Late Fall Mowing Tips

Proper cutting techniques are absolutely essential to an ecology-friendly lawn. As the intensity of heat drops during the late fall season, so to will the rate at which your lawn grows. Therefore, it's necessary to change the frequency (and intensity) of cutting during the month of November. 

Here is everything you need to know about your last few mows of the season.

Bag clippings before winter

If you're recovering from disease or doing the final cut of the season, bag clippings instead of mulching like you might do in the summer. The less organic material you have on your lawn before winter, the better, as it can suffocate your grass and create points of damage on your lawn. 

Mow when the lawn is dry

It's difficult to get a clean cut when the lawn is wet, and mowing a lawn when it is wet can spread some fungal turfgrass diseases.

Avoid mowing your lawn if the ground is frozen or the grass is dormant or covered in frost as well. These issues will make the grass clumpy and fragile, and you’ll end up doing more harm than good to your lawn in the long run.

A frost covered lawn should always be stayed off of until the frost has lifted.

Make your last cut before winter short

Cut when the lawn is dormant, at 1.5 inches high to remove summer build up. By raising the mower back up to 2.5 inches in the spring, the top 1 inch of growth will be beautiful new grass. Remember to raise the cutting again before spring.

Bentgrass lawns can be cut at 0.75 inch or lower for final cut. Bag & compost the clippings if cuttings pile up on the lawn.

Tips for coastal regions

In parts of the country where long winters, excessive snowfall, and prolonged periods of snow cover don’t persist during the winter, mowing short isn’t as critical.

Maintain regular mowing heights throughout the entire season, especially in areas that are susceptible to moss infestations. Shorter mowing heights often make it easier for moss to take hold on exposed soils and spread more quickly. 

Many people mow without ever thinking about the health of their lawn. It's just a job to tick off the list, right? Wrong; you can greatly impact the health of your lawn by mowing correctly. Download our free eBook to learn more!