QuestionI have 5 acres. I treat about 2 acres of the lawn around my house with weed and feed. So, this grass looks much better then the other 3 acres, but it doesn't look that bad since this 3 acres is lower then the 2 acres. I think the run off treats it for me. Anyway, I maintain the area around my house for my kids to play on, guests see this more, and it stripes up nice when I mow it with my X-mark.
My question is...I mow at 3"...should I mow the last cut at 2.5"?
Answer It is preferable to leave the cutting height unchanged. More grass blades means more surface to catch light and do the all important photo synthesis thing. At the beginning of spring, it makes some sense to lower the cutting height because you want to stimulate the grass to grow rapidly and take advantage of the improving growing conditions. At that time too, it is opportune to rake/vacuum out the debris, apply fertilizer and weed killer if these are necessary.
The only reason why I would lower the cutting height in the fall is if I intended to sow a winter blend of grass seed for green grass in the coldest time of the year.
