Homeowners should mow regularly to keep the lawn healthy and clean, but it doesn’t mean you have to mow at the same frequency all year round. Knowing when to mow is important, so is knowing when to stop mowing your lawn.
Generally speaking, you can take a rest in winter when the grass grows very slowly. But before that, you should give your lawn a final cut. So, how do you tell if it’s time for the last cut?
Why is the Last Cut of the Season So Important?
The last cut of the season is extremely important because the grass is about enter winter dormancy. It must prepare for the difficult period to survive and get green again in the next season.
The last cut gives the grass the perfect height it needs to survive. Suppose, if the grass is too long, it bends over and collects snow over it. It traps the moisture and creates a favorable environment for the pest and mold during the winter. It invites winter fungal diseases. So, you can’t leave the grass too long before winter.
And if the grass is too short, the crown will be exposed. It cannot bear the low temperatures of the winter season. The grass will eventually die and will not be able to recover or regrow in the next season. That’s why you should never scalp your lawn before winter.
You need to cut the grass at the optimal height according to its type. By doing so, the grass is able to absorb sunlight through its tips and store energy in the crown and roots. It prepares for the winter dormancy to survive harsh winters until spring arrives.
The last cut decides the fate of the grass. If you want to see your grass wake up again, you have to cut it before winter.
Key Indicators When to Stop Mowing Your Lawn
It’s necessary to mow your lawn before winter, but you have to do it at the right time. You can’t be late or early. It has to be at the perfect time of the year to get excellent results.
If the last cut is conducted too soon, then your lawn may not have the appropriate grass height to properly withstand the winter. If you missed the timing for the last cut, your lawn will be a mess without a doubt.
Here are some primary indicators to help you decide when to stop mowing your lawn.
Slow Growth Rate
The clearest indicator when to stop mowing your lawn for the year is when your grass’s growth slows significantly. Pay attention to the grass growth rate. If it takes longer than usual (perhaps over a week) to grow back after a cut, then it’s around the time for a final cut. But if it is growing actively, you should keep mowing.
Warm-season grasses, like Bermuda and Zoysia, grow fast during warmer months and may become dormant during cooler seasons. On the other hand, cool-season grasses thrive in spring and fall but grow slowly in the heat of summer. Different types of grass have varying growth habits, so you should pay attention to the growing habits of your lawn.
Weather Changes
When fall ends, temperatures begin to drop, and leaves begin to fall from trees. If you notice that the temperature stays consistently low and the cold lingers, it’s time to prepare for a final cut.
Pay attention to the temperature, but also consider the type of grass. Keep in mind that some grasses grow till the late season, while some grasses stop early. For instance, cool-season grasses grow till 40⁰F, while warm-season grasses usually stop growing once the temperature drops below 50⁰F.
However, there are other conditions when the grass enters a dormant state. For example, extended periods of drought may cause the grass to grow slowly. Disease and pests could also stop your lawn from growing suddenly. In this case, don’t hurry to mow your lawn. Figure out the real reason why the grass stops growing actively when there’s no weather change.
The First Hard Frost
The first hard frost means you have to stop mowing. Ideally, you should mow one week before it. But it is hard to predict. And by the time the first frost comes, it could be too late.
You should not wait for the first hard frost. Instead, stay ahead with the weather forecast. You should mow one week before the first frost prediction.
When you do it one week before, the grass has enough time to recover from the cut. It heals and stores energy before the cold season arrives.
Tips for Mowing Your Lawn the Last Time for the Season
Should you do the last cut the same as your mowing routine? You may wonder. The last cut is all about mowing at the right time and mowing correctly to let the grass withstand the upcoming harsh weather. So, this last cut for the year could be a bit different.
Don’t Cut Too Short or Too Long
As mentioned above, don’t leave the grass too long in the cold months; otherwise, your lawn might get diseased and become too long to mow easily in spring. Shorter grass can better withstand winter.
But don’t cut it too short. If the grass is too short, the roots may suffer from cold damage, and your lawn may have a hard time recovering.
Generally, you are good leave grass at 2 to 2.5 inches. But it is better to consider the type of grass you have. For instance, St. Augustine grass should be mowed around 2.5 to 3 inches. In contrast, Bermuda grass is kept around 1.5 to 2 inches for the final mow. Check out the best height to cut grass before mowing.
You need to mow the grass a bit differently in terms of height. But it does not mean you should neglect the one-third rule. Do not mow more than one-third of the grass at a time. It will put the grass under a lot of stress, and it might not have enough time to recover before the first frost. You can achieve the desired height in multiple sessions by lowering the deck slightly every time.
Replace or Sharpen the Blade
For the final mow, the mower blade should be sharp. Dull blades rip and tear the grass. These open wounds are vulnerable, and the lawn might suffer from diseases. You need a clean cut for the final mow.
Check the mower blade. If it is dull, you need to sharpen it. Check out our guide on how to sharpen lawn mower blades. If the blade has worn out and is in pretty bad shape, it is better to replace it. Check out how often change lawn mower blades.
