The short answer: Mow Georgia warm-season grasses at the right height for your grass type, never remove more than one-third of the blade at once, and keep your mower blades sharp for clean cuts that promote healthy growth.
Bermuda grass performs best at 1 to 2 inches. Zoysia thrives at 1 to 2 inches. Centipede prefers 1.5 to 2.5 inches.
Quick overview:
- Bermuda grass: Mow at 1 to 2 inches, typically twice per week during peak summer
- Zoysia grass: Mow at 1 to 2 inches, typically once per week
- Centipede grass: Mow at 1.5 to 2.5 inches, typically every 10 to 14 days
- St. Augustine grass: Mow at 2.5 to 4 inches, typically once per week
Keep reading to learn the mowing techniques that will transform your Georgia lawn from surviving to thriving. to learn exactly which weeds threaten Central Georgia lawns and how to stop them before they take over.
The Complete Lawn Care Approach: Our 5-Step Program
Proper mowing is one of the most important factors in lawn health, yet it is also one of the most misunderstood. Many Georgia homeowners actually damage their lawns every time they mow without realizing it.
Our lawn care program teaches Georgia homeowners the mowing practices that make professional lawns look so good. Combined with proper fertilization and weed control, smart mowing creates a lawn that resists weeds, handles drought, and looks great all season.
Whether you mow your own lawn or hire a service, understanding these principles helps you recognize good lawn care when you see it.
Why Mowing Matters More Than Most Georgia Homeowners Realize
Mowing is not just about keeping your lawn short. Every time you mow, you are either helping or hurting your grass. There is no neutral.
When you cut grass, the plant responds by putting energy into regrowth. Cut it correctly, and you encourage thick, horizontal growth that crowds out weeds. Cut it incorrectly, and you stress the plant, weaken the roots, and open the door to disease and weed invasion.
The key principle is this: your mower is either a tool for lawn health or a weapon against it. The difference comes down to height, frequency, blade sharpness, and timing.
Georgia’s warm-season grasses have specific needs based on how they grow. Bermuda, Zoysia, Centipede, and St. Augustine all spread horizontally through stolons or rhizomes. Proper mowing encourages this spreading growth pattern, which creates a dense turf that naturally resists weeds.
Bermuda Grass Mowing Guide for Georgia Lawns
Bermuda grass is the most popular lawn grass in Georgia, and it responds dramatically to mowing practices. Get it right, and Bermuda rewards you with a thick, carpet-like lawn.
Finding the Right Height
Keep Bermuda grass between 1 and 2 inches tall during the growing season. Most Georgia homeowners do best at around 1.5 inches, which balances appearance with stress tolerance.
Lower heights (around 1 inch) create a tighter, more manicured look but require more frequent mowing and more water. Higher heights (closer to 2 inches) tolerate drought better and need less maintenance.
Hybrid Bermuda varieties like Tifway 419 can handle heights as low as 0.5 inches if you have a reel mower and the dedication to mow every 2 to 3 days.
Mowing Frequency During Georgia Summers
During peak growing season (May through August), Bermuda grass in Georgia may need mowing every 4 to 5 days. Yes, that sounds like a lot. But remember the one-third rule: never remove more than one-third of the blade height at once.
If you keep your Bermuda at 1.5 inches, you should mow before it reaches 2.25 inches. During hot Georgia summers with regular rain, Bermuda can grow half an inch or more in just a few days.
Raising the Height for Stress Periods
When Georgia hits a drought or extreme heat wave, raise your mowing height by half an inch. Taller grass shades the soil, reduces water evaporation, and develops deeper roots.
Lower the height back down gradually once conditions improve. Drop it by a quarter inch per mowing until you return to your normal height.
Critical warning: Scalping Bermuda grass (cutting it extremely short) in summer stresses the plant severely and can cause permanent damage. Save any scalping for early spring before green-up begins.
Our lawn care program includes guidance on seasonal mowing height adjustments specific to Georgia’s climate patterns.
Zoysia Grass Mowing Guide for Georgia Lawns
Zoysia grass grows more slowly than Bermuda, which means less frequent mowing but also less room for error. Zoysia takes longer to recover from mowing mistakes.
Understanding Zoysia’s Growth Pattern
Zoysia produces a dense, thick turf that feels soft underfoot. This density comes from tight horizontal growth, but it also means Zoysia builds up thatch faster than other grasses.
