I don't water my lawn at all and this is the first time in the past few years its stayed nice and green this far into the summer. Think having some timely rains have sure helped as we did get just under 5 inches over 2 nights the other week and I do like to let it grow a little long before I mow. I think I have it set at 3.25" right now. My mower goes half inch adjustments so I don't really like to go under 3" till late in the mowing season.
The past few years seems like it has browned out or is close to by now with as dry as it was and I actually don't mind not having to mow about every 7-10 days like I have all year so far. Once it browns out its usually a good month before it perks up and I have to mow again and I don't mind that when it's humid and 100+ heat index outside at times.
This is year 3 with my Toro Timemaster and switching from a 21" to 30" deck has been a game changer with my .27 acre lot. When the lawn is thick and tall could take me 1.5 hours to mow it previously and now I can usually knock it out in about 45 minutes most times. I keep hearing about all the issues with the Timemaster and so far the only thing I have had to do was tighten the engagement cable tension so it fully engaged the blades. I've seen people post online about pulleys and belt issues but so far none of that. I wash off the deck after every mow and make sure I take the plastic shield off a couple times a year to clean out any grass clippings around the belts and pulleys. I wonder if most the issues people have with the Timemaster just comes from not properly maintaining it. I think with any mower if you clean it after every mow and check and changes the fluids and filters it will increase it's lifespan. My last mower was a 21" Craftsman that lasted 21 years before I replaced it and it was still running but just underpowered for my lawn size.