For maintaining a healthy and attractive lawn, proper mowing practices are essential. As temperatures drop and the ground freezes, grass will enter a dormant state, which can cause it to turn brown or stop growing altogether. Colder temperatures can cause frost and freezing, leading to extreme damage to your lawn if not correctly cared for. However, long grass can fall foul of snow mold.
So, what is the best temperature to mow grass? While there is no definitive answer, a general rule of thumb is to avoid mowing in cold weather below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Stop mowing your lawn when it is too cold, as it can damage the grass blades, roots, and soil, leading to dead grass, lawn fungus, or other vermin harming your lawn further.
In our guide, you can learn more about the answer: Is it too early to mow the lawn in March, and when should I mow after winter? By the end, you’ll see all the best practices for mowing your lawn during colder months and how to determine if it is safe to mow your grass after winter. (Read Can I Mow The Lawn With A Pacemaker)
Can You Cut Grass in Winter?
Lawn mowing is a necessary task for maintaining the beauty of your yard. Therefore, cutting grass that you see stop growing in winter may not be required unless there is a specific reason to do so. Cutting grass when it is too cold can cause damage to the blades of the mower because of frozen soil and ice patches on the ground.
How Cold Is Too Cold to Cut Grass?
The ideal time to mow your lawn is when temperatures are warm and consistent during the growing season. This is because grass begins to grow faster once the temperature rises above 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
However, as late October, and winter approaches, the temperature drops drastically, leading to frozen grass. Mowing frozen grass can be detrimental to your lawn as it can cause damage to both the blades of the mower and the delicate roots of the grass.
If you’re experiencing frost or below-freezing temperatures in your area, it’s a best practice to avoid mowing frozen grass until warmer weather returns. If you decide to mow your lawn when the first frost is due and the temperature outside is close to or below freezing, you must provide additional protection for your grass roots.
Is it Bad to Cut Grass Before a Freeze?
Mowing the lawn is an essential part of yard maintenance, but in cold weather, there are some precautions you should take. It is safe to start cutting your grass before a freeze as long as the temperature doesn’t drop 40 degrees Fahrenheit below.
If the temperature drops below this threshold, your lawn can become brittle and susceptible to damage from the mower blades.
However, once temperatures rise above 40 degrees Fahrenheit after a Spring freeze, it’s safe to resume mowing activities. (Learn How To Get Rid Of Centipede Grass)
Is it Better to Leave your Lawn Long or Short for Winter?
Many wonder whether they should leave their lawn long or short for winter. Some grasses can withstand cold temperatures better than others, making deciding how short or long you should cut your lawn easier.
Leaving your grass long is usually a good idea if you live in an area where the temperature drops during winter. A long grass blade provides insulation to help protect the roots from frost damage, and these long grass blades catch more sunlight during the day and retain heat at night.
Why is it Good to Mow Before Winter?
Mowing your lawn before winter can benefit your grass’s overall health. Cool-season grasses, like Kentucky bluegrass and fescue, grow more vigorously in the fall than during the hot summer. Mowing helps maintain a healthy height for your grass, which is essential in preventing snow mold from forming during winter.
Mowing before winter can help to reduce the amount of debris left on your lawn. This debris includes fallen leaves and dead blades of grass that have accumulated over time. Removing this layer of debris will allow sunlight and air to penetrate through the soil better and reach the roots of your cool-season grass.
Can you mow wet grass?
There isn’t a definitive yes or no answer when you mow wet grass. On the one hand, mowing damp grass can be possible if the conditions are right. For example, if you have a powerful mower with sharp blades and the grass is only slightly damp, you may cut your lawn without the hassle.
However, on the other hand, mowing wet grass can also cause significant problems for both your lawn and your mower. For instance, mowing wet grass can create clumps of clippings that will prevent sunlight and air from reaching the soil underneath, creating an environment for pests and diseases to grow.
How Often to Mow Your Lawn in Winter
During the winter season, lawn care is often overlooked. However, it is vital to maintain your lawn even during this time of the year. One of the essential things you should know as a homeowner is how often to mow your lawn in winter. Depending on how fast it grows, you should mow your grass every three to four weeks during winter.
Additionally, tell-tale signs show when your grass needs trimming, like an overgrown appearance or uneven patches of growth.
The Type of Grass
When mowing the lawn after winter, knowing the type of grass in your yard can make all the difference. Warm-season grasses like Bermuda, zoysia, and St. Augustine grow best in warmer temperatures, typically above 60°F.
These types of grasses may not start growing until mid-spring, when temperatures have consistently warmed up. However, cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass and fescue can tolerate colder temperatures and may even start growing during late winter or early spring.
If you have a cool-season lawn, you should wait until there has been enough sunlight for the grass to grow before mowing. Typically, this will be when the ground temperature is at least 50°F. (Read What Temperature Is Too Hot To Water Grass)
Grass Height
Mowing warm-season grass when the temperature drops below 50°F can cause damage to the blades and roots of the plant.
When the weather is too cold, warm-season grass enters a dormancy period that slows its growth rate. Mowing during this time can cause undue stress on the plant and may cause yellowing or browning of the blades. An extra half inch in your grass height can make all the difference between cutting. Or you need to stop mowing.
Climatic Conditions
Mowing grass is a regular chore for every homeowner, but it can be challenging when the weather changes. During winter months, when the temperature drops below freezing, grass stops growing and becomes dormant.
Mowing the lawn during these times is not recommended as it may damage the grass blades, leaving your yard looking ragged and uneven. However, warm weather is ideal for mowing your lawn. The grass grows fast and healthy when temperatures are between 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Mowing your lawn during this time encourages new growth besides trimming off dead or damaged blades of grass. However, if temperatures rise above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s best to postpone mowing until early morning or late afternoon when it’s cooler outside.
When Should You Start Mowing In The Spring?
When to mow grass after winter comes spring, timing is everything. The ideal time to start mowing will depend on a few factors, including your grass type and how long winter lasts in your area.
Generally, warm-season grasses like Bermuda, Zoysia, or St. Augustine should be cut when they are at least 50% of green color and actively growing. For cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass or fescue, wait until the soil temperature reaches around 55°F. (Read Which Way Does A Lawn Mower Blade Go On)
One of the most important things to remember is you don’t want to start mowing too early in the season when temperatures are still too cold for optimal growth.
Mowing when temperatures are below 40°F can stress your lawn and cause damage that’s challenging to repair later on. Instead, wait for sunny weather consistently above 55°F before firing your mower.
