Height of Lawn Grass in the Winter

The last mow of the year can be the most important.

Maintaining the proper height of lawn grass prior to winter helps to keep the lawn healthy and prevent late winter and early spring diseases. A proper mowing height for the last cut in fall will also help to prevent the grass from getting matted down over the winter.

Fall Lawn Mowing

Start reducing the mowing height as winter approaches.

In the last few mowings prior to the very last mow of the season, lawns should be mowed at a height of 2 1/2 inches to 3 inches. This height allows the blades to continue to make food for the plant and store nutrients prior to going dormant for the winter.

Late Fall Mowing

Tall blades of lawn grass trap moisture and can foster mold diseases.

For the last cut of the lawn before winter, reduce the mowing height to between 2 and 2 1/2 inches. This is the appropriate height for your lawn in winter. Lawns at this height are less susceptible to diseases such as snow mold.

Early Spring Mowing

Wait until the grass starts to grow to perform the year's first mowing.

As soon as temperatures warrant in the spring, the lawn should be given the shortest mowing of the year. It can be cut as low as 1 1/2 inches to 2 inches to help remove dead blades and remove debris that settled on the lawn over the winter.

References

• Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet; Lawn Mowing; William E. Pound, et al.; 1993
• University of Illinois Extension; Turfgrass Mowing; Tom Voigt
• Cornell University; Timely Lawn Care Tips; October 2010
• University of Minnesota; Lawn Care Checklist: Late Summer - Early Fall; Bob Mugaas; 2009