How to Mow Your Lawn the Right Way for Better Grass

Fall lawn care doesn’t end when summer does. As temperatures drop, grass growth slows but still needs cutting until it goes into winter dormancy. Setting the mowing height and timing correctly can make a big difference to a grass’s ability to survive the cold weather and bounce back well in spring. Autumn is also a great time to check out your mower and rake up the leaves before they start to cover the lawn.

Before the season ends, be sure your mower is ready for the cooler, wetter conditions. It’s worth taking a look at your mower and ensuring that it’s ready for cooler and wetter conditions before the season ends. For example, Craftsman lawn mowers can do quite well for regular autumn mowing if they are properly maintained and have the right components. If your mower requires maintenance or replacement parts, lawn mower parts for Craftsman can help keep it in good working order. UDC Parts offers replacement parts for common mower repair and maintenance needs. A good mower makes it easier to keep a consistent cutting height and get a clean cut.

Why Mowing Your Lawn Correctly in the Autumn Is Important for a Healthy Lawn

Mowing in the fall also helps the grass get ready for winter. “Grass still needs its leaves to catch the sun and produce energy while it grows.” You can also weaken the plant and reduce the leaf area for this process if you cut too much at once. When there is wet snow, or especially leaves, pressing down on it, you can have troubles from long grass, too. You are trying to keep the grass at the right height as it grows. Just because the weather is getting colder doesn’t mean you can stop mowing – it means you should mow less frequently.

Fall Mowing and Its Effect on Grass Roots and Winter Survival

Grass gets energy from its leaves and some of that energy is used to make roots grow. The cooler weather of autumn can be good for root development as heat stress is less. Regular mowing helps to maintain sufficient leaf surface for this process. A sharp mower blade also makes a cleaner cut and reduces damage to the grass. As winter comes closer, growth slows and the lawn prepares for dormancy. The final cut should be just enough to leave some leaf tissue but not allow the grass to get too long.

Cutting grass very short can remove too much leaf tissue at one time. This stresses the plant and can leave the soil more exposed to cold conditions. Very tall grass can lay over and remain wet for a long period of time. It may be matted under snow or layers of leaves as well. A moderate height provides a better balance between protection and good air movement on the lawn. Hence the last cut should not be the shortest cut of the year.

Know Your Grass Type Before Mowing in the Autumn

Also, the Grass type effects on Fall Mowing are not insignificant. Cool- and warm-season grasses respond differently to temperature drops. Cool-season grasses rev up again in fall and may need to be cut for “everyone”. Warm-season grasses like Bermuda grass tend to slow down in cooler weather and can go dormant even earlier than this. Hence the last all season cut-off for mowing can vary from lawn-turf to lawn-turf. Knowing what type of grass you have will allow you to know what the proper height is for your grass and how long to mow.

Cool-Season and Warm-Season Grasses

Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass and tall fescue are cool-season grasses. Often these grasses respond well to cooler autumn temperatures and can keep growing after the heat of summer has passed. Mow while the grass is growing. Don’t stop because the calendar says the end of autumn. Warm-season grasses such as Bermuda, zoysia and St. Augustine typically slow down sooner. For these grasses, the frequency of mowing will decrease as the growth rate slows and the last mowing is before full dormancy.

Both grasses still need enough leaf surface before winter. Don’t make a sudden, very short cut just because the cold weather is coming. The proper final height depends upon the species and upon local conditions. A lawn that stays wet may require different treatment than one that has good drainage. When in doubt, use the recommendations for your particular grass, instead of copying the height used on another lawn.

How High Should You Cut Your Lawn in Autumn?

One of the most important parts of fall lawn care is mowing height. The right height allows the grass to have plenty of leaf area but still be short enough so it doesn’t matt. During active growth, many lawns should be kept a little higher than very short. If your grass variety is capable of thriving at a shorter final height, a slight adjustment can be made as winter is approaching.

The One-Third Rule for Healthy Lawn

How much to mow is also a one-third rule of thumb. Don’t cut more than one-third of the blade length at a time while mowing. Hence it is preferable to cut 1 inch when grass is 3 inches tall rather than to cut down to 1.5 inches. This guides the minimal amount of stress a grass plant can be put under and can recover from. That also might mean more mowing, when growth is active.

If the grass is too tall, don't try to get to the final height in one pass. Lift the mower deck and clear some of the growth first. Give the grass a chance to recover before you mow again. This is safer than scalping the lawn. It also makes smaller quantities of easier-to-manage clippings.

How Often Should You Mow in the Autumn?

There is no one-size-fits-all fall lawn mowing schedule. Mow To The Growth Of The Grass, Not To The Calendar. Grass can continue growing at a regular pace in warm weather, if it receives rain in the early part of Autumn. Then, growth decelerates after that point and the need for mowing will be less frequent. Cool-season grasses may need to be mowed multiple times after warm-season grasses stop growing. Inspect the lawn before mowing, and mow when the grass has grown enough to get a trim.

