As fall approaches here in Ohio, it's time to start thinking about how you will prepare your lawn for the winter. One task you'll want to ensure you get done is to mow your lawn one last time before the first frost arrives. However, this specific mow shouldn't be done the same way as the other mows during the year. Generally, you should mow your lawn just a little shorter than normal before the first mow. However, don't mow it too short because that can stress out your grass and leave it susceptible to diseases. On the other hand, you shouldn't mow it too long either. That's because if the grass is too tall, it can become matted down, especially when snow falls on top of it, which can cause a host of problems, including leading to the formation of snow mold. By mowing your grass to just the right height before the first frost, you can help grass make it through the winter season in good condition.

Cut your grass a little shorter than normal before the first frost.

Before the first frost hits your lawn, you should cut your grass a little shorter than usual. However, you want to make sure that you don't go too short because you still need to leave some extra length for your grass to be able to survive the winter season ahead. When you mow your lawn at the proper height, your grass blades will be strong enough to endure the freezing temperatures, which are bound to occur during the winter.

What happens if you cut your grass too short before the first frost?

If you cut your grass too short before the first frost, you run the risk of damaging your lawn. That's because cutting your grass too short can put a lot of stress on your grass, and it might not have enough time to recover before the freezing temperatures arrive. This can leave your lawn susceptible to root damage, which can lead to parts of your grass dying. If this happens, you'll need to invest in costly lawn care services to help restore your lawn to full health once spring rolls around.

What happens if you cut your grass too long before the first frost?

While it's important that you don't mow your lawn too short before the first frost arrives, it's also important that you don't cut your grass too tall as well. If your grass is too tall as it heads into the winter season, it could lead to a host of issues. If it snows, and it will here in Ohio, the weight from the snow can cause your grass to become matted. When this happens, it can lead to fungi growth, likely in the form of snow mold. When spring arrives and the snow melts, you'll find your lawn covered in snow mold and it will take time for your lawn to recover. So, by keeping your lawn at the right height, you won't have to worry as much about diseases forming on your lawn over the winter.

Always follow the 1/3 rule when mowing a lawn, which entails never cutting more than 1/3 of a blade of grass during a single mow.

Give us a call today to sign up for our lawn mowing service.

At Hoffmans Lawn & Fertilization, we offer a lawn mowing service that includes weekly visits throughout the growing season. We follow best practices when mowing your lawn to ensure it stays healthy and beautiful throughout the year. Our team also takes great care to not cut your grass too short before the first frost. We offer our services to residential and commercial properties, as well as HOAs, in Delaware, Lewis Center, Powell, OH, and nearby areas. Give us a call today at (740) 318-5296 to sign up for our lawn mowing service!