As the growing season comes to an end here in North Carolina, it's time to start thinking about the last mow. The last mow of the season should be done around the end of December when your grass has stopped actively growing. You'll want to mow your lawn about 1/2 an inch shorter than usual to prepare it for the winter. If you keep your lawn too long, it can become matted and trap moisture underneath, creating an ideal environment for diseases. On the other hand, if you cut it too short, it can stress out your grass and leave it susceptible to issues and cold damage during the winter.

When should you perform the last mow of the season?

Worker on a red mower cutting leaf-covered grass in Charlotte, NC.

The last mow of the season should be performed when your grass has stopped growing and is about to enter dormancy. Here in North Carolina, that usually happens around the end of December. Your lawn redirects its focus on root development in preparation for winter, so mowing around this time will help it transition into the season at an optimal height. Additionally, it ensures it's done in time for dormancy so that it is in great shape and avoids any potential damage.

How short should you mow your lawn for the last time of the year?

When mowing your lawn for the last time of the year, you should mow it shorter than usual. It's recommended to mow your lawn about 1/2 an inch shorter than normal. By doing so, you'll be able to remove any excess grass without cutting it too short. You'll want to consider your turf type and its typical mowing height, then reduce it by 1/2. That way, it stays healthy and resilient against winter stress.

What happens if you keep your lawn too long or cut it too short during the last mow?

If you keep your lawn too long or cut it too short during the last mow of the season, there are negative consequences associated with both. If you keep your lawn too long, it can become matted and trap moisture underneath, creating an ideal environment for diseases to form. Additionally, it can also make your lawn look messy!

On the other hand, if you cut it too short, it can stress out your grass and leave it susceptible to issues and cold damage during the winter. To avoid these issues, you'll want to make sure that you mow your lawn to the correct height for the end of the season. By mowing your lawn to the correct height, you can help your grass enter winter in good shape and increase its chances of making it through the season without any issues.

If you cut your grass too short, it can expose the roots to cold temperatures, which can damage them!

Give us a call today to schedule our lawn mowing service.

At DalaCasa Landscape Management, we offer our lawn mowing service to keep your lawn looking neat and manicured throughout the growing season. We will mow your lawn regularly from March until December to ensure it stays in great shape. Not only that, but string-trimming, edging, and blowing debris off hard surfaces are also included in this service! With us, you can trust that we'll maintain the ideal grass length depending on your turf type, plus adjust it accordingly for the last mow of the season so it has the best chance of enduring winter dormancy.

We offer our lawn mowing service to residential and commercial property owners, as well as HOAs, in Charlotte, NC, and throughout the surrounding areas, including Waxhaw and Concord. It's also available to select locations in South Carolina! Give us a call at (704) 248-6294 to schedule our lawn mowing service today!