Mowing at the correct height helps control thatch by encouraging upward growth over horizontal growth. Too-low mowing stimulates excessive stolon production, which increases thatch buildup.
Optimal Mowing Heights
Keep Zoysia grass between 1 and 2 inches in Georgia. Fine-bladed varieties like Emerald Zoysia look best at 1 to 1.5 inches. Coarser varieties like Meyer Zoysia perform well at 1.5 to 2 inches.
Zoysia in partial shade should be kept at the higher end of the range. The extra blade length captures more sunlight in lower-light conditions.
Weekly Mowing Schedule
Most Georgia Zoysia lawns need mowing once per week during the growing season. Zoysia’s slower growth rate compared to Bermuda makes maintenance easier.
However, do not let Zoysia go more than 10 days between mowings during active growth. Removing too much blade length at once shocks the plant and causes brown tips.
Dealing with Zoysia’s Tough Blades
Zoysia grass blades are more fibrous than Bermuda, which means they dull mower blades faster. If you notice ragged, torn blade tips instead of clean cuts, your mower blade needs sharpening.
Sharpen your mower blade every 8 to 10 hours of mowing time when cutting Zoysia. This is roughly twice as often as needed for Bermuda grass.
Centipede Grass Mowing Guide for Georgia Lawns
Centipede grass is known as the lazy man’s grass because it needs less maintenance than other Georgia warm-season options. This includes less frequent mowing.
The Low and Slow Approach
Centipede grass prefers to be kept at 1.5 to 2.5 inches. Unlike Bermuda, which tolerates low mowing, Centipede suffers when cut too short. Scalping Centipede can kill it outright.
The sweet spot for most Georgia Centipede lawns is 2 inches. This height keeps the grass healthy without looking shaggy.
Infrequent Mowing Schedule
Centipede grows slowly, especially compared to Bermuda. Most Georgia Centipede lawns need mowing every 10 to 14 days during summer, which is roughly half as often as Bermuda.
This slow growth is a feature, not a bug. Centipede puts less energy into top growth and more into developing a steady, sustainable lawn.
Avoid Overfertilizing
Here is something unique about Centipede: it actually performs worse with heavy fertilization. Too much nitrogen causes excessive top growth, which then requires more mowing and stresses the plant.
If your Centipede grass suddenly needs mowing twice a week, you are probably overfertilizing. Cut back on nitrogen and let the grass return to its natural slow-growth pattern.
How to Calculate Proper Mowing Height
Setting your mower to the correct height sounds simple, but most homeowners get it wrong. Mower deck settings do not directly equal cutting height.
Step by step process:
- Park your mower on a flat, hard surface like a driveway
- Measure from the ground to the bottom of the mower blade
- Adjust the deck height setting and measure again
- Repeat until the blade sits at your target cutting height
- Check all four wheels to ensure the deck is level
For example, if you want to cut Bermuda at 1.5 inches, adjust your deck until the blade measures 1.5 inches from the ground. A deck setting of “2” on your mower might actually cut at 2.5 inches depending on the model.
Check this measurement at the start of each season. Deck adjustments can shift over time with use.
What About Mulching vs. Bagging Clippings?
Georgia homeowners often ask whether they should bag grass clippings or let them mulch back into the lawn. The answer for warm-season grasses is almost always mulch.
Grass clippings from healthy lawns contain valuable nitrogen that feeds your lawn as they decompose. Bagging removes this free fertilizer and fills up landfills unnecessarily.
Mulching works best when you follow the one-third rule. Short clippings decompose quickly and disappear into the lawn within a day or two. Long clippings from infrequent mowing can smother the grass and should be bagged or raked.
Our lawn care program emphasizes proper mowing frequency specifically because it makes mulching effective and keeps nutrients cycling back into your Georgia lawn.
We recommend using a mulching blade or mower with a mulching attachment. These cut clippings into smaller pieces that break down faster.
Common Mowing Mistakes Georgia Homeowners Make
After working with thousands of Georgia lawns, we see the same mowing mistakes causing the same problems over and over.
Mistake #1: Mowing Too Short This is the most damaging mistake Georgia homeowners make. Cutting grass too short weakens roots, exposes soil to weed seeds, and makes the lawn more vulnerable to drought and heat stress. If you can see soil between grass blades, you are mowing too short.
