There is no question that summer is here, and this means it is grass-cutting time.

Most grasses are in full growth and require frequent as well as correct mowing if they are to remain attractive all summer.

Different grasses should be mowed at different heights for best appearance and health. Also, most grasses are mowed at different heights at different times of the year.

Hybrid Bermuda grasses and zoysia grasses should be mowed at a height of one to 1 1/2 inches. Generally, these grasses may be mowed shorter during the early part of the growing season.

As hot weather and drought-like conditions kick in, growth may slow down. So, the mower blade should be raised.

One thing to remember, mowing removes the food producing surfaces of the plant. Close or an extremely low cut can reduce this vital process too much.

A good rule of thumb is to mow frequently enough, usually once a week, so you are not removing any more than one-third of the leaf surface at any time.

Coarse-textured grasses such as fescue should not be mowed any closer than two inches. In shady areas, it will be wise to cut a bit higher.

Sometimes fescue goes into dormancy during the hottest part of the year, particularly if rainfall is limited. If this happens, growth is reduced and mowing high becomes even more important.

Michael Wheeler is county extension coordinator for the UGA Cooperative Extension office in Hall County. You can contact him at 770-535-8293, www.hallcounty.org/extension. His column appears weekly and on www.gainesvilletimes.com.