Mow Height Increased on Your Turf? Add Mo’ Height to Your Sprinkler

Call it a fad. Call it a trend. Call it a phenomenon.

Call it what you will, but more and more people are increasing the mow heights on their turf. Putting-green-short lawns are getting fewer and further between as both residential and commercial properties sport a look that consists of a longer blade of grass.

To facilitate efficient watering of this higher cut of turf, installers and designers are turning to sprinklers that boast a taller pop-up height. The typical 4-inch pop-up can’t clear the taller turf effectively, so 6-inch pop-ups, with their extra bit of height, are becoming the product of choice to ensure that irrigation coverage

Hunter has a full-line of sprinkler products with this taller, 6-inch height to meet your specific needs. Six-inch spray heads are available for both the Pro-Spray® and Institutional Spray, while rotors in this height are offered for the PGJ and I-20 Ultra.

Why the Increase in Mow Height?

From an aesthetic standpoint, many people prefer the appearance that a higher cut of turf offers…not to mention the fact that the grass doesn’t need to be trimmed often to maintain a fresh-cut look.

“Longer times between mowings means less green waste,” said Jeff Crawford, an irrigation consultant from Gainsville, Florida. “With traditional 4-inch sprays, just a few ragged blades of grass is all it takes to break up a spray pattern. The extra height makes all the difference in the world.

“If we weren’t using 6-inch Pro-Sprays and Institutional Sprays, the alternative would include having to mow the grass much more frequently in order to keep the turf below the spray pattern. And more mowings means more green waste.”

But there are scientific benefits to a higher cut, as well. Removing more than one-third of the leaf tissue can severely stunt the regrowth of the grass because the youngest, most photosynthetically active tissue is removed, along with a significant portion of carbohydrates, the turf’s energy source.

(People used to think that stunting regrowth was a good idea, because the grass didn’t grow back as fast. However, this actually results in significantly more weeds and a weaker turf that is less able to resist disease and insect attack.)

Even if you don’t prefer a higher cut throughout the year, during the warmer months of summer, at least, mowing heights should be raised to minimize the impact of heat stress on the turf. The increased leaf surface area buffers the soil from temperature extremes and allows the turf to cool itself better.

Great for Fast Growing Turf Varieties

Of course, in many cases, it isn’t that the desired mow height is higher. In can also be that the type of turf simply doesn’t allow for a shorter cut. That’s why landscape architect John Ewseychik of Orlando is a big proponent of Hunter 6" heads, both the sprays and the rotors.

“In our area, the use of Flortam turf (a variety of Saint Augustine) is extensive,” said Ewseychik. “The grass grows high and the grass grows fast. The standard 4" head is rendered inadequate. We’ve gone to using 6" heads—primarily Institutional Sprays and I-20s—exclusively for that reason.”

So, whether your turf is sporting a higher cut or it’s simply a faster growing variety, the best way to achieve irrigation efficiency is with a sprinkler designed specifically for taller grass: 6" sprays and rotors from Hunter. Stop by your authorized Hunter distributor today and see which products will work best for your particular needs.