How should I mow my lawn in the fall and winter?

Our Canopy Lawn Care Pros have put together some basic tips on lawn mowing during the colder seasons that will help you maintain your lawn’s health.

Different grass types require different care during the fall and winter. Lawn mowing during the cool season also depends on your climate zone and what kind of weather your area is having. If you have a warm season grass, it is likely not dormant yet if the temperatures have been warm. Continue to mow your warm season grasses like Bermuda, Zoysia, and St. Augustine until you notice growth beginning to slow or your lawn begins to brown out. This is a sign that it is heading into dormancy. When grass growth begins to slow, it is time to reduce the frequency of your lawn mowing. Depending on your grass variety, you may also want to start lowering your mower blade height to prepare your lawn for winter.

This is one of the most beneficial services that you can offer cool season grasses like Fescue. It is important to pause mowing when your new seed is germinating to give the new grass time to establish and grow. Begin mowing your lawn when new seedlings reach 3-4″ tall. You can continue to mow your cool season grass throughout the winter as long as it continues to grow and the risk of frost is low.

In addition to proper lawn mowing, be sure to take leaves and leaf removal into account in the fall and winter. If you have a mulching mower, you can mulch some of the leaves that fall right back into your lawn to provide added nutrients. However, you should not let heavy leaf coverage sit on your lawn for extended periods of time. This limits the amount of light that your grass receives and also provides the ideal environment for fungus and mold to grow. Our Canopy Lawn Care Pros recommend raking or blowing leaves off your lawn to be collected or pushed into natural areas around your landscape.