When Does Grass Stop Growing in Fairhaven, Massachusetts?
- Feb 10
- 10 min read
By Jorge Melo
Grass stops growing in Fairhaven when daytime temperatures consistently drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, which typically happens in late October or early November across South Coast Massachusetts.
Cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass slow their growth dramatically once soil temperatures cool, with perennial ryegrass lasting a bit longer until around 40 degrees. The last mow of the season should happen before the first hard frost, bringing your lawn down to 2 to 2.5 inches through a series of gradual cuts. This prevents snow mold, matting under winter snow, and vole damage.
Properties along Sconticut Neck and coastal areas of Fairhaven often see growth continue a few days longer than inland areas in Rochester due to moderating ocean temperatures.
The temperature at which grass stops growing in Massachusetts
Temperature drives grass growth more than any calendar date. When air temperatures stay below 50 degrees during the day, cool-season grasses enter dormancy. The grass doesn't die; it just stops producing new growth and conserves energy until spring.
Soil temperature matters even more than air temperature. Grass roots respond to ground warmth, not what the thermometer reads above the surface. When soil temperatures drop into the low 40s, root activity slows to nearly nothing. This happens about two weeks after consistent air temperatures fall below 50 degrees.
Different grass types have different thresholds. Perennial ryegrass keeps growing until soil temperatures hit 40 degrees, making it the last grass to go dormant in fall. Kentucky bluegrass and fine fescues shut down closer to 50 degrees. Tall fescue falls somewhere in between.
The lawns we maintain through our lawn care services in Mattapoisett clearly show this variation. Properties with mostly ryegrass need mowing a week or two longer than those dominated by bluegrass.
The last mowing window in Massachusetts (what month it usually happens)
Most lawns in Fairhaven get their final cut between October 25 and November 10. The exact date depends on weather patterns that year and your specific grass types.
Watch your grass, not the calendar. When growth slows to the point where you're only removing a small amount each week, you're getting close. When you notice almost no height difference after seven days, that's your signal.
In our 35 years of business, we've seen final mow dates range from mid-October during early cold snaps to mid-November in unusually warm falls. The South Coast Massachusetts climate creates some variability, especially near the water, where temperatures stay milder longer.
Properties in Sconticut Neck often need one more mowing than inland properties in Acushnet because the ocean moderates temperatures by a few degrees. That small difference keeps the grass actively growing for another week.
What affects the final mow of the season?
Soil temps vs air temps (what actually matters)
Air temperature gets all the attention, but soil temperature controls grass growth. A sunny 60-degree day in November might feel warm, but if the soil stays at 45 degrees, your grass won't respond with much growth.
Soil warms and cools more slowly than air. This lag means grass keeps growing for a while even as air temps drop, then stays dormant in spring even when we get those early warm days.
Use a soil thermometer pushed 2 inches deep to check ground temperature. When readings consistently stay below 50 degrees, growth is ending. Below 40 degrees, it's completely stopped.
Our lawn maintenance programs track both air and soil temperatures throughout the fall to time the last mow correctly for each property.
Cool-season grass types in Massachusetts
The four main cool-season grasses grown across Mattapoisett, Fairhaven, and Rochester behave differently as winter approaches.
Grass Type | When It Slows/Stops Growing (Soil Temp) | What This Means for Your Last Mow |
Kentucky Bluegrass | Around 50°F | Goes dormant first. Usually needs the earliest final mow. Don’t scalp it. |
Fine Fescues (Creeping Red, Chewings, Hard) | Around 50°F | Similar timing to bluegrass. Often shuts down early, especially in shade. |
Tall Fescue | Around 45°F (mid-40s) | Stays active longer than bluegrass. You may need one extra mowing in late fall. |
Perennial Ryegrass | Around 40°F | Stays green and growing the longest. Often needs the latest final mow. |
Most lawns have a mix of these grasses. Your final mowing timing should account for whichever grass dominates your lawn.
Rain, watering, and moisture levels
Late fall rain can trigger one last growth spurt even as temperatures drop. A week of warm rain in early November might push your grass enough to need another mowing.
Stop watering by mid-October in most years. Once growth slows significantly, irrigation just saturates the soil and creates conditions for disease. Your grass needs to dry out and harden off before winter.
Properties with automatic irrigation systems should winterize by early November at the latest. Frozen sprinkler lines cause expensive damage.
The coastal properties we service through our lawn care in Sconticut Neck, Fairhaven, hold moisture longer after rain due to heavier soils, which can extend the growing season by a few days.
