When to Stop Mowing your Lawn in the Florida Fall

You should stop mowing in the fall once your grass enters a state of dormancy, which is triggered when soil temperatures drop below 65°F and air temperatures consistently hit 50°F or lower at night.  For North and Central Florida residents, this transition usually occurs in the window between Thanksgiving and mid-December.

The Science of Florida Grass Dormancy

To understand when to stop mowing, one must first understand that Florida lawns do not follow the same rules as the “cool-season” grasses found in the North. We primarily deal with warm-season grasses: St. Augustine, Bermuda, Zoysia, and Bahia.

Unlike Kentucky Bluegrass, which might go dormant in October, Florida grasses are incredibly resilient to heat but sensitive to the shortening of days. As we move into late October and November, the “photoperiod” (the amount of daylight) decreases. 

This signals the plant to stop putting energy into vertical leaf growth and start storing carbohydrates in the rhizomes and stolons (the root-like runners).

If you continue to mow aggressively during this slowdown, you are essentially “bleeding” the plant of the energy it needs to survive the winter. This is why having a precision machine (give us a call at Lane’s Yardware) is vital: You need the ability to adjust deck heights accurately to match the slowing growth rate!

A Step-by-Step Guide

Stopping your mowing routine is a gradual process that will make sure your lawn remains healthy enough to recover quickly in March! Here’s a step-by-step guide to that process, from our experts to you:

• October’s Height Adjustment

As soon as you notice you aren’t emptying your mower bag as often, or the grass isn’t hitting your ankles every Saturday, raise your mower blades! 

If you usually mow at 3 inches, move up to 3.5 inches. Longer blades allow for more surface area for your grass to heal during the weakening autumn sun.

• The Clean-Up Mow (Early November)

Use this time to mulch fallen leaves. Rather than raking, use a high-mulching kit to shred leaves into tiny pieces. These shredded leaves provide free organic nitrogen to your soil, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers.

• Final Cut (Late Nov/Early Dec)

The final cut should be your cleanest cut of the year. Ensure your blades are razor-sharp, as a dull blade at the end of the season creates “shaggy” ends that are susceptible to Large Patch (Brown Patch) fungus, a common winter plague in Williston and surrounding Florida areas.

Keeping your lawn healthy headed into Winter is crucial!

• Equipment Winterization

Once the grass is dormant, it is time for the postseason physical:

• Drain the fuel or add a stabilizer.
• Clean the underside of the deck to prevent rust.

Proper Timing Prevents “Winter Kill” 

According to the University of Florida IFAS Extension, mowing too short late in the season is a leading cause of “winter kill.” When you scalp the lawn in November, you remove the protective canopy that shields the “crown” of the grass plant.

“Maintaining a slightly higher mowed height in the fall encourages deeper rooting, which provides the turf with better access to water and nutrients during the dry winter months.” — Dr. Bryan Unruh, UF/IFAS Turfgrass Specialist.

If the crown of the grass is exposed to frost (which we do get in Williston!), the plant may die completely rather than just going dormant. This results in those unsightly brown patches in the spring that require expensive re-sodding.

Lane’s Yardware is Your Fall Go-To!

Navigating the transition from the scorching Florida summer to the cooler winter months requires the right partnership – you don’t have to go it alone! 

At Lane’s Yardware, we have spent decades helping the residents of Williston and the greater Florida area maintain the perfect lawn. Our varied selection of machines, as well as flexible financing to allow you to purchase on your terms, is unmatched on the local scene.

We’re easy to find – located at 19 E Noble Ave, Williston, FL 32696 – and have experts waiting to answer any and every question you may have! Whether you’re looking to trade in your old mower for a brand-new Gravely or you just need a reliable service team to get your current machine in top shape, Lane’s Yardware is here to help.

Stop by our Williston location today and experience the difference that high-quality service and top-tier brands can make for your Florida lawn! Call Now!