Problem: Mowing is one of the most important cultural practices performed in lawn maintenance.  Regardless of whether the lawn is fertilized, irrigated or receives applications of control products, proper mowing practices are essential if a high quality turf is to develop.  Properly mowed lawns will have fewer weed populations, better color, better moisture stress tolerance and generally better quality than lawns not properly mowed.

Solution:
Mowing height – mowing height is probably the most important parameter of mowing.  Turf grasses, like other plants, must manufacture sugars through photosynthesis in the leaves if they are collectively to develop into a high quality lawn.  Turf grasses mowed at low heights have limited leaf area to sustain photosynthesis rates necessary to maintain good plant vigor.  In addition to leaf area, a direct relationship exists between the height of the turf grass and the depth and total mass of the root system.
In general, a lawn mowed too short will have a shallow root system with little total root mass.  The impact of a shallow, weak root system is most apparent during summer stress periods.  When soil moisture becomes limiting, the closely mowed lawns usually exhibit stress first and the loss of turf grass plants is more likely.  Higher mowing heights during the summer period will keep soil temperatures cooler, preserve soil moisture and help maintain turf grass quality. 
The recommended mowing height of cool season turf grasses in our area is 2.5 to 3 inches. 
It is recommended to lower your mower to 2-2.5 inches during the last 1 or 2 cuts in the fall to help prevent winter diseases.

Frequency – Grass should be mowed frequently enough so no more that 1/3 of the grass blade is removed.  If the desired cutting 2.5 to 3 inches, the grass should be cut before it is 4 inches high.

More tips:
•    Keep mower blades sharp to prevent turf damage
•    Leave clippings to recycle plant nutrients
•    Alternate mowing direction
•    Water the day before mowing during the summer months