How Often Should you Mow Your Lawn? A seasonal guide for homeowners
Mowing your lawn may seem like a simple task, but timing and frequency are essential to keeping your grass healthy, resilient, and attractive throughout the year. Too often, and you risk stressing your grass. Not often enough, and your lawn can become overgrown, patchy, or prone to pests.
So, how often should you mow? The answer depends on the season, your grass type, and how quickly your lawn grows. This guide will help you determine the right mowing frequency for every time of year.
Spring: Establishing a strong foundation
Frequency: Once a week (or more during peak growth)
Spring marks the beginning of the active growing season for most lawns. As temperatures rise and soil warms, grass begins to grow rapidly. It’s important to start mowing regularly to encourage thick, healthy growth and discourage weeds.
Tips
Don’t cut more than one-third of the grass blade in a single mow.
Make sure your mower blades are sharpened at the start of the season.
Mow when the grass is dry to ensure clean, even cuts.
Summer: Managing Growth and Heat Stress
Frequency: Once every 5–7 days (cool-season grasses); every 4–6 days (warm-season grasses)
In summer, maintaining a healthy mowing schedule is crucial, especially as grass becomes more vulnerable to heat and drought. Mowing too short or too often can stress your lawn and leave it susceptible to disease.
Tips:
Raise your mower height to keep grass slightly taller (2.5"–3.5") to shade the soil.
Avoid mowing during the hottest part of the day; early morning or late afternoon is best.
Skip mowing during extended dry periods unless growth resumes
Fall: Preparing for Dormanc
Frequency: Every 7–10 days
Fall is a great time for lawn recovery. Grass continues to grow, though more slowly, and builds up energy for the winter. Regular mowing helps keep the lawn neat while encouraging root development.
Tips:
Continue mowing until growth stops, usually after the first frost.
Gradually reduce your cutting height toward the final mow of the season.
Keep leaves off the lawn to avoid smothering the grass.
Winter: Let Nature Rest
Frequency: Rarely (if at all)
In most regions, lawns go dormant in winter and stop growing. Mowing is generally unnecessary unless you live in a warmer climate where growth continues year-round.
Tips:
If mowing is needed, keep the cut high and avoid mowing when the ground is frozen or wet.
Store your mower properly and perform off-season maintenance.
Additional Considerations
Grass Type: Cool-season grasses (like Kentucky bluegrass or fescue) grow faster in spring and fall. Warm-season grasses (like Bermuda or zoysia) peak in summer.
Growth Rate: Adjust your schedule based on rainfall, fertilizer use, and sunlight.
Mower Maintenance: Dull blades tear grass instead of cutting it, increasing disease risk.