Should You Cut Your Grass Short Before The First Frost? – Southern Living

Mary Marlowe Leverette is one of the industry’s most highly regarded housekeeping and fabric care experts, sharing her knowledge on efficient housekeeping and textile conservation. She is also a master gardener and an apple orchard owner with more than 50+ years of experience in vegetables, annuals, and perennials in the home garden as well as commercial crops.

I find lawn mowing just a necessary evil and prefer to turn my attention to other parts of the garden. So, if you pass my home on a cool October day, you may see my happy dance as I mow my lawn for the last time. I'm in Zone 8b with a centipede lawn that kindly sends up tiny little seed heads when it is ready to rest for the winter.

But before you stow the mower for good, it’s worth asking: how short should you actually cut your grass before the first frost? The answer depends on your grass type and local climate—and getting it right can mean a healthier, greener lawn come spring. Let’s take a closer look at the best mowing height and timing to prepare your lawn for the cold ahead.

Lawn grasses have spent the summer putting all of their energy into growing. They, especially warm-season grasses, are ready to slow down, but are still growing and require regular care. Cool-season grasses are just getting a second wind during cooler fall temperatures and won't go into dormancy until the first frost.

Fall mowing helps prepare the lawn for winter. The length of the grass can help protect the roots from freezing temperatures, control weeds, and prevent the spread of pests and fungi.

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