Georgia's mild winters bring a unique challenge to lawn care — while some grasses slow down or go dormant, others continue growing well into the cooler months. Understanding the different needs of different types of turfgrass is key to protecting your lawn's health until spring comes back around. Here, we will talk about how to handle mowing for Bermuda, Zoysia, Centipede, and Fescue lawns through the winter — including the final cut, what heights are best, and why you should let certain grasses rest.
Why Grasses Enter Dormancy in Late Fall
Most Georgia lawns feature warm season species such as Bermuda, Zoysia and Centipede grasses. These grasses thrive throughout late spring and summer, but as daylight shortens and soil temperatures drop (below ~55 °F), they move into dormancy. Growth slows significantly and the turf's color often fades to tan or brown. Dormancy is a natural survival mechanism — the grass saves energy and protects its root system. Mowing aggressively during this phase can expose crowns, weaken the root system and increase risk of damage or disease.
Mow and Height Recommendations
Before your warm season lawn fully rests, a final mow in early to mid November is ideal: it tidies the lawn and ensures it enters dormancy in good shape. Here are the suggested mowing heights for Georgia's common warm‐season grasses:
- Bermuda Grass: 1.5″ – 2″
- Zoysia Grass: 1.5″ – 2″
- Centipede Grass: 1.5″ – 2.5″
Keeping these heights helps avoid scalping and protects the crown from cold exposure. Once grass stops growing, it's time to put the mower back in the shed — regular mowing during dormancy does more harm than good.
How Fescue Lawns Are Different
Unlike warm‐season grasses, Tall Fescue (a cool‐season grass) behaves differently here in Georgia. In many northern and central Georgia yards it remains green and grows slowly through the winter months. Because of this, Fescue still benefits from occasional mowing, albeit at a much lighter frequency than in peak seasons.
Recommended winter height for Fescue: 2.5″ – 3.5″. Mow only when the grass has grown significantly (removing no more than one‑third of the blade at a time). Avoid mowing when the turf is wet or frosted. Keeping Fescue slightly taller helps insulate roots against temperature swings, helps keep moisture, and lowers disease risk. For more on identifying your grass type and its season‑specific needs, see A Guide to the Top Grasses for Georgia Lawns.
Avoid Scalping Your Lawn
Cutting your lawn too short — scalping — can significantly undermine turf health regardless of grass type. It exposes crowns and roots to cold stress, increases water loss and weakens the turf's ability to recover in spring. If your lawn has been cut too low accidentally, don't try to fix it with another short mow. Instead, let it rest and recover. Leaving grass slightly tall entering winter is always safer than risking damage with low cuts.
What to Do Based on Grass Type
For warm season lawns (Bermuda, Zoysia, Centipede), the best strategy in winter is to let them rest once growth has slowed. Dormancy is protective — minimal stimulation, minimal mowing.For Fescue lawns, minimal but steady maintenance is still needed. Occasional mowings help maintain appearance and ensure the grass continues functioning through the cooler months.
The key is protection — avoiding stress, debris, over mowing or heavy foot traffic is more beneficial than trying to force growth during the colder, slower season.
Tips for Winter Mowing in Georgia
- Stop regular mowing for warm season grasses after growth slows (typically November).
- Maintain Fescue at ~2.5″ 3.5″ and mow only when necessary.
- Avoid scalping your lawn before winter; maintain protective blade height.
- Clear leaves and debris to promote airflow and prevent smothering.
- Use the winter season for equipment maintenance and soil prep.
By tailoring your mowing and care practices to your turf type, you can protect your lawn through winter and help ensure a strong healthy growth come spring.