Bermuda should be mowed with a reel mower. The lower mowed grasses (bermuda and bent) are easily damaged by a power rotary mower because they are more dense. The closer mowing allows the mower to rip and damage the blades easier..

I have a bent lawn that I mow at 0.75" and wouldn't dare try that with my rotary... it would rip that grass clear out.

Only other option you have is keep it mowed at 2".... although thats not the proper height for that grass... it should actually be closer to 1".

What were you mowing with prior to the new tractor? What was the cutting height? My guess is that you were cutting it 2"+ and then tried to take it down to 1.5", and got the expected result, cutting off all the green growth and leaving the brown stems. My bermuda growth has slowed significantly since the weather started to cool off. I have gradually been raising my mowing height from about 1" during the summer to about 2" now. I found that I had to do this to avoid cutting down into the brown stems.

By the way, I mow with a JD 345 with a 54" deck. As long as the lawn is level and your mower is maintained well (as you described), you shouldn't have any problem. You may get the occasional swirl mark, but during the growing season, those are usually gone by the next day (if you are fertilizing monthly). I know that a reel mower is ideal for bermuda, but I have over 23,000 sq' of lawn and even a power reel mower isn't practical to mow 2-3 times a week, so I will stick with my tractor.

I have been mowing at 1.5" all summer. Actually, for a few weeks I went to 1" with no problems. I guess my grass has become more dense and I need to go to 2" to avoid showing the brown stems. I also have a very large yard. It is level. I am new to bermuda and new to lawn tractors though.

I find it interesting that it needs to be set higher the less it grows. I'll give it a try though. Should I ever go higher than 2"?

eyoung,

If you have been mowing at 1.5-inches and now problems are showing up, something is wrong with the mower.

Rather or not you should raise the cutting height in the fall depends on your location. If you are in the transition zone where you have freezing weather in the winter, then it is a good idea to raise the cutting height. Otherwise if you live where winter is mild and anly get an occasional morning frost and lite freezes, there is no reason to raise cutting height.

Getting back to your question I have a couple for you. Is the uderside of your deck clean? Did you by chance put the blades on upside down?

FWIW there is no problem using a rotary mower for Tifway-I (aka Tif-419) so long as your rotary type can cut down to 1-inch.

I live in the northern Texas panhandle. Near Lubbock. It does freeze here. I'm not sure what zone I am in though. The blades are installed correctly. The backyard mows relatively well, but it was seeded and not as thick. The front was Tifway sod and is quite thick. I'm going to go to 2".

OK. How do I 'fix' the scalping job I did? Can I apply some high nitrogen fertilizer now? I have several extra bags which are 38-0-0 I think. Temps right now are lows 60s highs in 80s.

Lubbock is the northern Panhandle? If I'm in Pampa, what part of the Panhandle is that???

Just kiddin with ya...

For next year you might look for a used gang of tow-behind reels.

Bermuda will grow two different ways. When you mow it higher than 3/4 inch it grows on upright stems. However, when you mow it lower it grows horizontally. Look at a golf green sometime. Of course they mow that daily to keep it nice enough for the golfers.

I meant north texas, up in the panhandle. I laugh when people say north texas as in Dallas!

What about fertilizer? Would it hurt to put some on?

I realize I won't have a golf course look to my lawn.

eyoung when was the last time you fertlized?

Bermuda needs fertilized about every 30 to 45 days during the growing season with the last application about 30 to 45 days before your first frost date.

If you have not used a complete fertilizer this year, it has NOT been fertilized in the last 30 days, and the first frost is not due for another 30 or 45 days, then use a complete fertilizer in either a 3-1-2 or 4-1-2 ratio. Don't expect much with the cooler weather approaching, as it is more for winterizing getting it ready for next Spring.