The best time to stop mowing your lawn is when the grass stops growing and enters dormancy, which depends largely on the type of grass and local temperatures. For cool-season grasses, stop mowing once air temperatures consistently drop below about 50°F, while for warm-season grasses, stop when temperatures stay below about 60°F. Generally, this is around late October to early November in many regions, typically about a week before the first frost. It is important to do a last mow just before the lawn enters winter dormancy, ideally cutting grass shorter to prevent matting and fungal diseases during winter. Also, avoid mowing after the fall fertilization to not disrupt root growth for winter survival.
Key Guidelines:
- Stop mowing warm-season grasses when temperatures are consistently below 60°F.
- Stop mowing cool-season grasses when temperatures drop below 50°F.
- The "last cut" should be about a week before the first frost.
- Cut grass shorter on the last mow (e.g., 1.5 to 2 inches depending on grass type) to prevent winter diseases and matting.
- Avoid mowing after applying fall fertilizer to allow roots to grow and strengthen.
- Continue to monitor weather as a warm spell can cause grass to grow again, requiring another mow before winter fully sets in.
Stopping mowing too early or too late can harm the lawn's health and its ability to thrive next spring, so timing based on grass growth and temperature is the best indicator.
