Cutting your grass too short leaves the grass hungry. Most lawn grasses are going to be grown laterally if left uncut, less vertically. Grass height determines mowing time. Grass needs full sun to grow best. Maintaining this length throughout the year will keep your lawn healthy during and after winter. For the first mow, you can let the lawn grow to the high end of the recommended range or even a little higher before cutting to give it a little more time to become established, but be sure to still only cut off one-third of the blade. When this happens, the grass becomes matted down from the snow. That is why you need to let the grass grow at an ideal height before cutting so that its roots will gain age and strength. The right time to mow new sod is at least two weeks after installation. If the grass is still very low on the ground, the mower will pull the seedlings out of the ground instead of cutting … Let your grass grow too long between cuttings, and you run the risk of creating an ideal habitat for insects like mosquitoes and critters like voles, mice and snakes. Part of my concern is that it looks unkempt. If you let your grass grow excessively long, you may hear about it from your neighbors eventually. I typically cut my grass at 4 inches; should I cut it at, say, 2.75 or 3 inches for the last cut? Leave the straw on top of the new grass seeds until after the lawn has been mowed the first time. When it is time to cut the grass, set the mowing height higher than you usually would to leave enough leaf surface for adequate photosynthesis. You don't want your grass any higher than 3 inches after the last cut before winter because such grass has the tendency to compress or mat’ under snowfall. The ideal length to cut your grass before winter is between 2.5 – 3 inches long. Such matted grass will invite diseases such as the terrible snow mold. What Happens if You Let Your Grass Grow Too Long?. Grass grows best in full sunlight. When the mower sits idle for extended periods, the health and appearance of the lawn suffers. At three inches, the grass will still be able to shade the soil from the hot summer sun just before the first freeze. Cut only one third of the grass height away at a time. Long grass also holds rain and dew for longer periods. Mow again a few days later to cut to the recommended height. Allow the grass to dry for 48 hours before mowing it for the first time. How short to cut grass before winter? Long grass is more resistant to hot sun because it shields the soil and the roots of the grass. When planting a new lawn, a straw mulch helps keep the grass seeds and soil moist until germination. The reason I ask is that the grass often continues to grow after the last cut, and may reach 5 to 7 inches in height before it stops. As soon as the grass seeds sprout, the tiny leaves begin using that sunlight to make energy that grows deep roots and lush leaves. Grass that's too long is also hard to mow, and the extra-long clippings create more work, since they usually need to be raked or bagged. That all depends on the species of grass you’re referring to. This waiting time is to allow the roots to grow and become strong in the ground. Maintain a moist grass structure as it is necessary for grass establishment. Whether the appearance of long grass is a benefit or a drawback is largely a matter of taste. When using a mower to cut grass, it will produce a lot of compaction. 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