Mistake #2: Mowing on a Fixed Schedule Mowing every Saturday regardless of growth is convenient but wrong. Mow based on grass height, not the calendar. During slow growth periods, your lawn may only need mowing every two weeks. During peak summer, it may need mowing twice weekly.
Mistake #3: Using Dull Mower Blades Dull blades tear grass instead of cutting it cleanly. Torn blade tips turn brown, making your lawn look unhealthy even when it is not. They also create entry points for disease. Sharpen blades every 20 to 25 hours of mowing.
Mistake #4: Mowing Wet Grass Wet grass clumps together, clogs your mower, and leaves uneven clumps on your lawn. It also spreads disease from plant to plant. Wait until grass is dry, typically by mid-morning after dew evaporates.
Mistake #5: Always Mowing the Same Direction Mowing the same pattern every time trains grass to lean in one direction and creates ruts from your mower wheels. Alternate your mowing direction each time to encourage upright growth and even wear.
Reel Mower vs. Rotary Mower: Which Should You Choose?
Reel mowers cut with a scissor-like action using spinning blades against a fixed bar. They provide the cleanest cut possible and work best for low-height grasses like Bermuda kept under 1.5 inches. Best for: Bermuda lawns maintained at golf-course heights, homeowners who want the ultimate manicured look, lawns under 5,000 square feet
Rotary mowers cut with a spinning horizontal blade that chops grass through impact. They handle taller grass and uneven terrain better and require less maintenance. Best for: Zoysia, Centipede, and St. Augustine lawns, Bermuda kept at 1.5 inches or higher, larger lawns and uneven terrain
Most Georgia homeowners do perfectly well with a quality rotary mower and sharp blades. Reel mowers are only necessary if you want that striped, golf-course appearance on Bermuda grass.
Your Georgia Mowing Guide at a Glance
Recommended Mowing Heights
| Grass Type | Optimal Height | Acceptable Range | Mowing Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bermuda | 1.5 inches | 1 to 2 inches | Every 4 to 7 days |
| Zoysia | 1.5 inches | 1 to 2 inches | Every 7 to 10 days |
| Centipede | 2 inches | 1.5 to 2.5 inches | Every 10 to 14 days |
| St. Augustine | 3 inches | 2.5 to 4 inches | Every 7 to 10 days |
Seasonal Mowing Adjustments
| Season | Height Adjustment | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Spring | Normal height | As needed | Begin mowing after full green-up |
| Late Spring | Normal height | Increasing | Growth accelerates with warmth |
| Summer | Raise 0.5 inch during drought | Peak frequency | Mow in morning or evening |
| Early Fall | Normal height | Decreasing | Growth slows as temps drop |
| Late Fall | Lower by 0.5 inch | Minimal | Final mow before dormancy |
| Winter | No mowing | None | Grass is dormant |
The Bottom Line
Smart mowing is one of the easiest ways to improve your Georgia lawn without spending extra money on products or services. It just requires understanding what your grass needs and being consistent.
Key principles to remember:
- Match your mowing height to your specific grass type
- Never remove more than one-third of the blade height at once
- Mow based on grass growth, not a fixed calendar schedule
- Keep mower blades sharp for clean cuts that heal quickly
- Mulch clippings back into the lawn for free fertilizer
- Raise mowing height during drought and extreme heat
Follow these guidelines and your Georgia warm-season lawn will develop thicker turf, deeper roots, and natural resistance to weeds and disease.
Let Us Handle It For You
Every Georgia lawn has its own personality based on grass type, soil conditions, sun exposure, and how the space is used. Generic mowing advice can only take you so far.
Our lawn care program combines professional-grade fertilization and weed control with guidance on proper mowing practices tailored to your specific lawn.
Our Georgia Lawn Care Program includes:
- Customized recommendations for your grass type and growing conditions
- Seasonal guidance on mowing height adjustments
- Fertilization timed to support healthy growth without excessive mowing
- Weed control that reduces competition and lets your grass thrive
Stop guessing about what your lawn needs. Stop watching your neighbors’ lawns look better than yours despite similar effort.
Contact us today for a free lawn evaluation and discover how professional lawn care combined with smart mowing can transform your Georgia yard.
