Winter is coming, and you’re getting set to mow your lawn the final time. For many people, that means dropping the blade height down and giving your yard a final, close cut. This tradition of close-cropping your turf for the winter is actually detrimental to its health. Knowing how low to cut your lawn for the winter is essential for a healthy spring.
Although it doesn’t grow in the winter, your turf isn’t exactly dormant. It uses its leaves to soak up the large amount of winter sun Colorado receives and store energy for spring. Cutting your grass too short robs it of its ability to store energy all winter. If you’re really overzealous and scalp it, you may expose its roots to the cold over the winter.
How Low to Cut Your Lawn for the Winter
So should you drop your blade for your final mow before winter? Not any lower than you cut it throughout the rest of the year. For most lawns, that’s about 2.75-3 inches tall.
That three-inch sweet spot is the perfect length to mow for many reasons. Most importantly, it’s long enough to shade the plant’s roots during the summer. With our semi-arid climate and blistering sun, any relief you can provide your turf in the summer will help it use less water, stay greener and be healthier.
Cut your turf much higher than three inches, though, and it will start getting too long between mowings. Grass that’s longer than four inches often starts to lay over on itself, which can be difficult to mow, while promoting disease.
If you use a mulching mower, take advantage of its mulching capabilities to break down leaves. Mulched leaves are a natural source of nutrients for a lawn in the spring, and when mulched properly, break down easily through the winter.
