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Autumn Mowing Heights

Lawn Mowing in Autumn

As autumn arrives and the weather cools, adjusting your mowing practices is vital to help your lawn transition smoothly into the cooler months. Correctly setting your mowing height during this time can strengthen your lawn's roots, reduce stress on the grass, and prepare it for winter.

In the video below, you'll find expert tips on how to mow your lawn in autumn in Melbourne. This includes the ideal mowing height for different grass types and best practices for maintaining a healthy lawn throughout the season.

Why Mowing Height Matters in Autumn

Adjusting your mowing height becomes crucial for maintaining a healthy lawn as the weather cools in autumn. The correct mowing height helps your lawn conserve energy, leading to more robust root development and reducing the stress on the grass as it prepares for winter dormancy. Cutting your lawn too short during this season can weaken the grass, leaving it vulnerable to weeds, diseases, and frost damage.

Raising your mower height allows your lawn to hold onto more moisture and nutrients, giving it the best chance to thrive through the cooler months. This is especially important for warm-season grasses like kikuyu and buffalo, which naturally slow their growth as temperatures drop, and cool-season grasses like tall fescue, which continue to grow slowly.

By adjusting your mowing height based on your lawn’s specific grass type, you can protect it from the seasonal shift and keep it healthy as the cooler months approach.

Ideal Mowing Heights for Different Grass Types

Mowing height significantly affects how well your lawn will handle the changing seasons. Adjusting the mowing height based on your grass type helps preserve moisture and protect the roots during autumn as growth slows. 

• Warm-season grasses like Bermuda and Kikuyu benefit from slightly higher mowing heights to prepare for winter dormancy.
• Cool-season grasses such as tall fescue may still grow but should also be cut higher to protect against cooler weather and frost.

Following these recommended mowing heights will help your lawn store energy, maintain moisture, and ensure strong root development throughout the cooler months.

Mowing Frequency During Autumn

As temperatures cool, your lawn’s growth rate will begin to slow down, meaning you won’t need to mow as frequently as you did during summer. Following these steps will help you determine the right mowing schedule for autumn:

Step 1: Adjust Mowing Frequency as Growth Slows

• Mow your lawn less frequently in autumn, typically every 2-3 weeks, depending on the growth rate of your grass.
• The growth will slow significantly for warm-season grasses, so mowing may be needed even less often.
• Cool-season grasses will continue to grow at a reduced pace but still require regular mowing.

Step 2: Avoid Mowing When the Grass is Damp

Always mow when the grass is dry. Avoid mowing in the early morning or late evening when the grass is likely wet from dew or condensation, as wet grass can lead to clumping and uneven cuts.

Step 3: Monitor the Grass for Signs It Needs Mowing

Keep an eye out for tell-tale signs that your lawn needs mowing, such as:

• Excessive leaf blade length.
• Grass starting to lean or bend over.
• Uneven patches developing due to inconsistent growth.

Following these steps ensures that your lawn remains healthy and well-maintained throughout the autumn without over-stressing the grass.

Best Practices for Autumn Mowing

To keep your lawn healthy as the seasons change, follow these best practices for mowing during autumn:

• Raise mower height as temperatures drop to protect your lawn from the cooler weather and encourage strong root growth.
• Always mow with sharp blades to ensure a clean cut and avoid tearing the leaf blades, leaving your grass more vulnerable to disease.
• Remove any fallen leaves from the lawn to prevent them from smothering the grass and blocking sunlight.
• Don’t cut over one-third of the grass height in a single mow, as cutting too much can stress the grass and weaken its ability to recover.
• Adjust your mower settings based on your specific lawn type, whether you have warm or cool grasses, to provide the best care as the weather changes.

Autumn Lawn Care Tips Beyond Mowing

While mowing is crucial during autumn, other essential tasks will help your lawn prepare for the cooler months. Here’s a comparison of autumn lawn care tasks that go beyond just mowing:

Prepare Your Lawn for Cooler Months with Proper Autumn Mowing Heights

Adjusting your autumn mowing heights is a simple yet effective way to set your lawn up for success as the cooler months approach. Raising your mower height, reducing mowing frequency, and following best practices will help your lawn store energy, develop stronger roots, and stay healthy throughout autumn and winter.

Be sure to watch the video above for more expert tips on autumn mowing and maintaining a healthy lawn. To explore even more lawn care advice and turf solutions, contact Lilydale Instant Lawn.