Proper lawn mowing heights are important for all lawn types, and especially for Buffalo grasses such as Palmetto, Sapphire & Prestige.
The differences in mowing heights for Buffalo grasses can mean big differences in lawn health, thatch control and water usage.
A Buffalo lawn that is regularly cut too short will result in greater water evaporation from the soil, a stressed lawn and increased water usage.
A short Buffalo lawn can also mean ongoing poor health due to a lack of photosynthesis.
If Buffalo grass is maintained too high, then growth rates and thatch can increase more rapidly.
At all times, you are trying to find just the right balance for our own individual Buffalo lawn.
Read on to find out the factors you should consider when working out the perfect mowing height for your buffalo lawn.
Factors to Consider to Choose the Perfect Mowing Height
Buffalo Mowing Heights and Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis is the process which plants and lawns use to power their growth and food conversion from nutrients into carbohydrate foods.
The longer the leaf of a lawn or the higher it is mowed will directly impact on how fast or slow it grows.
A longer Buffalo leaf means a faster growing and repairing lawn, with shorter leaf leading to a slower growing and repairing lawn.
Many problems which occur in Soft Leaf Buffalo lawns are often due to the lawn being mowed too low.
Buffalo lawns like Palmetto like to have a longer leaf, and prefer being mowed at a greater than average height when compared to other warm-season grass types.
Twenty-five to 50 millimetres is an optimum mowing height for Buffalo grass, mowing lower than this may result in an ongoing unhealthy lawn.
Shade and Buffalo Mowing Heights
Your Buffalo lawn’s shade levels are subject to another major factor in lawn mowing heights.
If you chose a Buffalo lawn for it’s shade tolerance and the lawn is planted in an area of high shade, then the mowing height will need to be raised, especially in the shaded part of the yard.
This allows the longer leaf blade to trap more sunlight in order to conduct enough photosynthesis for its survival.
For more information read our article Buffalo Lawn Mowing Heights in the Shade
Seasonal Mowing Heights
Winter: In order to maintain a healthier Buffalo grass lawn in winter, it will be necessary to raise mowing heights prior to and during the winter season. This allows greater photosynthesis and food supply under the low light conditions of winter.
Therefore, when mowing your Buffalo lawn in winter cut to between 25mm and 50mm every 3 – 6 weeks.
Summer: When mowing your Buffalo lawn in summer cut to between 25mm and 50mm every 7-10 days.
For more fast facts and Q&As on our Buffalo varieties –
Or check out our handy Quick Lawn Selection Guide.
.
Shade
Maint.
Drought
Wear
$12–$18/m² 
