Why Mowing Height Matters During Hot Weather

When summer temperatures arrive in Southern Illinois, many homeowners focus on watering their lawn. However, one of the most overlooked factors affecting lawn health is mowing height.

Simply raising your mowing height during the summer can significantly improve your lawn’s ability to withstand heat and drought stress.

Why Taller Grass Is Better

Tall fescue naturally performs better when maintained at a higher mowing height.

Longer grass blades provide several benefits:

• Increased shade over the soil surface

• Reduced moisture loss

• Improved root development

• Better drought tolerance

• Reduced weed pressure

  
  

Think of taller grass as a natural sunscreen for your lawn.

The Problem With Cutting Too Short

Many homeowners unintentionally stress their lawn by mowing too low.

Cutting too much leaf tissue at once can:

• Reduce energy production

• Increase drought stress

• Encourage weed growth

• Create thin or patchy turf

• Weaken root systems

  
  

Short grass may look neat immediately after mowing, but it often struggles more during periods of summer heat.

Recommended Mowing Height for Tall Fescue

For most tall fescue lawns in Southern Illinois:

Summer mowing height should generally be between 3.5 and 4 inches.

Maintaining this height helps protect the crown of the plant and encourages deeper root development.

Follow the One-Third Rule

A simple rule of thumb is to never remove more than one-third of the grass blade during a single mowing.

Removing too much at once can shock the lawn and increase stress during already difficult growing conditions.

Healthy Roots Start at the Surface

What happens above the soil directly impacts what happens below it.

Taller grass creates stronger root systems. Stronger root systems help lawns tolerate drought, recover from stress, and remain healthier throughout the growing season.

Looking Ahead to Fall

Many lawns that struggle through summer are dealing with shallow roots and compacted soil.

Fall aeration and overseeding help create healthier root systems, improve soil conditions, and build thicker turf that can better withstand future summers.

The work you do this fall often determines how your lawn performs next year.

If you’re unsure whether your lawn is being mowed at the proper height, Hanson’s Lawn Care is always happy to help homeowners throughout Centralia and Southern Illinois evaluate their lawn care practices.