Over winter, cool mornings and a drop in temperatures will cause your lawn to grow slower. But why does your lawns growth slow, and does it mean that we can stop mowing our lawns completely over winter? In this blog, we take a look…
Skip to: Why Does My Lawn Grow Slower Over Winter? Do I Still Need to Mow Regularly Over Winter? Should I Change My Mowing Height Over Winter? Winter Mower Maintenance Checklist
Why Does My Lawn Grow Slower Over Winter?
Warm season grasses like Buffalo, Couch, Kikuyu and Zoysia will start to slow in growth as average soil temperatures drop below 14 degrees Celsius and will enter a certain level of dormancy. This process occurs as a protection method against harsh winter conditions.
While this occurs, it is common for your lawn to grow at a much slower rate and experience some colour loss as the grass conserves its energy.
Cooler states like Victoria and South Australia, which experience harsher winters, are more likely to see lawns enter winter dormancy. In warmer regions such as Northern NSW and Queensland, lawns typically won’t experience dormancy to the same extent.
Do I Still Need to Mow Regularly Over Winter?
The answer depends entirely on how much growth you’re seeing. We still recommend following the one-third rule: never removing more than one-third of the leaf blade in a single mow.
As growth has slowed, you won’t need to mow nearly as often as you do in summer. However, if there is still active growth, you should still get the mower out every few weeks to keep the lawn tidy and healthy.
Should I Change My Mowing Height Over Winter?
During the cooler months, it is best to raise your mowing height by a notch or two. A slightly longer leaf allows the grass to better absorb the limited available sunlight and helps the plant retain nutrients throughout the season.
Winter Mower Maintenance Checklist
While your lawn has slowed in growth, now is a great time to ensure your mower is up to speed. A good guide of things to check includes your mowers oil, air filter, spark plug, clean mowing deck, check mower blades and lubricate. We have some further tips on how to do each of these steps here.
For more lawn care tips and advice, make sure you check out our other lawn care blogs here.
