When to Stop Mowing Your Lawn

Knowing when to stop mowing for winter is just as important as knowing when to start in spring. Stop too early and your lawn goes into winter untidy. Continue too late and you risk damaging grass when it should be dormant. Here’s how to judge the right time.

The Simple Answer

Stop mowing when grass stops growing. This sounds obvious, but it’s the fundamental principle. Grass doesn’t follow a calendar, it responds to temperature and daylight.

In most of the UK, this means the last mow typically falls somewhere between late October and early December, depending on your location and the weather that year. Southern gardens often need mowing later than northern ones.

Mild autumns extend the season. Cold snaps end it early. Watch your grass rather than the date.

Signs Growth Has Stopped

The clearest sign is that grass simply isn’t getting any longer between mows. If two weeks pass without noticeable growth, the season is effectively over.

Grass colour changes as growth slows. The vibrant green of active growth fades to a duller, more muted tone. This isn’t a problem, just the grass preparing for dormancy.

Soil temperature is the key driver. When soil temperature drops below about 5°C, grass roots become inactive and top growth stops. This usually happens after several consecutive frosts.

The Last Mow of the Season

Your final cut should leave the lawn tidy but not scalped. Aim for a slightly higher cut than normal summer mowing, around 30-40mm for most lawns.

Leaving grass slightly longer provides better protection against winter weather. The extra leaf helps insulate the crown of the plant where new growth will emerge in spring.

Remove fallen leaves before this final cut. Leaves left on the lawn over winter smother grass and encourage disease. A mow with the box on collects both grass clippings and leaf debris efficiently.

When NOT to Mow

Even if grass is still growing slightly, there are conditions where you should leave the mower in the shed.

Never mow frozen grass. Walking on frosty lawns damages the frozen cell walls in grass blades, leaving brown footprints and mower tracks that won’t recover until spring. Wait until frost has completely thawed before considering mowing.

Avoid mowing waterlogged lawns. Winter soil is often saturated, and mowing wet ground causes compaction, ruts, and damage to grass roots. If your footprints leave visible impressions in soggy soil, it’s too wet to mow.

Snow on the lawn is an obvious signal to stop. Don’t attempt to mow snow-covered grass under any circumstances.

Mild Winter Mowing

In mild winters, particularly in southern and coastal areas, grass may continue growing slowly throughout winter. A light cut on dry, frost-free days is fine if genuinely needed.

Keep the mower on a high setting for any winter cuts. You’re just tidying rather than serious mowing. Once a month or less is typical for mild winter maintenance.

Only mow if three conditions are met: the grass is actively growing, the ground is firm (not waterlogged), and there’s no frost. If any condition isn’t met, leave it alone.

Regional Differences

Scotland and northern England typically stop mowing earlier than southern regions. Higher altitude gardens also finish sooner than lowland areas.

Coastal gardens benefit from milder temperatures and may need occasional winter mowing when inland gardens have long since stopped.

Urban gardens surrounded by buildings often stay warmer than rural ones, potentially extending the mowing season slightly.

Your local microclimate matters more than regional averages. A sheltered south-facing garden mows longer than an exposed north-facing one in the same postcode.

Preparing Your Mower for Storage

Once you’ve made the final cut, prepare your mower for its winter rest. Proper storage prevents problems when you need it in spring.

Clean the mower thoroughly, removing grass clippings from the deck, blades, and air filter. Dried grass left over winter attracts moisture and causes corrosion.

For petrol mowers, either run the tank dry or add fuel stabiliser. Stale petrol causes starting problems. Check oil levels and consider an oil change if due.

For electric and battery mowers, charge batteries fully before storage. Store in a dry location away from extreme cold.

Sharpen or replace blades now rather than in spring when everyone else is trying to get lawn equipment serviced.

What to Do Instead of Mowing

Winter isn’t dead time for lawn care. While mowing stops, other tasks keep your lawn in good condition.

Clear fallen leaves regularly. Leaves left on grass block light and trap moisture, encouraging disease and moss. Our autumn lawn care guide covers this in detail.

Address any drainage issues while you can see where water collects. Improving waterlogged areas now prevents winter damage.

Stay off the lawn when it’s frozen or waterlogged. Traffic on vulnerable grass causes lasting damage.

Starting Again in Spring

Knowing when to start mowing again requires the same observation skills. Watch for signs of active growth: greening grass, increased length, warmer soil.

The first cut of spring, typically late February to April depending on conditions, should be light. Set the mower high and just top the grass. Gradually lower the cutting height over subsequent mows.

Our spring lawn care guide covers getting the season started right.

The Winter Care Summary

Stop mowing when grass stops growing, which is typically November in most UK areas. Make your final cut slightly higher than usual. Avoid mowing frozen, waterlogged, or snow-covered lawns.

During mild spells, a light cut is acceptable if ground conditions allow. Prepare your mower for storage, maintain the lawn through leaf clearance and drainage work, and watch for spring growth signals to start again.