Automate Lawnmowing
For the final mow, it is better to plan multiple sessions to achieve the desired height. Which is not possible for everyone. People often do lawnmowing only on weekends. That’s why they might miss the right time for the final cut.
The best way to make your lawn ready for the final mow and cut grass at the right time is to opt for a robot lawn mower. It automates lawnmowing. You only need to set the schedule and desired height, and the mower mows the lawn on its own. You can even use voice commands to activate the mower whenever you want. Thus, it keeps your lawn perfectly cut throughout the year, including before the first frost.
They navigate any kind of lawn and mow every corner. With advanced obstacle detection and navigation technology, they know every part of the lawn and how to mow it safely. They detect animals, children, lawn objects, and even suspended items in real-time and keep a safe distance.
They are also healthy for your lawn because they have sharp blades that finely cut the grass tips. The micro-clippings serve as an excellent fertilizer and provide the grass with nutrients to survive through winter.
The Navimow X4
If you have a large lawn up to 1.5 acres, you can go with the Navimow X4 series. It’s an incredible All-Wheel Drive (AWD) mower made to conquer any kind of terrain. Its Xero-Turn™ feature allows it to take a 180⁰ quick turn without damaging your lawn. It can mow tight spaces, difficult corners, under-tree areas, and almost every part of your lawn.
It mows on extremely steep slopes up to 84% (40⁰). It precisely mows edges within 2 inches of walls and fences. It even mows edge-to-edge on transitions and boundaries. You can adjust the mower height from 0.75 to 4 inches, which means it is ideal for the final winter mow for all grass types. It can also cut thick, dense, and long grass with its powerful motors and sharp blades.
It can handle up to 120 zones, including the non-mowing areas. You can schedule the final season mowing for different parts of a large yard/lawn. Even if you have multiple grass types, you can set the optimal height for each. With EFLS™ NRTK, 360⁰ VSLAM, and Vision Inertial Odometry, it precisely navigates in your lawn and detects obstacles instantly.
The Navimow i2 AWD
The Navimow i2 AWD series is suitable for small lawns. You can opt for Navimow i206 AWD (for 0.15 acre) or Navimow i210 AWD (0.25 acre).
It’s a budget-friendly robot mower to automate lawnmowing. Despite that, it offers Xero-Turn™, AWD, EFLS™ NRTK, and many exceptional features. It mows every part of your lawn precisely and works on all types of terrains, including slopes up 45% (24⁰) and edges.
It mows in tight spaces with the help of Xero-Turn™, so even if there are narrow pathways, hidden corners, and difficult areas, it can mow everything easily. The VisionFence™ detects 150+ obstacles, including animals, everyday objects, and lawn items.
You can adjust the deck height from 2 to 3.5 inches. So, you can mow different types of grasses before winter. It automatically maps your lawn and navigates precisely with EFLS™ NRTK. So, you just need to set the schedule and height for up to 20 zones, and it does everything for you.
Why You Don't Want to Mow in Cold Temperatures?
Grass tends to be stiff and brittle in cold temperatures. And cutting grass in winter will make it ripped and vulnerable to disease. And when grass is growing slowly in the cold, its ability to recover from those damages is hindered, making it more likely to develop yellow or brown patches.
Additionally, when the ground is frozen or cold and wet, the weight of a lawn mower can compact the soil, restricting the movement of air, water, and nutrients to the grass roots, which is not good for the grass’s health.
On the other hand, the grass tends to get wet in cold weather. Cutting wet grass will hurt the mower. And mowing on frozen or wet ground might cause slipping and injuring yourself with the mower.
Therefore, learn when to stop mowing your lawn for the season. Wait until the frost has completely melted and the temperature has consistently increased.
Related Reading: How to take care of your lawn in winter?
FAQ
Should you cut the grass in October?
It depends. If you monitor that the grass grows slowly significantly in October, and the temperatures drop and stay low at 50°F (10°C) or lower, you should prepare a final cut; otherwise, just cut according to your mowing routine.
How cold is too cold for a lawn mower?
Different lawn mower models have different working temperatures. You may refer to the manual of your model or consult the customer support. Generally speaking, no matter which mower model you use, you should never mow your lawn when temperatures are below freezing point, as mowing wet or frozen ground will damage the mower and the grass.
When should you mow your lawn after winter?
Wait until the frost completely thaws and the weather becomes warm with consistent warm temperatures. At this time, the grass will show signs of active growth and the soil will turn firm again, not waterlogged. Don’t mow your lawn when it’s wet or the ground is wet.
What happens if the grass gets too long?
If grass gets too long, it creates an unkempt look, leads to thin and drying patches, promotes fungal growth due to poor airflow and moisture retention, and can harbor pests and rodents. It also encourages weeds to sprout and grow taller. If you leave it to grow arbitrarily, your lawn will eventually become a fire hazard in dry conditions.
Conclusion
Mowing your lawn one last time can leave your lawn in the best condition possible for the winter and help promote healthy growth in the spring. By learning the indicators and following the mowing tips above, hopefully, you’re now clear on when to stop mowing your lawn and how to mow one last time for the season.
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