After taking a break from mowing a dormant summer lawn, your grass may be going through a grass spurt in the fall. Moderate temperatures bring it back to life for a brief time before going dormant again in the winter. Now is the time to prepare your yard for the next harsh season. Here are some tips for mowing the lawn in the fall to help ensure it stays healthy for the next spring.

Tips for Mowing the Lawn in Fall

Like any time of year, you don’t need to mow the grass if it isn’t growing. This is why the practice may have been more sporadic in the summer and winter. In fact, cutting the grass when it doesn’t need it not only wastes your energy, but it can end up damaging your lawn. Even though you may notice more growth in the cooler fall weather, your grass could still be dormant in drought-like conditions. However, there are still a few things to remember when mowing your lawn—when it needs it—this fall.

1. Gradually lower the cutting height. As the temperature starts to drop this season, lower the height of your mower blade to keep the grass short. This helps prevent fungal issues from forming on longer blades in the winter. Just be careful not to cut it too short and scalp the lawn.
2. Mow less frequently. Grass growth slows in cooler weather. Only cut the lawn when the grass reaches about three inches high. Plan to give the lawn one final mow before the first heavy frost.
3. Mulch the leaves. Instead of raking and removing leaves from the lawn, mow over them to mulch it into smaller pieces. As it decomposes it acts as a natural fertilizer. Either let them lay in the lawn or bag it for the garden.
4. Maintain your mower. After the final mow of the season, clean up your mower before storing. Remove any debris from the underside and sharpen the blades. Taking care of this now means one less thing to do in the spring.

Taking care of your lawn now sets it up for a healthier winter. Then you’ll be rewarded with less damage to repair next year and a lush, green lawn next spring.

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