How tall should the grass be on a lawn leaving it for the winter?

Depends on where you live. This makes all the difference in the world. I usually mow my lawn when I have to wear a jacket and hat and all the leaves have fallen off the trees. I mow the regular height that I've mowed all summer long.

I live where the winters can be quite cold. Here it's recommended to leave the grass longer than normal for the winter. Not real long, but just make the last mow up a notch or two.

Do we have a Lawn Maintenance Expert? I'd love to know some specifics about autumn lawn care, for example: seeding, fertilizer (weed and feed OK?), liming, etc.

Yes, there's a couple here. In my area we have mostly Kentucky bluegrass and the winters are harsh. Around here we do the last weed & feed in September then in November we do a fertilizer only - high in nitrogen - as the "winter food".

That would probably work for me too though I am a little further north than you. I have some patches killed by now-defunct chinch bugs, I wonder if now is a good time to seed those patches.

Now is good AS LONG AS it's not still super hot and dry. We just broke out of our super hot and dry time so I'm doing patching now.

Of course water it a bit every day...

Merci Rick!

Bitte ;)

I agree with Rick, now is a good time but another few weeks maybe even better. We are still gtting dry 88 degrees in Chicago so seeding would need a daily light sprinkle. I have some areas that need over seeding but will wait until Octoberanything that does not germanate then with sprout in the spring. Leaving you grass a bit longer will provide some wind burn protection for the folks in frigidland like me.

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Originally Posted by martina59

How tall should the grass be on a lawn leaving it for the winter?

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Grass should be cut a 1/2 inch lower than the lowest ideal height for the particular grass. This will ensure the dormant grass is not harmed from snow mold, which may happen if the grass is longer than ideal.