Not Mowing Your Grass During the Winter

lawnYou’ve probably heard experienced lawn care experts recommend suspending mowing during the winter season. What science underlies this advice? Why not cut your grass at this time of year?

Dormancy: An Important Rest Period

Most grasses continue growing very slowly during the winter. However, just like trees, grass plants react to the marked change in environmental conditions during colder months of the year. They experience a period of dormancy in which their rate of growth slows down significantly. The plant instead directs energy towards its root system.

Every time you cut back a growing plant (including grasses), you cause some degree of physical stress. While verdant lawns sustain regular mowing during warmer seasons, the consequences of cutting grass plants during cold months may prove fatal. Just as you would not want to prune a tree too heavily, it remains a wise precaution to avoid imposing a lot of unnecessary stress on your lawn during bitterly chill periods of the year. Grass simply does not grow at a rapid pace during colder months.