When Do You Stop Mowing Your Lawn in the Fall?

Depending on location, fall lawn mowing wraps up in November.

As day length shortens and temperatures cool in fall, attention draws away from lawn mowing in the minds of many gardeners. Stop mowing the lawn once you notice no further growth or increase in height or when the weather prevents it.

Types

Two broad groups of turf grass types must be mentioned regarding mowing and the fall season. Warm-season grasses like zoysia or Bermuda grass halt their growth in chilly fall weather and turn tan. Conversely, cool-season grasses like bluegrass and fescue prosper in the cooler moist fall months and continue to grow until it gets too cold.

Geography

Cool-season grasses dominate in the northern United States and southern Canada, as well as at higher elevations. Warm-season lawns occur in milder winter regions in the southern half of the U.S. Based on latitude or elevation, the grasses stop growing and don't warrant another mowing once November or December arrives. In subtropical areas, mowing may continue even during the winter, though frequency decreases.

Considerations

Stop mowing warm-season grasses once they lose their green color. Cool-season grasses can be mowed until it snows if you see uneven growth and tall grass blades. Use the mower blade's setting to gauge if more mowing is needed. When a pass of the mower doesn't produce clippings, store the mower for winter.

References

• The Ohio State University: Lawn Mowing
• University of Florida IFAS Extension: Mowing Your Florida Lawn
• University of Minnesota Extension: Upper Midwest Home Lawn Care for Cool Season Grasses