The approaching winter presents a critical window for lawn care, even if fall maintenance has slipped behind schedule. While many gardeners aim to give their lawns a final, short cut before the first hard frost, skipping this step and letting grass grow long over the winter can lead to significant problems in spring. Here’s a practical guide to ensuring your lawn stays healthy until warmer weather returns.
The Risks of Long Grass in Winter
Leaving grass uncut or overly long exposes it to several risks. Matting occurs as the weight of snow compresses the tall blades, reducing airflow and creating an ideal environment for snow mold – a fungal disease that manifests as discolored patches in early spring. Beyond disease, long grass also attracts unwanted pests like moles, voles, and mice, who dig damaging runways beneath the snow cover.
When to Mow (Even Late in the Season)
Cool-season grasses don’t enter full dormancy until temperatures remain consistently below 40°F. As long as your grass is still actively growing, you can safely mow it. Take advantage of any warmer periods following the first frost to get in a final cut.
Optimal Cutting Height and Technique
The ideal winter height for cool-season grasses is around 2.5 inches. If you’ve already fallen behind on fall mowing, aim for a final cut at this height. If the grass is significantly longer, avoid scalping it by cutting in stages – removing no more than one-third of the blade length per mowing.
While stressing the grass with a single, aggressive cut is risky, it’s still preferable to leaving it overgrown for the winter.
Ensure no clumps of clippings remain after mowing, as these can also contribute to matting and disease.
Important Considerations for Late-Season Mowing
- Mow when thawed and dry: Avoid mowing frozen or snow-covered grass, which can damage blades and increase disease susceptibility.
- Leaf Management: Fallen leaves, while beneficial for the yard in general, can block sunlight and promote mold on the lawn. Rake and remove them while dry, or use a rotary mower to chop them into mulch through multiple passes.
- Winter Fertilization (Optional): Fertilizing in the fall is only recommended if your lawn is already unhealthy. Conduct a soil test to determine nutrient deficiencies before applying fertilizer in cooler weather (typically November or December in many U.S. regions).
Minimize Winter Foot Traffic
Frozen grass is particularly vulnerable to compaction. While avoiding the lawn entirely isn’t realistic, reduce foot traffic as much as possible, especially when you can clearly see footprints in the frost. Compaction damages soil structure and hinders healthy spring growth.
In conclusion, while a last-minute effort might be needed, preparing your lawn properly for winter is a small investment that pays off in a healthier, more vibrant lawn come spring. A final mow, combined with good leaf management and limited foot traffic, can prevent common winter lawn problems and set you up for success.
