Bermuda grass is a warm-season turf that thrives in intense summer heat. This rapid growth requires consistent and careful maintenance to prevent plant stress and maintain a dense, healthy appearance. Mowing height is the single most important factor determining the overall health and resilience of a Bermuda lawn during its peak growing season.
The Optimal Summer Cutting Height
The ideal summer cutting height for Bermuda grass depends on the specific variety and the type of mower used. For common Bermuda grass varieties, a finished height between 1.5 and 2 inches is recommended when using a standard rotary mower. Hybrid varieties, such as Tifway 419 or Tahoma 31, perform best when maintained at a lower height, ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 inches. Achieving the lower end of this range requires a specialized reel mower for a precise cut.
This low cutting height encourages the plant to grow horizontally rather than vertically. Bermuda grass spreads using above-ground runners called stolons, and lower mowing promotes this lateral growth for a denser turf. A thick turf canopy helps shade the soil, which reduces water evaporation and discourages weed seed germination. Cutting the grass too high causes the plant to thin out and produce “stemmy” growth, making the lawn prone to scalping if the height is later lowered.
Maintaining Height Through Consistent Frequency
Maintaining a consistent mowing frequency throughout the summer is essential. Turfgrass experts adhere to the “One-Third Rule”: no more than one-third of the grass blade height should be removed per mowing session. This rule prevents the physiological shock that occurs when too much photosynthetic tissue is suddenly removed.
For a Bermuda lawn maintained at a finished height of 1.5 inches, the grass should be mowed before it reaches 2.25 inches tall. During the active summer growing season, this rule often necessitates mowing two to three times per week to keep up with the plant’s rapid growth. Violating this rule forces the grass to draw on stored root energy to quickly regenerate the lost leaf surface.
Redirecting energy to leaf recovery means less energy is available for deep root development and defense mechanisms. This sudden energy drain increases the plant’s susceptibility to environmental stressors, including heat, drought, and fungal disease. Consistent, frequent cutting avoids this stress, allowing the plant to maintain a balanced energy budget for healthy growth.
Mower Blade Sharpness and Cutting Technique
The quality of the cut is just as important as the height and frequency of the mowing. A dull mower blade does not slice the grass cleanly; instead, it rips and shreds the leaf tissue. This tearing action leaves behind a ragged, open wound on the grass tip.
These frayed tips dry out quickly and turn white or brown, giving the entire lawn a noticeable dull, gray cast a day or two after mowing. The ragged edges also create a large entry point for pathogens, making the turf more susceptible to fungal infections like Brown Patch or Dollar Spot. The damaged plant must expend extra energy on healing the wound, diverting resources from overall health and vigor.
Blades should be sharpened or replaced at least once or twice during the summer, or approximately every 20 to 25 operating hours. A proper cutting technique involves varying the mowing pattern by 45 to 90 degrees with each cut. Changing the direction helps reduce soil compaction and encourages the grass blades to grow upright, leading to a more uniform appearance. Clippings should be mulched back into the lawn to return valuable nutrients to the soil, provided the One-Third Rule is consistently followed.