All types of grasses benefit from high quality soil. Use an organic lawn fertilizer to improve the quality of your soil long term.
You can use this page as a guide for choosing a cutting height for your grass. If you click on the grass name, it leads to a detailed page about that type of grass.
Kentucky Bluegrass: mow at 1 1/2″ to 2 1/2″
Rye grass: mow at 1 1/2″ to 2 1/2″
Fescue: mow at 1 1/2″ to 2 1/2″
Tall Fescue: mow at 1 1/2″ to 3″
Bermuda: mow at 1/2″ to 1″
St. Augustine: mow at 1″ to 3″
Bentgrass: mow at 1/4″ to 3/4″
Centipede grass: mow at 1″ to 2″
Zoysia: mow at 1/2″ to 1″
Buffalo grass: mow at 2 to 3 inches, or leave it completely unmowed
The Better Lawn and Turf Institute also offers a guide to cutting height.
Need a mower? Visit Clean Air Gardening for environmentally friendly lawn and garden tools and supplies.
Another reel mower page.