Custom Turf, Inc.

07/10/2026

We always stress the importance of mowing height. Every bit as important as our program. Especially mid summer. Looked at a lot of lawns in the last week - customers and potential customers. Some of the 2" mowers even questioned my suggestion of raising the height. Below is a nice Google AI explanation

AI Overview

In the Pittsburgh area, mowing at 4" is generally much better for your lawn's health than 2". Taller grass develops deeper roots, shades out w**ds like crabgrass, and retains soil moisture better during hot, dry summer spells. Mowing at 2" should be avoided as it shocks cool-season grasses and leaves them vulnerable to heat stress.

Why 4" Wins in Western Pennsylvania

Drought Resistance: Pittsburgh's summer heat can quickly scorch a lawn. Taller blades (3.5" to 4.0") shade the soil, keeping it cooler and drastically reducing moisture evaporation.
W**d Prevention: Sunlight is required for w**d seeds (like crabgrass) to germinate. A thick, 4" canopy blocks the sunlight, starving w**d seeds before they take hold.
Deep Root System: The length of a grass blade directly dictates the length of its roots. A 4" lawn has deeper, more robust roots that can find nutrients and water buried deeper in the soil.

The Dangers of a 2" Cut

Scalping Risk: Cutting cool-season turf (like Kentucky Bluegrass or Fescue) down to 2" requires taking off too much green leaf tissue at once, which causes severe stress.
Nutrient Starvation: By removing the majority of the green blade, you rob the plant of its ability to photosynthesize and produce food.
Susceptibility to Disease: Stressed, weak turf is significantly more susceptible to lawn diseases, bare patches, and grub damage.

07/07/2026

Was asked to look at this lawn today currently being treated by a competitor. BLOWN OUT with Dollar Spot Disease. With the excessive humidity and frequent storms, disease is a major issue now. However, I told the homeowner... I cannot pin this ALL on her fertilization company. Yes there is a lack of fertility and the lawn desperately needs a few fungicide apps. But, the lawn is being mowed at 2" and the sprinklers are running too much. Recipe for disaster regardless of who is treating the lawn. We ARE going to turn this lawn around but remember.. mowing and watering habits are every bit as important as our service. Do not over-water and raise the mower to 4"!!

07/04/2026

06/22/2026

Now that it is officially summer, let's talk mowing! Mowing practices are as important as our applications for the success of a lawn.
For the best results - the higher the better. Give your lawn a chance to tolerate the stresses of summer by mowing at around 4". I looked at this lawn last week - mowed at 2" (and it shows!). Fortunately I had the chance to educate this homeowner and look forward to checking the lawn again when mowed properly.

03/25/2026

What you may be currently seeing in your lawn are random yellow spots approximately the size of your fist or slightly bigger, some even connected or irregular in shape. This is perennial ryegrass bunches or clumps that have been adversely affected by the extreme swings in air temperature.

Earlier this March we exited the deep freeze and started seeing temperatures in the 70’s and more recently even low 80’s. Some grass types began coming out of dormancy, showing a nice green color and some even moderate top growth. We dipped back into the 20’s one or two days each week and even saw approximately 3” of snow cover.

Perennial ryegrasses, like tall fescue and fine fescues are “clump or bunch” growers by nature and are susceptible to freeze tip burn when they exit dormancy prematurely (encouraged by the early warm temperatures). Bluegrasses however hold a longer dormancy and generally do not begin their exit until sometime in April. The yellow circles are ryegrass clumps that have been frost burned but the damage is only temporary. As top growth continues and mowing begins, the yellow tips will be mowed off, and the entire grass plant will display its spring green color.

As a side note, we have also witnessed lots of yellow footprints both human and animal especially from deer. The foot traffic on a frozen lawn breaks the tender foliage of the grass plant and causes a similar look of freeze burn. Again, this is only a temporary situation alleviated by top growth and mowing.

02/26/2026

Heather is Brandon's (Our Lawn Operations Manager) wife and is an incredible baker. She showed up a bunch of times over the winter with cookies, cupcakes, cakes, etc.. spoiling our office staff! Today she outdid herself bringing us this cake to help kick the season off. A Custom Turf Lawn - before and after. Great example of our work and absolutely delicious!