Are you chomping at the bit to get back out on that fancy lawnmower and cut your grass? Well, you need to slow your roll! Winter is the time of year that your lawn is dormant, so there’s no need to get out there and do any trimming. In fact, you could do some serious damage to your lawn if you’re too eager to cut the grass again. Here are a few facts you must know about the health of your winter lawn and when you can cut the grass again.
When Will Grass Quit Growing?
If conditions are right, then the grass will keep growing no matter the season. If temperatures are below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, then you can generally assume the grass is dormant. That usually happens around October or November, but can be December depending on where you live.
When Should You Stop Cutting the Grass?
The first frost of the year is normally a good indicator of when to stop mowing. In anticipation of the first frost – because this isn’t your first winter rodeo – you should time it so you will be cutting your grass a couple of times, possibly up to three times, before the frost, reducing the height of the mowing blade each time.
How Short Should the Grass Be?
By the time winter hits, you want your grass to be somewhere between two to two and a half inch tall. That’s what we often call the “sweet spot” because the grass is not tall enough for snow mold and not so short that the cold weather will stress it out and possibly damage it.
As you work to get your lawn to the correct height for winter, you should avoid the temptation of cutting too much of the grass blade off at once. A good rule of thumb to follow is to never (and we mean never) cut off more than a third of the height of your grass at a time. The trims must be spread out so the lawn can slowly be conditioned to a shorter height for winter.
Should You Cut the Grass in Winter?
It’s not completely unusual to have a warm spell in winter these days. If it’s warm enough for your grass to sprout, you’re probably wondering if it should be cut. Our answer is: absolutely not. Warm temperatures in winter do not last and that little bit of extra growth protects the roots. Plus, winter weather is normally wet, and a wet, soggy lawn is in no condition to be mowed. You could damage your lawn quite significantly by doing so. The best advice is to wait until spring for your lawn to emerge from its long winter nap before you get back on your mower.
The lesson here is that while a slight uptick in the temperature may cause your grass to grow, you need to look the other way until spring rolls around again. Be strong, you can do it.