Sunlight, shade, and microclimates
South-facing slopes stay warmer and keep grass growing longer. North-facing areas go dormant first. Shade from buildings or trees cools the soil faster than open lawn areas.
Check different zones of your property separately. You might need to mow sunny areas one more time while shaded sections are already done for the season.
Wind exposure matters too. Properties exposed to north winds cool faster. Sheltered areas near buildings or hedges stay warmer and hold growth a bit longer.
These microclimates across South Coast Massachusetts properties can create a week's difference in dormancy timing within the same lawn.
The best mowing height before winter in Massachusetts
The ideal height for your final cut
Bring your lawn down to 2 to 2.5 inches for winter. This height prevents matting under snow while leaving enough blade surface for photosynthesis when the grass greens up in spring.
Don't scalp the lawn trying to get it really short. Cutting below 2 inches stresses the grass and removes too much of the plant's energy-producing tissue.
Lower the blade gradually over your last 2 to 3 mowings. Drop it a half-inch each time rather than taking it all the way down in one cut. This spreads the stress across multiple weeks.
Properties we maintain through our lawn mowing services get this gradual reduction starting in mid-October, timing the final low cut for late October or early November.
Why does cutting too low weaken grass before winter
Grass blades produce food through photosynthesis. When you cut more than one-third of the blade length at once, you remove too much of the plant's food factory. This shocks the grass and depletes its energy reserves right when it needs to store carbohydrates for winter survival.
Scalping also exposes the crown (where shoots emerge) to freezing temperatures. The crown should stay insulated by 2 inches of grass blade for protection.
Short grass has shallow roots. You want deep, strong roots going into winter so the plant can quickly access water and nutrients when growth resumes in spring.
Lawns cut too short before winter show more winter injury, slower spring green-up, and increased weed pressure the following year.
Why leaving grass too tall can cause winter damage
Grass taller than 3 inches mats down under the snow's weight. This matted grass blocks air circulation and traps moisture against the soil surface, creating perfect conditions for snow mold.
Snow mold appears as circular patches of dead, matted grass when the snow melts in spring. The fungal disease thrives under snow cover on grass left too long. These patches can take months to recover and could need lawn disease treatment to fully recover.
Tall grass also attracts voles (meadow mice) that tunnel under snow and chew grass crowns and roots. They prefer the cover that long grass provides. Keeping the lawn at 2 to 2.5 inches removes this protective cover.
The mowing rules that prevent winter lawn problems
Don't break the one-third rule
Never remove more than one-third of the grass blade in a single mowing, even during your final cuts. If your grass is 4 inches tall, cut it to 2.67 inches. Wait a week, then cut to your target height of 2 to 2.5 inches.
This rule applies year-round but becomes especially important before winter. Grass weakened by excessive cutting doesn't store enough energy to survive cold stress and disease pressure.
Properties across Mattapoisett that follow this rule show significantly better spring recovery than lawns that get scalped in a final desperate mowing.
Sharp blades make a bigger difference than you think
Dull mower blades tear grass rather than cutting it cleanly. Torn grass tips turn brown and create entry points for disease. This matters most before winter, when the grass needs every advantage to stay healthy.
Sharp blades produce clean cuts that heal quickly. The grass seals the wound faster and loses less moisture through the cut surface.
Sharpen your mower blades before the final mow of the season. You'll notice the difference immediately in how clean the lawn looks afterward.
The mowers we use for our lawn care services in Mattapoisett Center get their blades sharpened frequently.
Why mowing wet grass is a bad idea
Wet grass clumps under the mower deck and clog the discharge chute. These clumps drop onto the lawn in heavy piles that smother the grass underneath and create dead spots.
Wet grass doesn't cut cleanly, even with sharp blades. The mower pushes the flexible wet blades down rather than cutting them crisply. You end up with an uneven cut and ragged tips.
Mowing on wet soil compacts the ground, squeezing out air pockets that roots need. This compaction damage is hard to fix and reduces the lawn's ability to drain water and resist disease.
Wait until the grass surface dries, even if the soil underneath stays damp. Mid-morning, after the dew dries, is ideal for late-season mowing.
Frequently asked questions about grass growth and winter lawn care
When should you start mowing in spring, and when should you stop in fall?
Start mowing when the grass reaches 3 to 4 inches, usually mid to late April. Stop when growth ceases from temperatures below 50 degrees, typically late October to early November. Watch growth patterns rather than calendar dates.
