Should You Mow in November? Fall Lawn Tips for the PNW

As autumn settles in across the Pacific Northwest, many gardeners wonder if it’s time to put the mower away for the year — or if one last pass might do the lawn some good.

If you’ve got tall fescue, like many of us do here, the answer depends a little on the weather and a lot on what your grass is doing right now.

Fescue Still Grows — Slowly

Tall fescue is a cool-season grass, which means it thrives in the mild temperatures of spring and fall. Even in November, when nights get chilly and rain settles in, it can still be growing — just at a slower pace.

Once the soil drops below about 50°F (10°C), growth mostly stops. That’s your cue to give it one final trim and then let it rest.

The Final Mow

If your lawn still looks shaggy, go ahead and mow — just don’t scalp it.

• Set your mower around 3 inches.

• Mow only when the grass and soil are dry enough to walk on without leaving footprints.

• Avoid mowing if there’s frost or the ground feels spongy.

A light trim now keeps the blades upright and prevents them from matting down through the wet winter ahead, while still leaving enough length to insulate the roots from cold snaps.

Mulching the Leaves

This is a great time to mulch fallen leaves right into the lawn.

Run the mower with the mulch setting on, and make a couple of passes until the leaves are shredded fine — small enough that you can still see the grass tips peeking through.

Those bits will break down naturally over winter, returning organic matter and nutrients to the soil.

If the layer ends up too thick, rake some off for garden beds or compost.

When to Stop

Once the grass stops growing, or if the weather turns consistently wet and cold, it’s time to let the mower hibernate.

Fescue will stay green through most PNW winters, but it doesn’t need trimming again until early spring.

A Simple Rule

Mow one last time in early or mid-November (if it’s still growing), keep it around 3 inches, and mulch those leaves right in

Your lawn — and your soil life — will thank you come spring.