Florida Lawn Mowing Guide
Florida lawns barely slow down — in Central and South Florida you mow essentially year-round, and the dominant grass, St. Augustine, wants one of the highest cuts of any common turf. Scalp it and you trade a green lawn for weeds and chinch bugs.
What grass do you have?
- St. Augustine — the most common Florida lawn grass; broad blades, loves heat, needs a high cut.
- Bahia — tough, deep-rooted, low-input; the choice for unirrigated yards. Tolerates sandy soil and drought.
- Centipede — slow-growing “lazy man’s grass” for acidic, sandy soils; resents low mowing and heavy feeding.
Mowing heights for Florida grasses
| Grass | Mowing height | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| St. Augustine | 3.5–4 in | Dwarf cultivars (e.g. Seville) tolerate ~2.5 in; standard runs high |
| Bahia | 3–4 in | Tall seed stalks grow fast in summer — expect frequent cuts |
| Centipede | 1.5–2 in | Don’t scalp and don’t over-fertilize, or it declines |
Florida mowing calendar
| Month | Mowing & lawn care |
|---|---|
| Jan | North FL slows; Central/South keep mowing every 1–2 weeks. |
| Feb | Light growth statewide; maintain height. |
| Mar | Growth picks up as temps rise; back to weekly mowing in the south. |
| Apr | Active growth; mow weekly. Watch for chinch bugs as it warms. |
| May | Pre-rainy-season growth; weekly cuts. |
| Jun | Summer rains drive fast growth — mow every 5–7 days. |
| Jul | Peak growth and rain; frequent mowing, sharp blade for wet grass. |
| Aug | Same — stay on top of it; bag clippings if growth outpaces mulching. |
| Sep | Still active; watch for fungal disease in humidity. |
| Oct | Growth eases with drier air; weekly mowing. |
| Nov | Slows in the north; South FL continues. |
| Dec | Minimal growth north; light mowing south. No true dormancy. |
Mowers & equipment
St. Augustine’s thick runners reward a sharp blade and a mower that won’t bog down. See our mowing height guide and best lawn mowers.
Get the full Florida plan
📖 Lush Lawns Florida — region-specific mowing heights, seasonal timing, and lawn care for Florida (St. Augustine, Bahia, and Centipede).