What is the Best Cutting Height for Fescue Turf?

Fescue lawns are one of the most popular grass types in metro-Atlanta, due to the ease of establishment (by seed or sod) and especially due to its bright green color throughout winter when warm-season turfs are dormant and tan. Late winter and spring is often the most beautiful time of year for the well-cared for fescue lawns owned by Crabapple’s clients.  

Old-fashioned perennial bunch-type fescue grows rapidly during spring and fall, and due to its clumping style of growth, may require pre-emergent herbicide to stop weeds. Newer turf-type hard fescues developed and monitored by researchers at UGA and other land grant colleges are:

• more carpet-like, 
• improved disease resistance, 
• improved shade, heat and drought tolerance, 
• handsome dark medium green color. 

This season’s green lawns set off to perfection the brilliant pansies and snapdragons now blooming in adjacent flower beds

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Late winter and spring mowing by CrabappleLandscapExperts is carefully calibrated to insure that the green top growth balances the hidden roots of the grass. We use rotary mowers with sharp blades to cleanly slice through the grass leaves without tearing. We mow the properties you manage often enough so that we never stress the lawn by scalping, removing only 1/3 of the length of the grass leaf at a time. The LandscapExperts know that mowing too low can cause fescue grass to thin out. At the same time, we inspect lawns under our care, checking for changes in color, health and density.  

Because Atlanta is near the southernmost limit for fescue, this type of turf can become stressed if mowed incorrectly, so it’s good to rely on our expertise. Two to three inches of height (depending on physical and climate conditions) creates an even-textured finish and a smooth, velvety surface that sets off landscapes and architecture while hiding uneven grading. To discuss your lawn with a CrabappleLandscapExpert, phone 770-740-9739. 


Photo Credit Brian Cross and Mooseys Country Garden