An easy indicator is how fast the grass returns to its original height after being cut. If you don’t notice a great deal of growth within a few days, you can increase the time between cuts. If grass is growing quickly after a rain, continue to cut as needed. Do not mow when the soil is wet, as the wheels of the mower will rut the soil and cause additional compaction. Moist grass can likewise clog the mower and produce uneven clumps. If you can, wait till the conditions are right.

When to Mow for the Last Time?

Usually the last mowing is done when growth of the grass has almost stopped. The exact time varies depending on the type of grass, climate and weather. Don’t count on a particular date, because a warm spell can restart growth. Before making the final cut, rake sticks, branches and heavy leaves from the lawn. Make sure the mower blade is sharp and the deck is clean. Set the final cut at a height that’s appropriate for your grass and winter conditions.

How to Properly Mow Your Lawn in the Fall

Good mowing technique protects both the lawn and the mower. A dull blade can shred grass instead of cutting it sharply. Wet grass can cling to the mower deck and form heavy clods. Cutting in the same direction can also leave visible tracks and subject the same spots to repeated pressure. Slight modifications to your routine can improve the outcome. Autumn is a good time to pay attention to these details as wet soil is more easily damaged.

Prior to mowing, do the following:

• Ensure the grass and soil are dry enough to cut.
• Remove sticks, stones, toys and other miscellaneous debris.
• Check the mower blade and sharpen it if necessary.
• Adjust the mower deck to the correct height.
• Cut no more than one third off the grass height.
• After mowing, check for heavy clumps.
• After you are finished using the mower, clean the deck.

Keep Blades Sharp & Change Mowing Direction

Each blade of grass is cleanly cut across by a sharp blade. A blade that is dull can rip the grass, leaving brown or ragged tips. It can also cause the mower to have to work harder. Blade condition is even more important for autumn mowing, which can be more difficult when grass and leaves are wet.

Mow when grass is dry enough to make a clean cut. Alternate your mowing direction from time to time. You can mow horizontally one week and vertically the next or follow a diagonal pattern. This avoids repeated wheel tracks and stops the grass from leaning one way. Avoid making sharp turns in the same places, which increases soil wear and compaction.

What to Do With Grass Clippings and Fallen Leaves

You’ll often be mowing through leaves at the same time as you mow in the autumn. A light covering of dry leaves will usually mulch with a mower. Small leaf pieces can fall into the grass field and decompose over time. Heavy layers of leaves are different because they can block light and hold moisture against the lawn. In that case, some leaves should be raked before mowing. Do not leave a thick wet layer on the lawn.

Short grass clippings that are evenly distributed can usually be left on the lawn. They can decompose and return nutrients to the soil. Don't leave any big clumps in as they block out the light and air. If the grass was long before mowing, remove some of the clippings instead. The same is true of leaves: a light coating can be tolerated, a heavy coating should be removed.

When to Mulch or Rake Leaves

Mulching works best when the leaves are dry and are spread thinly. Run the mower over them until the pieces are small enough to sink into the grass. If you have large pieces you may need to run it a second time. Do not try to mulch a thick, wet layer in one pass; the mower may clog. If the mower is struggling, remove some leaves first. In the autumn, you may have to pick up leaves more often from areas protected by trees.

If leaves cover most of the grass or remain moist for long periods, remove them. Clean them out of drains, paths and other places they can cause trouble. If you have leaves and clippings, compost them or put them through a yard-waste service. Do not leave large piles on the grass. It also makes it easier to inspect the grass before winter by keeping the surface clear.

These options can work well when leaf cover is light:

• Mow and mulch the dry leaves.
• Let fine pieces of leaf lie on the lawn.
• Repeat mowing pass if needed.
• Rake up thick layers of leaves before mowing.
• Remove leaves from wet or poorly drained areas.

The Last Mowing of the Fall & Winter Lawn Preparation

Final mowing is one part of preparing the lawn for winter. Once grass growth has stopped, focus on keeping the lawn free of heavy leaves and debris. Check locations where water can collect after a rain; inadequate drainage can cause problems during cold weather. If your lawn requires other autumn work, such as aeration or overseeding, do it at the right time for your grass type and region. Not every lawn gets every treatment. A good mowing and leaf management are often the most important final steps.

Use this simple checklist before winter sets in:

• Keep mowing as the grass continues to grow.
• Follow the third mowing rule.
• Use a sharp blade on your mower.
• Set the mowing height for your type of grass, final.
• Remove thick layers of fallen leaves.
• Clear away branches and other debris.
• Find poor drainage and standing water.
• Clean and inspect the mower before storing.