When to Stop Mowing Your Lawn in the Fall in Illinois
How to judge the last mow of the season in Lake County, what height to cut it, and why stopping in October is usually too early.
Homeowners usually put the mower away weeks before they should. The lawn keeps growing after the trees have turned, and those last few cuts matter more than the ones in June.
Growth, not the calendar
Cool season grass keeps growing as long as soil temperatures stay above roughly 50 degrees. Air temperature can be in the 40s while the soil holds warmth, so the grass is still working. In Lake County that usually means active growth into early or mid November, sometimes later in a mild fall.
The practical rule: if it needs cutting, cut it. When two weeks pass and the lawn has not visibly grown, you are done for the year.
The right height for the last cut
Aim for about two and a half inches on the final mow, down from the three to three and a half you held all summer. This is a balance, not a race to the bottom.
- Too long, and blades fold over under snow, holding moisture against the crowns and inviting snow mold.
- Too short, and you strip away the insulation the crowns need and expose them to cold and drying winter wind.
- Step down gradually over the last two or three mows rather than taking it all off at once.
Use those last mows on the leaves
During the final few cuts, run the mower over light leaf cover instead of raking it. The blade chops leaves fine enough that they break down over winter and feed the soil. This only works for a thin layer, though. If leaves are deep enough to hide the grass, they need to come off.
Related readingWhen to mulch leaves and when to remove themTidy up while you are out there
The last mow is a natural time to run the mower dry or add fuel stabilizer, clean the deck, and pull the blade for sharpening over winter so you are not waiting in line at the shop in April.
Our crews mow into November across Libertyville and Mundelein for exactly this reason. If you would rather hand off the tail end of the season, call or text 224-634-0673 or 224-200-8363.
Frequently asked questions
- When should I do my last mow of the year in Illinois?
- When the grass stops growing, which in Lake County is usually early to mid November rather than October. Cool season grass keeps growing while soil temperature stays above about 50 degrees, even when air temperatures are in the 40s.
- How short should the last cut of the season be?
- About two and a half inches, a modest step down from summer height. Longer than that mats under snow and encourages snow mold, while scalping below two inches exposes crowns to cold injury and winter desiccation.
- Can I mow leaves into the lawn instead of raking?
- Yes, for light leaf cover. Mowing chops leaves fine enough to decompose over winter and feed the soil. If the layer is thick enough to hide the grass, it needs to be removed or it will mat and smother the turf.
- Does mowing late in the fall hurt the lawn?
- No, as long as the grass is still growing and the ground is not frozen or saturated. Continuing to mow into November is better for the lawn than stopping early and leaving long grass to fold over under snow.
Want a hand with your yard?
Ruiz Landscaping is Mario Ruiz's family-owned crew serving Vernon Hills and the North Shore. Free estimates, fair prices, fast replies.
Ruiz Landscaping serves Vernon Hills, Libertyville, Mundelein, Buffalo Grove, Lincolnshire, Long Grove and the rest of Vernon Hills's surrounding North Shore and Lake County communities.