Fall-Winter Residential Turf mowing height - Ask Extension
Per MSU recommendations, my normal cutting height is 3.5". I'm in Dearborn Heights 48127, and have a combination (not homogenous) of KBG, TTF, an...
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Fall-Winter Residential Turf mowing height #852899
Asked October 11, 2023, 5:32 PM EDT
Per MSU recommendations, my normal cutting height is 3.5". I'm in Dearborn Heights 48127, and have a combination (not homogenous) of KBG, TTF, and K31 and other cool season grasses in my healthy lawn.
I often have snow mold, over the winter, along with matted grass where the taller grasses especially near the road verge.
Should I be cutting the grass slightly lower leading up to winter? What is the recommended fall winter mowing height? My mower adjustments are ~ 1/2".
Wayne County Michigan
Expert Response
I must complement you on having a higher mowing height for your lawn during the growing season. A taller lawn in late fall and over the winter as well as late fertilization (pushing late season growth) can contribute to snow mold problems. It is OK to reduce the mowing height toward the end of the growing season. I typically drop my mowing height from 3.5" to 2.5"-2.75" over the last 2 mowings (my last mowing is around Thanksgiving in Genesee Co.).
I recommend doing a soil test if one hasn't been done in the past 2 years. Knowing the type and fertility of your soil is the starting point to establishing & maintaining a strong turf that can resist diseases, weeds, moss and insects/grubs, look great and at an optimal cost. More info here: Don't Guess-Soil Test-MSU and MSU Home Soil Test-self mailer Do this for next year's use.
Links to helpful info:
Mowing Lawn Turf (E0013TURF) - MSU
Why Mow High-MSU
https://web.extension.illinois.edu/lawntalk/planting/guidelines_for_mowing_lawns.cfm
Fall/Dormant Turf Fertilization-MSU
Lawn Mgmt. thru the Seasons-PSU
Other actions to reduce the possibility of snow mold include:
a) only moderate nitrogen application in the fall (maybe 0.5# N per 1000 sq ft max) and have a minimum 50% slow release nitrogen content
b) maintain a lower soil pH (5.7-6.3) and balance soil fertility (think soil test...)
c) prevent snow compaction over the lawn, use snow fences to prevent drifting, remove snow, melt snow with darkening agents such as compost
I recommend doing a soil test if one hasn't been done in the past 2 years. Knowing the type and fertility of your soil is the starting point to establishing & maintaining a strong turf that can resist diseases, weeds, moss and insects/grubs, look great and at an optimal cost. More info here: Don't Guess-Soil Test-MSU and MSU Home Soil Test-self mailer Do this for next year's use.
Links to helpful info:
Mowing Lawn Turf (E0013TURF) - MSU
Why Mow High-MSU
https://web.extension.illinois.edu/lawntalk/planting/guidelines_for_mowing_lawns.cfm
Fall/Dormant Turf Fertilization-MSU
Lawn Mgmt. thru the Seasons-PSU
Other actions to reduce the possibility of snow mold include:
a) only moderate nitrogen application in the fall (maybe 0.5# N per 1000 sq ft max) and have a minimum 50% slow release nitrogen content
b) maintain a lower soil pH (5.7-6.3) and balance soil fertility (think soil test...)
c) prevent snow compaction over the lawn, use snow fences to prevent drifting, remove snow, melt snow with darkening agents such as compost
