One of the most common questions we get from new Horry County homeowners — especially those relocating from other parts of the country — is how often they should be mowing. The honest answer: more often than you're probably used to, especially in summer.
The Short Answer by Season
- Spring (March–May): Begin weekly mowing once grass is actively growing — usually mid-March for Bermuda, early April for Zoysia and St. Augustine
- Summer (June–September): Weekly minimum for all warm-season grasses; fast-growing Bermuda lawns may need cutting every 5–6 days during peak heat
- Fall (October–November): Transition to bi-weekly as growth slows; stop when grass goes dormant
- Winter (December–February): No mowing needed for dormant lawns — Bermuda and Zoysia turn tan and stop growing
Why Coastal SC Lawns Grow So Fast
The Myrtle Beach area sits in a subtropical climate zone — long, hot, humid summers with plenty of rainfall. Warm-season grasses like Bermuda, Zoysia, and St. Augustine are genetically programmed to take full advantage of these conditions. From May through September, you're fighting active, aggressive growth that won't slow down until temperatures drop in October.
Never remove more than one-third of the grass blade in a single mowing. Cutting too short stresses the plant, burns the crown in summer heat, and opens the door to weed invasion and fungal disease. If you let it get too long, mow it down gradually over two or three sessions.
Ideal Mowing Heights by Grass Type
- Zoysia: 1.5 – 2.5 inches during growing season
- Bermuda: 1 – 2 inches (lower = denser, more manicured appearance)
- St. Augustine: 3 – 4 inches — keep it taller to shade out weeds and protect roots
- Centipede: 1.5 – 2 inches — never scalp it; it doesn't recover well
Signs You're Mowing at the Wrong Frequency
- Too infrequent: Lawn looks uneven after mowing, scalped patches appear, thatch builds up quickly, weeds establish between cuts
- Too frequent: Grass blades appear stressed, thin, or pale; roots don't have time to recover between cuts
- Wrong height: Brown tips immediately after mowing (too short), or lawn looks messy and unkempt within days (too tall before cutting)
Vacation Rental Owners: Mowing on a Guest Schedule
For Airbnb and vacation rental owners in Myrtle Beach and Horry County, mowing frequency needs to align with your guest rotation — not just the calendar. A lawn that looks great at check-in but is knee-high two weeks later during a guest stay reflects poorly on the property.
Most rental owners we work with opt for weekly service during peak season (May–September) and bi-weekly service in shoulder months. We schedule around your booking calendar and make sure the property looks its best for every arrival.
For vacation rental owners: lock in a recurring weekly service from April 1 through October 31 and bi-weekly from November through March. It's the simplest system and keeps the property looking consistently professional.
What About After Heavy Rain?
Coastal SC gets significant rainfall during summer — often an inch or more in a single afternoon storm. After heavy rain, wait until the lawn drains enough that you're not leaving deep ruts or compacting saturated soil. Usually 24–48 hours after a heavy storm is sufficient. Mowing wet grass also clogs equipment and leaves uneven clippings.
If keeping up with your lawn schedule feels like too much to manage, Bakerss handles weekly and bi-weekly lawn care for homes across all of Horry County — starting at $50.
