Mower height...what height do you cut?

Hi, I'm torn on what height is best for my situation.

I live in New England and most of my grass is fescue.

On another site, I read ideal height to cut fescue is 3" to promote rigorous growth and spreading.

I typically cut it at 3.5" or 4".

What would do you cut your grass at?

Thanks!!!

I always cut it as high as the mower will go, which is normally around 4 inches. the way I figure it is like grazing you want the animals to leave 4-6 inches of grass. Since mowing is just mechanical grazing i try to stick to the same idea.

Shorter in the cool seasons, early spring and late fall, longer in the summer when it's dryer or the grass is growing fast.

Thanks everyone for your responses.

Cheers,

High as she'll go. Let the clipping fall onto the lawn, unless I need it for compost/mulch. No other way to do it IMO.

Brendon, the ideal height is determined by 1: how frequently you want to mow and 2: how hot and or dry the weather is.

You mention you are cutting to a 3.5 inch height, this is spot on for almost all grasses to thrive and keep weed intrusion to a minimum.

I consider 3" a tad short for my purposes and 4" a tad long for my purposes. We cut grass for maximum water retention and weed control.

Short grass, in my opinion is for golf courses and soccer pitches. BTW golf "fairway" height 1/2 to 3/4", golf "rough" first cut is 1", second cut is 1.5", third cut is 2", then it is usually left at 4"+, soccer pitch height 3/4" . American Foot Ball grass fields are usually also 3/4"

For the best cut, carpet look you want to double cut the grass, this means you cut the entire lawn in one direction then go back over the whole lawn at a 90 degree angle to the first cuts direction. When viewed from a high point a proper double cut looks like a checker board pattern.