Key Takeaways
Optimal lawn pre-winter care includes:- Overseeding and Aeration: Enhances root health and prepares the lawn for spring.
- Proper Mowing: Gradual height reduction prevents disease and damage during winter.
- Cleanup: Removing debris and leaves prevents disease and keeps the lawn healthy.
- Mower Maintenance: Preparing your mower for winter ensures it's ready for spring.
During the warm spring and summer months, most of us mow our lawns weekly to keep them healthy and looking their best. But as we approach the end of fall, we must ask ourselves, when is the last time to mow the grass before winter?
First Things First, Overseed And Aerate.
Give your grass a head start on growing healthy roots this fall by scattering grass seed in the fall. This is called “overseeding.” Overseeding allows the seeds time to germinate and grow before winter sets in, ensuring a robust lawn come springtime.
Fall is also the perfect time to aerate and fertilize your lawn to ensure its optimum health and look heading into the new growing season. By fertilizing your lawn in the fall, you are helping to provide nutrients that will help support a healthy lawn throughout the winter months. Look for a fertilizer that is high in phosphate and potash (and low in nitrogen). This helps to encourage healthy root development throughout the winter months.
When Does Grass Stop Growing?
The growth of grass diminishes as the temperature falls below 40-50 degrees Fahrenheit. Here in the Reno/Sparks area, where we use cool-season grasses such as fescues and Kentucky bluegrass, the top growth stops growing in the cold winter months, but the roots continue growing.
Should You Cut Your Grass Before Winter?
Cutting your grass throughout the fall season can help to prevent diseases, attract less debris, and lower the potential of having snow mold.
To ensure a healthy lawn during the winter months, reduce the height of your mower blades by small increments every time you mow in the fall. This will keep the lawn at a grass height of 2 and 3 inches in winter.
Stop mowing the lawn when the temperatures drop below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Snow and ice will create moisture which can lead to lawn damage.
As winter arrives, you may still need to mow the grass if you see new growth. Be sure that all frost has disappeared, there is no snow, and that you mow at the warmest time of the day.
Remember To Clean Up Your Yard.
Fall yard cleanup is vital to maintain a healthy lawn. Leaves and other debris left on your grass under snow can create disease. Avoid this by cleaning your yard throughout Fall and winter. Bag up fallen leaves and debris before snow and frost arrive.
Don’t Forget About Your Lawn Mower.
Before putting your lawnmower away for the winter, perform regular maintenance steps. Keep your lawnmower running in tip-top shape by regularly performing tune-ups. Inspect for damaged parts, install new spark plugs, change the oil, empty the gas tank and sharpen the blades.
When springtime comes, you will be glad you took the time to maintain your lawnmower.
Call In The Experts.
When preparing for winter, we know how much time and energy it takes. Fall lawn cleanup work and raking leaves are both back-breaking and time-consuming.
The lawn care experts at Cory’s Lawn Service will care for your entire yard by removing debris, dead leaves, and seasonal obstructions from all areas. We also prune those overgrown shrubs, manicure and detail areas, or cut hedges. This will help to improve your curb appeal.
We even customize our leaf removal services based on your specific yard size and the time and materials needed. We’ll tackle everything long before the ground freezes. Contact us today.