Annoyingly long grass can be quite the nuisance to homeowners.  Unsurprisingly, the taller your grass gets, the harder is it to mow!

Navigating the challenge of very long grass can indeed seem daunting, but by following our steps below, you'll master the art of taming your unruly yard in no time. From handling really tall grass to managing the more delicate wet grass, we've got you covered.

How to Cut Tall Grass: Step-by-Step Guide

Mowing or hand cutting (with sickle or weedeater) long grass takes more than one pass. Attempting to cut all the grass in a single pass actually takes longer. Never try to mow more than one-third of your long grass in a single session. The roots will be harmed, and weed growth will be promoted.

This mission won't be completed in a single day, just as Rome wasn't created in a day. So bear that in mind while cutting your overgrown grass; save the remainder for later.

You'll need the following equipment to cut tall grass:

  • Lawnmower
  • A string or blade trimmer/weed eater
  • A sickle or hand shear
  • Rake or leaf blower

Step 1: Trim the Top Layer of Grass Using Hand Tool

Trim the tall grass with a trimmer, weed eater or other hand tool (see below). Depending on the height of the grass, up to one-third of the grass should be cut down at a time.

Step 2: Clear Cuttings/Trimmings

Clear and bag the trimmings with a rake, by hand or with a leaf blower.

Step 3: Take Second Pass

Now, a second trim is needed to get the grass height down to about 6-12 inches. You can use your trimmer, weed eater, sickle or scythe once more for this step. This time, there should be less trimmings, but if necessary, use a rake to collect the grass cuttings.

Step 4: Use Mower for Final Pass

Now that the length of the grass is 1 ft high or less, you can proceed to using a lawn mower.

Three Tools For Hand-Cutting Long Grass

Scythes, garden sickles or shears are the most typical hand tools. You can use simple grass-cutting equipment and a string trimmer to remove the top layer of your overgrown grass manually.

Use a Scythe to Cut Long Grass

Hold the scythe by its horizontal handle while standing in a comfortable stance. Start by swinging the blade and working through the grass using the muscles in your hips and thighs.

Holding the scythe's cutting edge parallel to the ground will provide the most outstanding results. Use this instrument to cut grass up to two feet tall. It is advisable to use shears or a sickle instead unless you have expertise with this particular instrument.

Use A Sickle to Cut Tall Grass

A sickle is a single, one-handed instrument with a short handle. The sickle's blade is sharpest in its inner curve. A sickle is used to cut sections of grass and is lighter and easier to store than a trimmer. You can effortlessly cut down the overgrown grass with each cut, even if it is a 5 feet high.

Mowing Tall Grass

Mowing a property that has already been trimmed will be much simpler but will take a lot of work. You must change the height setting to 5 to 6 inches, depending on the kind of mower you have.

One word of advice: avoid mowing your lawn while the grass is damp. This will make cutting much more difficult and prevent your mower from functioning properly. Wait a few days until the grass is entirely dry, if it's wet, before beginning to mow.

Must Have Tools To Cut Tall Grass

Four instruments stand out while mowing thick grass. If you can access power equipment, cut the vegetation to 4-6 inches using a string trimmer or weed eater. If cutting grass by hand, clip it with a sickle or grass scythe until it is about 3 to 4 inches long and mobile.

Lawnmower

Choose a gas-powered mower for expansive lawns. Small yards are the greatest candidates for electric lawnmowers, within the limitations of the wire length.

Although it involves exertion, a push reel mower is perfect for thick grass. Another option is the self-propelled mower powered by batteries, with a cutting diameter of at least 20 inches and multiple height settings.

Grass Trimmer Or Weed Eater

Weed eaters come in gas, electric, and cordless varieties. This equipment is ideal for removing areas of long, overgrown weeds or brush and makes cutting long grass simpler than using a mower.

You can manage your lawn and keep it from becoming a mini-jungle if you use a trimmer.

Using a battery-powered grass trimmer, you may roam about your lawn and yard with total freedom. The wire's length and the cord's potential to catch on objects or damage flowerbeds restrict your choices when using corded devices.

Check out the article below, 8 Best Cordless Battery-Operated Weed Eaters, for comprehensive information on how to pick the best trimmer for your garden. It includes a thorough purchasing guide and an in-depth assessment of the available top premium and entry-level weed eaters.

Last Words on Cutting Overgrown Grass

Remember that the mower deck needs to be adjusted to the appropriate height to ensure you're not harming the grass or the machine. Following this, allow the grass to recover by applying high-quality grass seed to encourage growth and further bolster the health of your lawn. These techniques not only ensure a well-manicured lawn but also help prolong the life of your lawn mowers.

By leveraging the right tools and understanding the nuances of lawn maintenance, you can transform an overwhelming task into a simple and manageable routine. Now that you're armed with the knowledge on how to cut extremely long grass, your outdoor space is primed to evolve from a wild jungle to a well-groomed oasis. Stay patient, keep your tools sharp, and most importantly, allow your grass time to recover. Your lush, green lawn will be the envy of the neighborhood in no time.

To avoid harming your lawn and delaying the recovery of an overgrown lawn, you must understand how to trim exceptionally long grass using the proper equipment.

You won't need to hire a professional once you master utilizing a weed eater or scythe to do the chore!