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Can you cut zoysia grass with a reel mower?

Author

Mia Kelly

Published Jan 07, 2026

Although zoysia grass can be trimmed with either type of mower, reel mowers are recommended. Their clean cuts prevent the tops of the grass from turning brown or yellow.

What is the best way to cut Zoysia grass?

For most zoysiagrass cultivars, turfgrass growers recommend a mowing height of 1½ inches. In partial shade, mow zoysiagrass at 2 to 2½ inches. Mowing heights below 1 inch will require a reel type mower to achieve satisfactory results, and with zoysiagrass, a reel type mower will give better results at any height.

What grass is best for a reel mower?

Reel Lawn Mower Review

Reel lawn mowers are by far the number one choice for Bermuda grass lawns, as well as other shorter lawns.

Can you use a reel mower on any type of grass?

Reel mowers don't work as well on tall grass or grass sprinkled with twigs and leaves, and you may be able to get by for years without sharpening the blades on a regular mower, but it's critical that you keep the blades of a reel mower razor-sharp.

Is a reel mower better for grass?

Reel mowers are preferred for lower mowing heights (under an inch) whereas rotary mowers perform better at higher mowing heights. Reel mowers are more effective when the grass is not too long, wet, or undulating. Reel mowers also have a hard time chopping up twigs and going over rocks.

42 related questions found

Can a reel mower cut long grass?

Can a reel mower handle cutting tall grass? The short answer is, yes a reel mower can handle long grass.

How hard is it to push a reel mower?

Reel mowers aren't hard to push because the axles push the blades and wheels, helping you mow the lawn with ease. All you have to do is apply light pressure while pushing the reel mower around your yard to cut the grass with its vertical blades. Gas-powered reel mowers require less force to mow.

How often should I mow with a reel mower?

At most, mow your lawn every 5-7 days during peak growing seasons. Cool season grasses such as bentgrass and ryegrass actively grow in the spring and fall.

What are the benefits of a reel mower?

Five Reasons to Choose a Reel Mower

  • Precision Cuts. A cylinder mower cuts using a series of sharp spiral rotating blades. ...
  • Prevents Scalping. The front and rear rollers of a reel mower run close to the point at which the grass is cut. ...
  • Minimal Compaction. ...
  • Quality Stripes. ...
  • Versatility.

Can you cut weeds with a reel mower?

As with dandelions, reel mowers don't care for cutting weeds. Their scissor-like action is designed for neatly clipping low stems of grass, not tall and tough stems and leaves. However, if you set your blade to its highest level, it will have a good go at mowing your weeds.

How do you cut grass with a reel mower?

Reel Mowing Tips

  1. The direction of your mowing can have a tremendous effect on how good your lawn looks. ...
  2. Mow no more than 1/3 of the grass blade, so that a deeper roots are encouraged. ...
  3. Increase the amount of overlap in your mowing if your lawn reaches a height of 4 inches or more.

How low can a reel mower cut?

The industry understands that rotary mowers cannot give a quality cut lower than 1.5 inch Mowing heights. Reel mowers can and should mow lower : With a reel mower you may always cut to the lowest recommended height and be confident of a naturally healthy lawn.

Can you mow zoysia with a rotary mower?

Reel mowers are recommended for zoysia grass because of their scissor-like method of cutting. But as long as you cut your lawn on a regular basis, a rotary mower can work. Make sure the grass is dry when you mow to prevent clumps, which can lead to fungus and disease.

Should I bag my zoysia grass clippings?

If those clumps are left to sit on the lawn, then it can cause the live grass beneath it to be subject to disease, rot and ultimately death. Bagging your zoysia grass clippings will allow the grass that is left after a mowing to grow and thrive in a healthy manner.

Should you bag zoysia grass when cutting?

Bagging Zoysia grass clippings creates a beautiful landscape: Most homeowners choose Zoysia grass because they want to keep their lawn beautiful. To do so, you need to bag the grass clippings so that your healthy grass can be shown off.

Why do golf courses use reel mowers?

The precise cutting action of a reel mower creates an extremely clean cut and allows you to mow the grass at lower heights than a rotary mower will be able to produce.

Are manual mowers any good?

With no battery, fuel or electricity to worry about, manual lawn mowers are a more environmentally-friendly option. These pedestrian powered machines are pushed along the lawn and the cylinder blades rotate to trim the grass as you move.

How often should you sharpen a reel mower?

But generally, Mowerslab experts recommend every 20-25 hours of usage take an interval and sharpen the blades. But some people do it once or twice a year. Conversely, if you use a reel mower in a commercial location, we recommend sharpening mower blades once a week for optimal performance.

How do you lubricate a reel mower?

grease, remember to lubricate more often. Reels can be oiled while attached to mower frame by lifting the front of the reel to get the wheels up off of the ground. Oil in hole (See Figure 3A) with a squirt oil can, (2 squirts) while turning the wheel in reverse as to not turn reel blades.

What is the difference between a reel mower and a rotary mower?

A Reel mower snips the grass, cutting each blade like a pair of scissors. It's a precise, clean cut that makes for a healthier and more attractive lawn. A Rotary Mower is a mower in which the blade spins horizontally (east to west) and uses a sucking and tearing action to cut the blades of grass.

How much does a manual lawn mower cost?

Gas-powered manual push lawn mowers range in price from $140 to $567. Most mid-range options will cost around $265. Expect a higher price if you want a self-propelled gas mower.

How long do push lawn mowers last?

How long do they last? Most mowers will run 10 years or more with regular maintenance. Warranties are two to five years.

Can you pull a reel mower?

Tow-behind reel mowers are ideal for mowing golf courses, very large lawns, athletic fields, and other open-range areas that require a quality cut. You'll often see golf course landscapers towing gang mowers over fairways, cutting just grass. Unlike most lawn mowers, gang reel mowers don't have an engine.