How Ramping Up Your Mowing After Summer Boosts a Lush Lawn

• On September 24 2025

Some people delight in the incoming fall for the crisp autumn leaves, mulled spiced cider, and spooky Halloween decor (yes, please!). At Agrolawn, we're also welcoming fall in anticipation of thousands of thriving lawns across Maryland and Virginia!

Autumn is the season when you should be enjoying a cool, lush lawn under your feet after a balmy summer. This is the moment when your turf can recover from any summer strain, grow thicker and healthier, and prepare for the winter ahead. A strategic and intentional mowing routine can help you achieve a picture-perfect turf with little effort.

Mowing Slows Down In The Summer

Between spring and fall, summer heat and the occasional drought cause stress on lawns. With less water to carry nutrients throughout the grass, your turf may weaken in the hotter and drier months. To combat the heat, it's better to slow down mowing. Less frequent mowing reduces lawn stress by giving it breaks to recover between mows.

Why Mowing Frequency Should Increase After Summer

Once the temperatures drop in the early fall, your lawn will be able to handle a more frequent trimming schedule. Fall is the most tolerable season for lawns due to the temperate weather and cool climate.

On average, fall temperatures in Virginia and Maryland range between a high of 72°F and a low of 51°F, the optimal range for snappy tall fescue growth. The milder temperatures ensure moisture doesn't evaporate from the soil as quickly, helping your grass retain water and nutrients.

Some lawns will leave summer dormancy, so grass growth will increase and require more maintenance. Lawn cuttings should be more frequent to reduce the chances of mold growth and help your lawn roots develop robustly for winter.

The Right Way to Ramp Up Mowing in Virginia and Maryland

When tall fescue enters the mild fall temperatures, its growth takes off! Before you buzz your lawn, make sure you're still following a routine that promotes your lawn's fall prosperity. Don't just dive in - ease your lawn into the new season with these mowing best practices:

• Stick with the ⅓ rule of mowing. Chopping off too much foliage at a time can thin your lawn and make it susceptible to drought and disease. Only mow ⅓ of the total grass length at a time to help maintain the overall thickness and disease-resistance of your lawn.
• Replace or sharpen mower blades. Always maintain your mower blades annually in preparation for a sharp, clean cut. Mower blades dull with use, so inspect them for damage before the fall. If they're a little dulled, they can be sharpened with a grindstone. However, if they're chipped or cracked, it's time to replace them.
• Maintain a regular mowing height. In the Chesapeake Bay area, you can keep a steady lawn height of 3.5 inches year-round - no need to switch it up on your tall fescue mid-year!

Common Fall Mowing Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid scalping the lawn. It might be tempting to mow your lawn at the shortest setting for less maintenance, but this will set your lawn up for disaster. Cutting too short can expose the soil to too much sun, leaving your lawn prone to drought and giving it an unsightly appearance.

On the other hand, don't let your lawn grow too long between mows. Even in the fall, the Chesapeake Bay area remains fairly humid and wet. Your grass is more susceptible to molds in the cool autumn months, such as powdery mildew, which thrives in dark and damp conditions. Excessively long lawns can be a breeding ground for fungal diseases, so stay on a strict mowing schedule and keep your eye out for signs of mold growth.

Regional Considerations for Virginia & Maryland Lawns

Fall lawn care isn't often a one-size-fits-all job - your lawn is unique in its needs and wants! The most common grass type in the Chesapeake region is tall fescue, so you'll most likely need to tailor your maintenance to this grass type. If your lawn is tall fescue, be familiar with its specific variety issues, strengths, and needs.

While many regions expect consistently heavier fall precipitation, Maryland and Virginia's average fall rain fluctuates . . . some years bring less, and others more. This will impact your lawn's susceptibility to diseases and potentially affect your mowing schedule. As a precaution, keep a close eye on this year's rainfall and water a bit extra if your region continues to be in a drought.

Pairing Mowing with Other Fall Services

In the Chesapeake Bay area, where Maryland and Virginia lawns face hot, humid summers and unpredictable fall weather, pairing your mowing routine with other seasonal services can make all the difference. After a long summer, many yards have bare or thinning patches from heat stress and foot traffic. Overseeding these areas in early fall encourages new grass growth, filling in the damage and creating a lusher, more resilient lawn.

For a lawn that bounces back twice as strong, follow the overseeding with a fall fertilizer service to strengthen its root systems, helping your turf store the nutrients it needs to survive the winter and bounce back beautifully in spring. The essential nutrients within a fall formula will be stored within your lawn's root system to contribute to a faster and healthier green-up next year.

Your Fall Lawn Care and Mowing Checklist

• Sharpen or replace your mower blades.
• Increase your mowing frequency.
• Mow 1/3 of the blade at a time.
• Overseed any bare patches in your turf.
• Consider finishing with a fall fertilizer application.
• Increase your watering in case of drought.

Schedule a Lawn Evaluation with Agrolawn for a Thriving Fall Turf

It's time for your lawn to flourish this fall! Give your lawn the boost it needs with a comprehensive lawn care plan all growing season long. Cool temperatures and mild climate create the perfect conditions for a happy, thriving turf - as long as you take advantage of the season's changes! Contact Agrolawn to help your lawn recover from summer and achieve fertile autumn growth today.