When Should You Mow in the Fall?
So, when should you mow in the fall? To begin with, not during a draught. I had planned to mow my lawn today. It’s been a couple of weeks since I mowed my yard. However, I saw on the local weather this morning that there’s no rain expected for a week. Mowing during a drought is generally not recommended at any time of year, but especially in the Fall. However, you should consider several factors.
Don’t Stress Out Your Lawn
During a drought, grass is already stressed due to the lack of water. Mowing can further stress the grass, especially if it’s already browning or going dormant.
Set your Blade Higher
If you must mow, set your mower blade higher. Cutting the grass too short can leave it vulnerable to heat and make it harder for it to recover. Longer grass shades the soil and helps retain moisture. A general rule of thumb is to leave it at least 3 to 4 inches tall.
Mow Less Frequently
Reduce mowing frequency. If your grass isn’t growing much due to the drought, mowing less often may be better for its overall health.
Quench Your Lawn’s Thirst
Make sure your grass is adequately watered before mowing. If you’re in an area with severe drought, it’s best to limit watering to essential needs and avoid overwatering right before mowing.
Mowing isn’t always a bad thing during a drought, but it’s essential to be mindful of the grass’s health.
When Should You Mow in the Fall?
Grass typically stops growing in the Fall when temperatures consistently drop below 50°F. As cooler weather sets in, grass enters a dormant phase. In Central Indiana, this typically occurs, but not always, between late October and early November. However, the type of grass makes a difference. Cool-season grasses, such as Kentucky bluegrass and fescue, tend to continue growing into the Fall and may even thrive in mild temperatures until the first frost. Warm-season grasses, such as Bermuda and zoysia, typically slow down and stop growing by mid-fall as the weather cools.
In central Indiana, the general rule of thumb for stopping lawn mowing is when the grass stops growing due to cooler temperatures. Grass growth slows down significantly once the daytime temperatures consistently drop below 50°F. However, if there’s still some growth, you can mow occasionally until the grass becomes dormant.
But Wait, There’s More!
- Gradually lower the mowing height as the season progresses, but don’t cut too short.
- It’s a good idea to give your lawn one last mow to keep the grass at a manageable height (around 3 inches) before winter.
- If there are periods of unseasonably warm weather in late Fall, you may still see some growth, in which case mowing could continue, but be mindful of soil moisture.
- Always avoid mowing when the grass is wet.
The most important thing to remember about mowing your grass in the Fall is to use common sense.
How Can We Help You?
Berger Hargis has a company philosophy of providing personal excellence for all our services. Our growth and success have been due entirely to our commitment to honest, excellent customer service. The company has been built on the referral business we have received due to this philosophy.
We work with residential customers and businesses in Central Indiana. If you have any questions about mowing your lawn, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
About the Author
Randy Clark is a speaker, coach, and author. He publishes a weekly blog at RandyClarkLeadership.com. Randy is passionate about social media, leadership development, and flower gardening. He’s a beer geek, and on weekends he can be found fronting the Rock & Roll band Under the Radar. He’s the proud father of two educators; he has four amazing grandchildren and a wife who dedicates her time to helping others. Randy is the author of the Amazon bestseller The New Manager’s Workbook, a crash course in effective management.
If you’d like to learn more about Fall lawn care, check out these posts.
5 Fall Lawn Care Essentials for a Beautiful Spring Lawn
7 Point Fall Lawn and Garden Clean-up Checklist
Photo by Carl Tronders on Unsplash
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