Should I mow high or low when mulching leaves?

A forum to learn and discuss the importance of lawn care basics
Post Reply
southern-ct-4
Posts: 645
Joined: May 7th, 2018, 3:31 pm
Location: Southern CT (6b)
Grass Type: PR/FF/KBG
Lawn Size: 10000-20000
Level: Some Experience

Should I mow high or low when mulching leaves?

Post by southern-ct-4 » October 15th, 2020, 5:10 pm

I have 2 areas on my lawn right now with pretty heavy leaves. I blow them around a little bit to try and even though out across the yard, but for the most part they are concentrated in these 2 areas.

In any case, I'm starting to mow lower on the yard in general (3" or a notch lower), but should I mow higher in the leaf areas? Or just keep mowing low?

I've tested both and can't really tell if there's a difference (which basically answers my own question), but just wondering if there's a general thought/logic in this.

I have a mulch kit on my JD X330 48" which does an ok but not great job as the leaves are coming down faster than I can keep up.

I googled it and found mixed answers.

Thank you.

User avatar
MorpheusPA
Posts: 18129
Joined: March 5th, 2009, 7:32 pm
Location: Zone 6 (Eastern PA)
Grass Type: Elite KBG
Lawn Size: 10000-20000
Level: Advanced

Re: Should I mow high or low when mulching leaves?

Post by MorpheusPA » October 15th, 2020, 5:29 pm

Either, as your observation confirms, is fine. I've done both and never noticed a difference, so I can't personally recommend any difference in either mowing strategy.

I leave my deck high even in fall and winter (3.75"), and the leaves mulch just fine. Back when I cut low, the leaves mulched just fine.

So QED on that one.

southern-ct-4
Posts: 645
Joined: May 7th, 2018, 3:31 pm
Location: Southern CT (6b)
Grass Type: PR/FF/KBG
Lawn Size: 10000-20000
Level: Some Experience

Re: Should I mow high or low when mulching leaves?

Post by southern-ct-4 » October 15th, 2020, 5:32 pm

Understood, thanks.

User avatar
stack316
Posts: 326
Joined: July 15th, 2010, 7:11 am
Location: MA
Grass Type: Side: 2014 Bewitched Reno Front: 2013 Faith, Cochise IV, Falcon IV, LS 1200 reno Back 1st half Mutt, Back 2nd Half 3rd Millenium & Rhambler reno
Lawn Size: Not Specified
Level: Not Specified

Re: Should I mow high or low when mulching leaves?

Post by stack316 » October 16th, 2020, 5:36 pm

I unfortunately have to go over my yard twice...so I mow twice so start high and then lower it..as my mower won’t finely mulch with 1 pass.

User avatar
andy10917
Posts: 29739
Joined: February 23rd, 2009, 10:48 pm
Location: NY (Lower Hudson Valley)
Grass Type: Emblem KBG (Front); Blueberry KBG Monostand (Back)
Lawn Size: 1 acre-2 acre
Level: Advanced

Re: Should I mow high or low when mulching leaves?

Post by andy10917 » October 16th, 2020, 5:43 pm

The leaves don't seem to care.


User avatar
MorpheusPA
Posts: 18129
Joined: March 5th, 2009, 7:32 pm
Location: Zone 6 (Eastern PA)
Grass Type: Elite KBG
Lawn Size: 10000-20000
Level: Advanced

Re: Should I mow high or low when mulching leaves?

Post by MorpheusPA » October 16th, 2020, 9:27 pm

Where I have to go twice--not much or often due to the winds here, but every now and again I get a clear leaf drop on a still day and run out to mow them before they disappear--I do both at the same height.

It seems to work, but I guess it might work better high and low? I might give that a shot the next time.

User avatar
Dchall_San_Antonio
Posts: 3339
Joined: December 17th, 2008, 1:53 am
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Grass Type: St Augustine
Lawn Size: 5000-10000
Level: Advanced

Re: Should I mow high or low when mulching leaves?

Post by Dchall_San_Antonio » October 22nd, 2020, 1:54 pm

Start mowing high and if that doesn't work, mow lower. My experience with Live Oak leaves is that you have to mow at near the mower's lowest setting to mulch them. Live Oak leaves are about 3/4 inch long, so at the high setting, there's nothing to grab onto.

lVlrBoJang1es
Posts: 122
Joined: March 29th, 2017, 11:59 am
Location: Western Michigan
Grass Type: KBG
Lawn Size: 10000-20000
Level: Some Experience

Re: Should I mow high or low when mulching leaves?

Post by lVlrBoJang1es » November 3rd, 2020, 2:04 pm

I find that the lower my deck height is, the finer the mulch and less clumping i get.

Could just be my mower though...

User avatar
ken-n-nancy
Posts: 2571
Joined: July 17th, 2014, 3:58 pm
Location: Bedford, NH
Grass Type: Front: KBG (Bewitched+Prosperity); Side: Bewitched KBG; Back: Fine Fescue Blend + Prosperity
Lawn Size: 10000-20000
Level: Experienced

Re: Should I mow high or low when mulching leaves?

Post by ken-n-nancy » November 3rd, 2020, 4:04 pm

I just mow at whatever height is appropriate for the grass, and the leaves get mulched up just fine from that height...

User avatar
Dchall_San_Antonio
Posts: 3339
Joined: December 17th, 2008, 1:53 am
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Grass Type: St Augustine
Lawn Size: 5000-10000
Level: Advanced

Re: Should I mow high or low when mulching leaves?

Post by Dchall_San_Antonio » January 8th, 2021, 3:59 pm

ken-n-nancy, if the leaves are as big as your hand, then yes. When the leaves are the size of your fingernail, that doesn't work. Live oak leaves are not fragile enough to be chopped unless they are held down/captured between something solid and the moving blade. Tall grass is not solid enough to hold them.

Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 4 guests