Fall mowing will set lawn up for winter success, says K-State expert
McKernan shares recommendations for mowing height
At a glance: Leaving grass blades taller heading into winter may be a recipe for inviting disease. K-State horticulture expert Matt McKernan shares recommendations for mowing your lawn this fall.
More information: Matt McKernan, hortsupport@ksu.edu
Related: K-State Horticulture Newsletter
Oct. 15, 2025
K-State Extension news service
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Just in case homeowners are tempted to put the lawnmower away early this fall, Kansas State University horticulture expert Matt McKernan suggests that they resist that urge.
“Some people believe taller grass in the winter provides insulation for the plant crowns, protecting them through freezing temperatures,” McKernan said. “This practice can cause problems when the grass blades fall over, which can create a matted environment perfect for winter diseases.”
Instead, McKernan says homeowners should take steps to prepare turf for winter.
“This requires action year-round, including fertilizing, watering and mowing. For cool season turfgrasses, fertilizations in September and November can be especially beneficial in boosting plant health before winter,” he said. “Follow recommendations for the variety of turf you are growing, but in general, you should maintain the proper mowing height throughout the year.”
For common home lawns in Kansas, the recommended heights are:
- Tall fescue – 2 ½ to 3 ½ inches.
- Kentucky bluegrass – 2 to 3 inches.
- Buffalograss – 2 to 3 inches.
- Bermudagrass – 1 to 2 inches.
- Zoysiagrass – 1 to 2 inches.
“It may be beneficial to adjust mowing height within these recommendations at specific times,” McKernan said. “For example, warm-season grasses may be mowed taller during late summer and early fall so they can store more carbohydrates for the winter. It may also help to reduce the incidence of cool-weather diseases. But the taller height must still be within the recommendation.”
McKernan and his colleagues in K-State’s Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources produce a weekly Horticulture Newsletter with tips for maintaining home landscapes and gardens.
Interested persons can subscribe to the newsletter, as well as send their garden and yard-related questions to hortsupport@ksu.edu, or contact your local K-State Extension office.
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K‑State Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the wellbeing of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county extension offices statewide. Its headquarters is on the K‑State campus in Manhattan.