Is It Better to Leave Your Lawn Long or Short for Winter?

With winter right around the corner, it’s important to know what you’re supposed to do with your lawn. Some people let it grow all season without one lawnmower session, while others stick to their weekly mowing routine. So, what’s the best option for cutting grass during the winter?

It is better to leave your lawn short for the winter between 2 to 2.5 inches. Your lawn can overgrow and be harder to manage. Cut your lawn twice per month to maintain the length since it grows slower during winter. Grass needs to be short enough to prevent the blades from breaking when it’s cold.

You’ll soon learn how to cut your lawn during the winter, how often you should do it, and tips to winterize your lawn when the seasons change. We’ll also explain when you might want to stop cutting the lawn during the winter (some conditions can change the results!).

Should You Cut Your Lawn in the Winter?

You should cut your lawn to 2 to 2.5 inches short in the winter. If the grass is too long, it’ll trap moisture and grow mold. If it’s too short, it’ll become brittle and clump apart from the rain and snow. Make sure you remove all of the weeds from the lawn before mowing it.

Another tip is to use a weed wacker around the edges when the grass is cold. This prevents it from fraying outward from a lawnmower, making it look much better. Use the grass clippings for mulch or compost to fertilize the new grass seed in the spring.

When Should I Stop Cutting My Grass for Winter?

You should stop cutting your grass for winter if it gets too patchy or brown, the blades are frozen and breaking, or if you want to switch to sod the following spring. It’s never a good idea to completely stop cutting the grass for any season because it’ll always need maintenance.

Consider these three scenarios in which you might want to stop cutting your grass for winter:

1. If your lawn is patchy and won’t grow, stop cutting it for a few weeks or a couple of months. Patchy lawns need grass seeds, not more cutting! Give it a break for a little while until the new grass seeds and fertilizer work their magic and start sprouting.
2. If the grass blades break because winter has made them frozen, give the mowing a break. Some places are far too cold for consistent mowing. The grass likely won’t sprout above the previously mentioned length recommendation, anyways. If there’s frost on the blades around the clock, it probably won’t grow too much.
3. If you want to reseed or sod your lawn in the spring, you can let the lawn go for a little while. There’s no point in cutting your lawn too often if you’re doing a major overhaul. However, if it looks too long or it’s trapping mold or mildew, you should cut it every so often.

Is It Okay to Cut Grass in Cold Weather?

It is okay to cut grass in cold weather if it’s not frozen or wet. If the grass is too tender, it’ll rip out in chunks or fall apart. Wait until the grass is dry and above 40 degrees Fahrenheit, then mow it. Snow and rain can trap moisture below the grass and lead to mold or mildew.

Keep these suggestions in mind before cutting grass in cold weather:

• Ensure the grass isn’t wet or frozen before mowing in cold weather. According to Timberline Landscaping, frozen, wet grass is often too tender to mow. Your lawnmower could pull the grass blades out of the ground, creating patches and dirt spots all over the place.
• You can cut your lawn as long as its warmer than 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4.4 degrees Celsius). The grass blades can freeze and break if you cut them when they’re too cold. If it’s not too cold outside, they’re good to mow. As a general rule of thumb, don’t mow your lawn if it has frost on it.
• It’s best to cut your lawn before a snow storm to prevent the snow from growing mold while harboring moisture beneathe the grass. A long lawn will make it easy for snow and hail to pile up and lead to a long clean up. Cutting the grass before the storm is the easiest way to keep the grass in good condition.
• If your lawn is always wet from rain or snow, consider cutting it about half an inch higher than usual. While the previous tip remains true, cutting a soaked, frozen lawn is worse. Let it grow to about 2.5 to 3 inches until it dries up, then cut it down to the aforementioned 2 to 2.5 inches.

Those living in cold climates should wait to cut their grass until the sun is shining on it. This will ensure the grass blades aren’t too cold or wet, and it also makes it easier for you to manage!

How Do I Winterize My Lawn?

To winterize your lawn, start by removing all of the weeds in the grass, aerating the soil, and adding fresh fertilizer or compost. Use winter grass seed to cover patchy areas and keep the lawn mowed to about 2.5 inches throughout the season. You might have to mow the lawn once or twice per month to keep it maintained.

Here’s the detailed five-step process:

1. Remove all of the weeds from your lawn and garden. Bob Vila explains removing the weeds frees soil, oxygen, and nutrients for the grass seed you’ll plant later in the lawn winterizing process. Weeds absorb everything your grass needs to grow, so it’s important to get rid of them (especially if you’re planting grass seeds in the winter).
2. Aerate the soil if it’s patchy, then add fertilizer. Adding oxygen to the soil will refreshen it and make it much easier for new grass to lay its roots. Topping it off with water and fertilizer will keep your lawn vibrant, even during the driest winter months.
3. Spread grass seed throughout the lawn to counteract the potentially dying grass. If you notice brown patches, you can rake the grass using the tips from another article on Lawn Care Lessons. Nobody wants to deal with a patchy lawn. It’s best to plant your grass seed before spring so it has time to root and grow.
4. Choose the best winter grass for the local climate. There are many different types of grass, many of which aren’t ideal for colder months. Most of the grass found in lawns is warm-weather grass, which means it prefers temperatures over 75 degrees Fahrenheit (23.8 Celsius).
5. Mow the lawn to 2.5 inches throughout the winter, maintaining it whenever necessary. Some people only have to mow their lawn once per month in the winter; Others might have to mow their lawn two or three times. Sunshine, rain, and many other factors will determine how often you have to mow the grass when it’s cold.

Winter isn’t the time to let your lawn go to waste. The grass needs to be maintained throughout the year, but there’s no denying that it’s much easier to take care of most lawns when it’s cold outside.

Final Thoughts

Winter lawn maintenance is significantly easier than cutting the lawn in the spring and summer. If you notice patches in your grass, now is the time to open a bag of grass seed and consider overseeing. It’s easy to grow a lawn right before spring because the roots settle and absorb nutrients and water.