In Sarasota and Manatee counties, the answer changes with the season. From roughly May through October, the rainy season and long, hot days push St. Augustine and Bahia grass to grow fast. Most lawns need a cut every week during those months, and skipping one means the next mow takes off too much at once.
From November through April, growth slows down. Cooler nights and less rain mean many lawns look fine on an every-other-week schedule. Cutting too often in the dry season stresses the grass for no real benefit.
Height matters as much as frequency. St. Augustine does best kept tall, around three and a half to four inches; scalping it short invites weeds, chinch bugs, and brown patches. Bahia handles a slightly lower cut, around three to four inches, and Zoysia lower still. A good rule is never to remove more than a third of the blade in one mow.
Sharp blades make a visible difference, too. A dull blade tears grass instead of cutting it, leaving ragged, brown tips and opening the lawn to disease. We keep our blades sharpened so every visit leaves a clean cut.
If you're not sure what kind of grass you have or what schedule fits, we'll tell you during a free walk-through and set a service day that changes with the seasons.