Most lawns need cutting about once a week during peak growing season and every 2 to 3 weeks when growth slows in late fall and winter. Fast growers like Bermuda can need mowing every 5 days in summer. The real rule is height: mow whenever the grass grows about one third taller than its target height.
| Grass type | Ideal mowing height | Peak season | Slow season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bermuda | 1 to 2 inches | Every 5 to 7 days | Every 2 to 4 weeks or dormant |
| St. Augustine | 3 to 4 inches | Every 7 days | Every 2 to 3 weeks |
| Zoysia | 1.5 to 2.5 inches | Every 7 to 10 days | Every 3 to 4 weeks or dormant |
| Centipede | 1.5 to 2 inches | Every 10 to 14 days | Rarely, mostly dormant |
| Tall fescue | 3 to 4 inches | Every 5 to 7 days in spring and fall | Every 10 to 14 days in summer heat |
| Kentucky bluegrass | 2.5 to 3.5 inches | Every 5 to 7 days | Every 2 weeks |
What is the one third rule for mowing?
The one third rule says never remove more than one third of the grass blade in a single mowing. If your St. Augustine lawn should sit at 3 inches, mow when it reaches about 4 to 4.5 inches. If your Bermuda lives at 1.5 inches, mow when it hits about 2 to 2.25 inches. Following this rule, rather than a fixed day on the calendar, is what decides how often you actually mow.
Cutting off more than a third at once is called scalping. It shocks the plant, exposes the stems and soil to sun, invites weeds and leaves the lawn brown for a week or more. It also forces the grass to spend energy regrowing leaves instead of roots, so the lawn becomes less drought tolerant over time.
How often should you mow in each season?
Growth follows temperature, rain and daylight, so your schedule should shift through the year. The calendar below fits warm season lawns across Texas, Louisiana and Florida, which make up most yards in Dallas, Houston, New Orleans, Tampa and Miami.
| Season | Warm season lawns | Cool season lawns |
|---|---|---|
| Early spring (March to April) | Every 10 to 14 days as the lawn greens up | Every 5 to 7 days, fast growth |
| Late spring (May to June) | Every 5 to 7 days | Every 7 days |
| Summer (July to August) | Every 5 to 7 days, more with rain | Every 10 to 14 days, raise height |
| Fall (September to November) | Every 7 to 14 days, slowing | Every 5 to 7 days, second growth spurt |
| Winter (December to February) | Every 3 to 4 weeks or not at all | Every 2 to 4 weeks if growing |
Gulf Coast lawns grow almost year round
In New Orleans, Houston, Tampa and Miami, mild winters mean St. Augustine and Bermuda rarely go fully dormant. Miami lawns in particular can need mowing every 2 weeks even in January. Heavy summer rain and humidity can also push St. Augustine to need cutting every 5 or 6 days in July and August.
North Texas lawns have a real dormant season
Around Dallas, Bermuda usually turns tan and stops growing after the first hard freeze in late fall and stays dormant until about March. That means most Dallas homeowners mow weekly from May through September, every 10 to 14 days in spring and fall, and only once or twice over the winter to tidy leaves and weeds. Summer heat waves and water restrictions can also slow growth, so mow less often during drought rather than cutting a stressed lawn.
What else changes how often you need to mow?
- Fertilizer: a nitrogen feeding can double growth for a few weeks. Expect to mow more often right after you fertilize.
- Rain and irrigation: well watered lawns grow faster. A rainy week can turn a 7 day schedule into a 5 day one.
- Shade: shady areas grow more slowly and should be mowed slightly higher and less often.
- Drought and heat: stressed grass slows down. Raise the deck and mow less often to protect it.
- Your preferred look: a lower, golf course style Bermuda lawn needs more frequent cuts than one kept at the top of its range.
What happens if you mow too often or not often enough?
Mowing too often at too low a height weakens roots and thins the turf, which makes room for crabgrass and other weeds. Mowing too rarely leads to scalping when you finally catch up, heavy clumps of clippings and a ragged, uneven look. Tall, thick grass also gives mosquitoes and other pests more places to hide, something worth considering in humid cities. Our guide to mosquito control in your yard covers that side.
Signs your schedule needs adjusting
- Brown or yellow tips after each mow: you are cutting too much at once or your blade is dull.
- Piles of clippings left behind: the grass got too tall between cuts.
- Bare or thin spots spreading: you may be mowing too low.
- Seed heads appearing on Bermuda or St. Augustine: mowing is too infrequent for the season.
Tips for a healthier mowing routine
- Sharpen the mower blade every 20 to 25 hours of use, or about twice a season.
- Mow when the grass is dry, typically mid to late morning. See our guide to the best time to cut grass for timing details.
- Change your mowing direction each time to keep blades upright and avoid ruts.
- Leave clippings on the lawn when they are short and dry. They return nitrogen to the soil.
- Raise the deck in the hottest part of summer to shade the soil and hold moisture.
Fall is also the right time to look at the rest of the yard, from gutters to irrigation. Our fall home maintenance checklist is a good place to start.
How much does a regular mowing schedule cost?
Most homeowners pay typically $35 to $75 per visit for a standard lawn on a weekly or every other week schedule, with larger lots, steep slopes or overgrown grass costing more. Weekly service in peak season usually runs $140 to $300 a month. For a full breakdown by lawn size and frequency, see our lawn mowing cost guide.
See your upfront price and book your lawn care on House Fly. Book lawn care on a schedule that fits your grass, and House Fly handles the rest with payment held until the job is done.
Frequently asked questions
Is it OK to mow grass every week?
Yes. Weekly mowing is the right schedule for most lawns during peak growing season, from late spring through summer. In spring, fall and winter, growth slows, so every 10 to 14 days or less is often enough. Let the one third rule guide you: mow when the grass is about one third taller than its target height.
Can I mow every two weeks instead of weekly?
You can in slow seasons or with slow growers like Zoysia and centipede. In peak summer, most Bermuda and St. Augustine lawns grow too fast for a two week schedule, so you end up cutting off more than one third at once. That scalps the lawn, leaves clumps and invites weeds, so weekly is safer in summer.
How short should I cut my grass?
It depends on the grass type. Bermuda looks best at 1 to 2 inches, Zoysia at 1.5 to 2.5 inches, and St. Augustine and tall fescue at 3 to 4 inches. Mowing below the recommended range weakens roots and lets weeds in. In the hottest weeks of summer, set the deck at the top of the range.
When should I stop mowing for the winter?
Stop regular mowing when the grass stops growing, which in North Texas usually follows the first hard freeze in November or December. Along the Gulf Coast and in South Florida, lawns may keep growing slowly all winter, so a cut every 3 to 4 weeks keeps them tidy. Keep leaves raked so they do not smother dormant grass.
Should I mow more often after fertilizing?
Usually yes. A nitrogen fertilizer can speed growth noticeably for two to four weeks, so a lawn on a 7 day schedule may need cutting every 5 days for a while. Wait a day or two after applying granular fertilizer and watering it in, then return to the one third rule to decide when to mow next.
