Grass grows and thrives during the summer, necessitating frequent mowing and maintenance. However, it won’t be long before the temperatures drop, meaning your lawn will need less trimming. Now, here comes the big question: when should you stop mowing your lawn before winter? This article provides expert answers on when to stop mowing ahead of the cold season. Stay put!
Why should you care about mowing timing?
The consensus out there is that mowing lawn in winter is a big NO! That’s because the grass is often dormant, frozen, and wet. Besides damaging your lawnmower, this can damage your grass roots and lead to bare patches. Plus mowing dormant grass can make it brittle, leading to uneven cuts.
Other reasons to mow your lawn before winter include:
- Longer grass can mat together during winter to trap moisture and create the perfect growing conditions for fungus. Mowing your grass earlier should help you prevent this.
- Pets such as mice and voles can find the perfect cover in long grass during the winter. Shorter grass should give them less protection in their burrows.
- Mowing your lawn at the right time ensures that it enters winter healthily. Such lawns should have a strong start during spring.
- Shorter grass is stiff and highly resistant to ice and snow damage.
Overall, mowing your lawn before the cold season is a good idea. It can significantly help with pest control and plant health. Pay attention to factors like temperature and grass height to get the perfect timing. We’ll discuss that in detail later in this guide.
Signs it’s time to stop mowing your lawn before winter
So, lawn mowing in winter is a bad idea. That’s why knowing when to stop mowing is important. Most experts recommend stopping when the grass goes dormant. As you may know, the grass will stop growing when the temperature falls to protect itself from the harsh winter conditions.
But when exactly does the grass stop growing? Generally, most grasses slow down their growth once the daytime temperature stays consistently below 40 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Therefore, reduce your urge to mow when the temperature falls below this rate.
Meanwhile, keep your eyes on the grass height. For cold-season grasses, you should aim for 2.5 to 3 inches tall. That’s tall enough to crowd out weeds and support healthy roots. It’s also short enough to prevent snow mold issues. You can drop the mower to 2 inches for the final cut.
Regional timing guide
Geographical location is critical when preparing for your last cut before the winter season. The thing is that your region and climate can dictate the type of turfgrass you grow. Warm-season grasses might have varying periods when they start becoming dormant.
For example, in the warmer southern regions like Florida and Texas, warm-season turfgrasses like St. Augustine and Bermuda can continue to grow into fall or winter. This means you may need to continue mowing as long as the grass grows.
Grass may stop growing completely in areas like the Midwest and Northeast where temperatures are colder. This is common with cold-season grasses like Kentucky Bluegrass and Fescue. These grasses are almost certain to slow their growth as the temperatures drop.
How to do a final mow before winter
Your lawn will certainly need the best mow you can give it before its finally ready for winter. For this reason, we’ve prepared a few mowing tips to help your lawn survive the harsh winter climate. Follow these tips and your grass will wake up beautifully when spring comes knocking.
- Don’t Cut Too Much Grass: The temptation to cut too much grass before winter is always there. However, cutting more than one third of the grass can stress your lawn. This can lead to scalping or yellowing. Therefore, avoid cutting much grass in a single session.
- Mow in the Evening: Mowing later in the day is a good option because your lawn would’ve dried up by this time. Remember that your grass can have dew or frost during the cooler fall mornings. So, mowing in the evening allows your grass to dry, giving you a cleaner cut.
- Don’t Trim Canopies: If you have trees, don’t cut the canopies before winter. According to experts, these canopies can prevent sunlight from hitting your lawn and germinate winter seeds. Of course, eliminating weeds can reduce your mowing work before the cold season.
- Don’t Shut Off Your Sprinklers Too Early: Keep your sprinklers running during fall because most cold-season grasses are still actively growing. Shitting off your sprinklers can deny them the needed energy and nutrients for root development. This can impact their overall health and appearance when spring arrives.
- Don’t Overseed: Overseeding is to add new grass seed to your lawn to improve its appearance and density. The best time to do this is during late fall, just when grass has stopped growing. However, don’t overseed just before the ground thaws and freezes.
- Aerate Your Lawn Early: Lawn aeration is to create small holes in the soil, allowing air, water and nutrients to reach the roots. Many people perform this practice during late summer or early fall before the grass stops growing. Early aeration can improve the health of the roots, helping the grass to recover after winter quickly.
Tips for lawn mower storage
Lastly, let’s look at some tips to store your lawn mower during winter. Properly storing your lawn mower during winter can ensure smooth and optimal performance in spring. Below are some tips to keep in mind:
- Clean Your Mower: Take time to thoroughly clean your lawn mower before storing it away during the winter season. Use a brush or wooden scrapper to clean out any soil and grass residues. Cleaning out any dirt should prevent any possible damages from frost and snow. However, avoid direct water flow, especially when dealing with robot vacuums.
- Prepare the Blades: Checking the cutting blades is one of the first things to do, depending on your preference. Ensure that there are no cracks or notches before storing the machine. If anything, sharpen or replace the blades before storage.
- Empty the Gas Tank: Ensure that the gas tank of your lawn mower is empty before the winter break. The thing is that any remaining gas will degrade during the cold season. This can lead to problems when trying to start your lawn mower during spring.
- Remove the Battery: If you’re using a robot vacuum, disconnect the battery and store it in a cool dry place. Before that, ensure that the battery is partially charged, preferably between 30 and 40%. If the battery is non-removable, store the lawn mower in a warm and dry place.
Bottom Line
We hope you are now ready to mow your lawn before winter. The trick lies in identifying when to stop mowing and learning to prepare your lawn for the harsh season. As a rule, strictly mow your lawn when the ground is dry. Wait until the temperatures hit at least 40 degrees Fahrenheit before you start mowing. We hope these tips will help!
