How High? Mowing Field grass

   / How High? Mowing Field grass #11  
The #1 mistake of homeowners is cutting grass too short. most grass needs cutting at 3-3.5" range meaning it would be around 4-5" tall. Not sure on growth rates i'm sure larger grass can grow faster that indicates it is healthy but slow growth rate is a sure sign of stress.

I cut my field like a golf course i have a 12' "green" walkway to my garden i cut the same as my yard about 3-3.5 inches roughly, then, the rest i just let grow to say 6" or so (about 3-4 weeks worth or growth) mainly to keep erosion down and act as a water break for my hills.

another added feature of leaving a backyard or back 40's at high level is if the land is hilly bumpy or rough it won't bottom out the mower if you have a large size finisher or bush hog.
 

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   / How High? Mowing Field grass #12  
What I've been told by farmers around here for just brush hogging to keep things down is to do it on the holidays - Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day. It made sense to me. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
   / How High? Mowing Field grass #13  
I was watching Paul James on HGTV and he said the reason to cut grass taller was to block out weeds. The height of the grass will block sunlight, or lessen the effects of it, and deter the growth of competeing plants. I guess the grass chokes off the other plants.
 
   / How High? Mowing Field grass #14  
I cut my pasture areas about 5 - 6 inches high and cut about every other week. This has allowed the grass to become more tender and "leafy" and branch out. The deer definitely love it. When is gets really hot and dries out in late July on, I may cut it once a month if that. A big issue with getting a good grass spread is to get rid of as many rocks as possible which is no small chore around my parts; they grow every year! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif The rocks absorb sunlight and cook moisture out of the soil. I also do this because I cut with a 72" mmm. The mmm and rocks do NOT mix. If you let the grass go until it is knee high, the remainder of what is not cut is very course, stubbley, and dries out quicker; does not make for very good grazing use. Most grazing animal prefer nice green, tender, leafy shoots to feed on. I am still learning my way on this subject. Have fun getting over the tractoritis. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
   / How High? Mowing Field grass #15  
With a field like that I would be bailing the hay, not just cutting for height purposes Nice good mix of grasses. Check around and see if someone doesnt want to bale it for you.
 
   / How High? Mowing Field grass #16  
Wow! Great thread!

Since I ordered a small tractor mainly for grass cutting purposes [Kubota BX2200] to accompany my B2910, I am getting interested in maybe making my short weeds look better...

This thread is just what I need to get the mind spinning...

Thanks guys!

The unerased Henro in Pgh, PA... /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
   / How High? Mowing Field grass #17  
Around here I try to cut it at 6 to 8 inches. As low as 5" if the ground is very smooth. I like the looks of having it look green after a cut. Farmers cut the grass as low as they can to get more product. But the fields look brown for a while. If your trying to recede growth on a field we cut around mid to late June. If possible in the fall. If your unsure of your field condition mow high first. That way you'll be able to possibly avoid hitting rocks etc. Fill your bucket up with stakes and mark your objects. As far as when to cut, I look at it just like a lawn mower. The less you take off the less chaffe and the fast you can go and keep a good quality of cut. I was cutting come canary rye grass that was 6' high tractor was working and quality of cut was not good unless you went slow.

Where about in Maine?
 
   / How High? Mowing Field grass #18  
Gatorboy........
Is that an Arturo Fuente Hemmingway Classic you have there? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif I know it's not a hav-a-tampa !!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
   / How High? Mowing Field grass #19  
Here is my problem. I have 2 acres that was hay fields. I have been mowing it for about two seasons now and finally getting the field grass under control so that the St. Augustine(SP?) can take off. I have about 2/3 of the lot St Augustine now. I have to cut mine once a week and I cut it about 2-3" tall. If I don't do this the field grass will go to seed before I can cut it again...the next weekend. Around here this stuff grows way to fast! /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

So far my plan has worked well. keeping the field grass short has alowed the sun to get to the better grass and spread pretty fast. I am hoping that by this time next year most of the field grass will be gone.

I don't know if this is the best way to do it but seems to be working.
 
   / How High? Mowing Field grass #20  
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The woods Brush Bull 48 (what I've got on order) specs say it cuts from 1 - 9". Don't know why you'd cut at 1"? /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif )</font>

Haz,

Why would there be an upper limit like 9" on the cut height? Can't you just raise the mower higher on the 3pt hitch? I've used my finish mower to cut really tall stuff to about 2 feet high, so I can then walk it and look for mower-killers before I cut it lower on the next pass.

Bob
 

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