What's the ideal mowing height before winter?

Fall lawn care requires specific adjustments to the mowing height in the weeks before winter. For cool-season grasses, such as fescue and ryegrass, you can slowly lower the mower blades to a height of 2.5-3 inches. If you cut the grass lower than 2 inches, crown tissue is more vulnerable to frost damage. I've repaired a lawn in the historic district of Columbia that lost about 30% of the crowns in a small fescue yard due to scalp mowing. Grass that is allowed to grow taller provides better insulation to the roots during freeze-thaw cycles.

The one-third rule protects against stress. If more than one-third of the blade length is cut off, plants are shocked before winter. Always cut with a sharp mower blade; dull blades tear the grass and could lead to disease. An Ohio client doubled the survival rate of her turfgrass by changing her blades before the last mow of the season.

Locations with high snow events will need special care. During heavy snow situations, the recommendation is to leave the grass at 3.5 inches. Longer-height grass will keep the matting and snow mold from occurring. I had a customer in Colorado who was able to avoid bald spots in the spring because he left the taller grass after an 18-inch heavy freeze compacted his turf.

Read the full article: 10 Expert Fall Lawn Care Strategies for a Lush Yard