I mow at the same height all year. (4.25") I found that if you mow forward then backward (like vacuuming) it really helps to shred the leaves up.

Thanks, I'll have to try that. I suppose I could go a little lower for the winter, but honestly I don't really want to. I haven't measured it, but at the second to highest height I'm at maybe 3.3". I think my top height is 3.8".

fourstringdrums,

you did not mention where you live? Which state so we know if there will be snow involved.

I do lower my mower setting when I am trying to mulch fall leaves. When the mower is set high, too many leaves are left un-mulched or are blown out the sides of the deck.

Here in central Iowa, I mow all season at 3.25 inches. When I start mulching leaves I drop down to 3 inches. I also make sure I am using a very sharp mower blade when mulching leaves.

This fall I'm using my leaf blower to move my considerable leaf fall into certain areas of my lawn that need some extra OM. I windrow the tree litter into the target area then mulch them with my mower until they disappear.

+1 everybody else. I use the top deck of my mower as well. It may take several passes, but it works.

Sharpen the blade. Take the blade up to the hardware store or a sharpening shop if you aren't used to sharpening the blade. They'll have it done in a day.

With a sharp blade, and a 3" height, that lawn should absorb, and process, all the leaves you can throw at it. Note: there will be a few (a dozen, on a city lot; a few hundred, on an acre) that don't get snipped into little pieces. Ignore them, they'll blow away. But the vast majority will be clipped, snipped, and disappear. And your lawn will love it.

One word of caution on sharpening the blade.

When you put it back on, make sure you're putting it on the right way. And don't count on it being on correctly when you take it off (especially if you're currently seeing lots of torn leaves when you mow). If the blade goes on upside down, you'll be cutting with the back side of the blade, so no matter how sharp it is, you'll tear the grass instead of cutting it.

I need to go lower than 3" to mulch leaves. I don't know how low I actually go, because I haven't measured it, but its probably around 2" or so.

Oh yes I forgot to mention, I'm in Massachusetts.

I have a rider so sharpening the blade isn't a personal option for me as I can't get to it. I was going to call the store I bought it from though and have them clean under the deck anyway. I haven't been able to do it as a result.

fourstringdrums,

I suppose I could go a little lower for the winter, but honestly I don't really want to.

Considering that you live in Massachusetts snow is a given, so you can mow lower for the winter, gradually down to maybe 2-1/2". (It is a good idea to go a little lower for the winter when snow is an issue). At this height a rider should mulch the leaves better than where you are now.

I have a rider so sharpening the blade isn't a personal option for me as I can't get to it. I was going to call the store I bought it from though and have them clean under the deck anyway. I haven't been able to do it as a result.

You definitely want to get your blade sharpened! At least once per year. I do understand that you cannot do it yourself, so yes, check with the place you bought from, or a mower shop.

I haven't measured it, but at the second to highest height I'm at maybe 3.3". I think my top height is 3.8".

I would recommend that when you get a chance you should measure the height of each setting on you mower and write them down.

(It is a good idea to go a little lower for the winter when snow is an issue).

eastpenna, when would you consider snow to be an "issue"?

I have read that you should lower your cutting height for the winter if you have a history of snow mold, otherwise stay at the same height.

darius,

I have read that you should lower your cutting height for the winter if you have a history of snow mold, otherwise stay at the same height.

Snow mold is not the only issue associated with leaving your lawn high through the winter. For example the grass can also get matted down and invite some unwanted critters. Here is a link for a pretty good website with video's. Check out the one titled Getting Started in Early Spring, it talks about the winter height.

How-To Video's

I actually bought the mower at the beginning of the spring, so unless the blade was dull from the factory or the store didn't sharpen it before I got it, I should be all set. Next year when they do a tune up I plan on getting it sharpened anyway.

I forgot to mention, I don't know if I get snow mold or not. Last year I was mowing shorter and I didn't have any. This is my first year mowing higher. My neighbor mows around the same height that I'm at now, maybe one height lower and he doesn't seem to get any.

"I actually bought the mower at the beginning of the spring, so unless the blade was dull from the factory or the store didn't sharpen it before I got it, I should be all set."

I've read that blades should be sharpened every 1-2 months. I try to sharpen mine once or twice a season and I have a fairly small lawn.