Extension

While the vibrant colors of summer quietly fade away, the fall colors are shining through. Now is the time of year when lawns slip into dormancy. But, homeowners who have a cool-season lawn may notice the grass is still growing, so it’s not quite time to put the lawnmower away for the season.

 

Warm-season turfgrass species, such as Bermuda and zoysia, have likely stopped growing for the season, but cool-season lawns, consisting of Kentucky bluegrass, fescue, and perennial ryegrass, will continue to grow. Homeowners should continue to mow as needed throughout the fall, winter and early spring. This not only helps keep the lawn looking tidy but also stimulates the breaking of dormant lateral buds, leading to increased shoot density and a denser, more lush lawn.

 

The best rule of thumb for mowing timing is to cut no more than one-third of the grass blade at a time. For example, if the mower is set at a 2-inch cut, then the grass should be cut when most of the grass canopy reaches a height of 3 inches.

 

Leaf management is another consideration for homeowners in the fall. Excessive fallen leaves can be a problem for cool-season lawns. This is the time of year when trees drop their leaves. While a light layer of leaf litter won’t harm the grass, a thick blanket can be an issue. Cool-season grass continues to grow and requires continued conversion of light and air into food for optimal growth. A heavy layer of leaves blocks that light and can smother the turf.

 

To keep the lawn healthy, either rake and compost the leaves or mulch them with the mower. Mowing the leaves breaks them into small pieces that will decompose naturally, returning nutrients to the soil over time.

 

Although most other gardening activities have slowed down or even stopped, it’s important for homeowners to continue nurturing their cool-season lawns.