade to bottom of wheels. I think many of us on this site are saying 2" and others are saying 3" and they both are the same because of how we measure.