Why it makes sense to cut the grass short at the end of the season

Lawn-care pros cringe at how homeowners often cut their grass — way too short.

Scalping a lawn is bad news because it repeatedly reduces the vegetation that’s trying to build energy to fuel the roots and coerce them to grow deeper, not to mention allowing the soil underneath to heat and dry faster in summer.

Short grass also benefits the sprouting of weeds, which appreciate the increased sunlight and elbow room.

Pros recommend maintaining in-season grass height at about three to four inches.

There’s one time of the year, though, when the experts say it makes sense to go low instead of cut high, the last cut or two of the year.

The overriding reason is that shorter grass during the dormant season (winter) makes the lawn less prone to early-season lawn disease.

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