However, a recent report from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania's CBS 21 News noted that keeping grass taller can help keep a used tractor in good working order. Bill Hornung, who runs a local hardware store, said that a shorter lawn can lead to a mower sucking up dirt and rocks, which can damage an air filter.
"When you cut your lawn short, it gets your mower down into the dirt and it sucks it all up into the engine and shortens the life of the engine and all the moving parts, wheels, it really shortens the life of the mower," Hornung told the television station.
Keeping grass longer can also help soil retain moisture by allowing root systems to grow. It also provides additional shade for the ground, which will prevent water from evaporating.
These facts are especially important to keep in mind during the height of the summer, when the sun is at its strongest.
