Mowing Season In Louisiana: Here’s When That Ends

(KMDL-FM) Mowing season, it seems to be never-ending in Louisiana, but believe it or not, according to the experts at the Farmers' Almanac, there is an actual time when you should stop cutting the grass and essentially "let it rest" during the winter months.

For a lot of lawns in Louisiana, the first mow of the not-quite-spring season begins in late February or early March. By the time we get into May and June, many of us are cutting grass twice a week.

How Often Should You Mow Your Grass to Keep it Healthy During the Summer?

A man mows a lawn with a push mower

Of course, the frequency of mowings depends on heat and rainfall. If we get regular afternoon and early evening showers and storms, even the smallest lawn can get out of hand in just a few days.

Now, as we arrive in September with the promise of at least a "cool front" expected by the middle of next week, those of us who long to leave the lawn alone for a few months can actually start planning for when our Saturdays and Sundays can return to full festival or football mode without the green grass stains showing up on our sneakers.

gray and white nike athletic shoes

The Farmers' Almanac suggests that temperature is the key. No, not just a cold snap or two, but consistent cool temperatures are the key to knowing when to stop mowing. For most grass varieties that can tolerate Louisiana heat, the magic temperature is between 55 and 50 degrees.

READ MORE: Expert Reveals Trick to Cutting a Wet Lawn - What to Know

When the temperatures spend the majority of the day in that range, you can place an almost certain bet that your grass has gone dormant for the cooler months. Louisiana generally starts to feel temperatures in that range in mid to late November and early December.

The One Key Weather Event That Signals Mowing Season Is Almost Over.

This timing coincides with the average annual arrival date of Louisiana's first frost. So, cool and consistent is what you're looking for if you want to mow no mo'.

landscape photography of leafless tree coated snow beside fence

Another trick to get a good handle on when your grass is beginning its winter wind-down is to cut the grass and wait at least 10 days. If the lawn doesn't really look like it needs mowing, then you are in the beginning of the end of the growing season.

READ MORE: How Early Can You Run Your Power Tools & Mower in Lafayette? 

And just because there has been frost on the grass doesn't mean you won't need to mow it. And based on what the Climate Prediction Center is telling us, don't expect any chills to be big and consistent, at least until we get into December and January.

cpc.ncep.noaa.gov

Experts suggest that if we encounter a brief warm-up in late December or early January, you could see some early-season growth from cold-weather grass varieties, but for the most part, you can take from late November to early March off when it comes to cutting grass.

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And since the weather will finally be getting cooler, how about something cozy and warm to drink? We have some ideas if you need them.