After overseeding in Massachusetts, when should you fertilize and reduce watering?
Fertilize at seeding time with starter fertilizer, then again 4 to 6 weeks after germination. Water daily for 2 weeks, every other day for weeks 3 to 4, then return to normal 1 inch per week. Our aeration and overseeding services include detailed watering schedules.
What soil temperature makes grass stop growing?
Cool-season grasses stop growing when soil temperatures fall below 40 to 50 degrees at 2 inches deep. Kentucky bluegrass and fine fescues shut down around 50 degrees, perennial ryegrass at 40 degrees, and tall fescue in between.
When should you seed in Southern Massachusetts, and how long should you wait before using weed killer?
Seed from late August through September for the best results. Wait at least 4 weeks after seeding before applying weed control. New grass needs established roots before tolerating herbicide stress from lawn weed control treatments.
When should you stop watering and winterize sprinklers in Massachusetts?
Stop regular watering by mid-October when growth slows. Winterize sprinklers before the first hard freeze, typically by early November in Fairhaven. Schedule winterization in late October to avoid frozen, cracked lines.
Can mowing too low or too infrequently cause dead patches in Bermuda grass?
Bermuda grass doesn't grow in Massachusetts. Our climate is too cold for this warm-season grass. Dead patches in local lawns come from diseases affecting cool-season grasses or from mowing stress that weakens the turf.
Why does grass grow quickly in summer but barely grows in winter, even on sunny days?
Cool-season grasses grow fastest in spring and fall, not summer. Winter dormancy is triggered by soil temperature below 40 degrees, not sunlight. The grass shuts down biologically based on temperature, regardless of sunny days.
How often should you mow in Massachusetts to keep your lawn thick and healthy?
Mow weekly during spring and fall active growth. Reduce to every 10 days during summer dormancy. Never remove more than one-third of blade height. Increase frequency if needed rather than cutting more at once.
Should grass be cut shorter or left taller before winter?
Cut grass to 2 to 2.5 inches for winter. Taller grass (3+ inches) mats under snow and causes disease. Shorter grass (under 2 inches) exposes crowns to freezing damage and depletes energy reserves.
Is 30 minutes of watering enough for a lawn?
It depends on your sprinkler output rate. The goal is 1 inch per week, including rainfall. Test by placing tuna cans around the lawn and measuring how long it takes to collect 1 inch. Our lawn fertilizing programs include irrigation timing recommendations.
Do you service properties in Mattapoisett and the surrounding areas?
We've provided lawn and landscape services across Mattapoisett, Fairhaven, Rochester, Marion, Acushnet, and surrounding South Coast Massachusetts communities for over 35 years. Our service area covers all of Bristol and Plymouth Counties.
What lawn care services do you offer besides mowing?
We provide complete lawn care, including aeration and overseeding, dethatching, fertilization, weed control, disease treatment, and pest management. Our programs combine these services based on your lawn's specific needs and budget.
What makes your approach different from other lawn care companies?
We focus on preventing lawn problems before they start, not reacting after the damage is already done. Our team has decades of experience working with the soil types, grass varieties, and seasonal conditions specific to South Coast Massachusetts, so we time mowing, fertilization, and treatments based on what your lawn actually needs, not a generic schedule.
Do you offer free estimates?
Yes. Call (508) 763-8000 or email request@newenglandtreeandlandscape.com for a free estimate on any lawn care or landscape service.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. We're fully licensed and insured, and we follow strict safety standards on every property. Our team receives ongoing training in proper equipment use, chemical application, and safety protocols.
Need lawn care services in Fairhaven this fall?
As temperatures drop and your grass enters dormancy, proper final mowing sets up next spring's success. Get your lawn ready for winter without risking damage from improper timing or technique.
New England Tree & Landscape has maintained lawns across South Coast Massachusetts for over 35 years. We understand the specific timing and conditions that affect properties in Fairhaven, Mattapoisett, Rochester, and surrounding areas.
Call (508) 763-8000 or email request@newenglandtreeandlandscape.com for a free estimate on fall lawn care services.
Sources
Bryant, Lauren. "How short to cut grass before winter." Lawn Love, 26 Mar. 2025, www.lawnlove.com/blog/how-short-to-cut-grass-before-winter/.
Hartney Greymont. "Seasonal mowing heights for Massachusetts lawns." Davey Tree Expert Company, 5 June 2025, www.hartney.com/resources/seasonal-mowing-heights-for-massachusetts-lawns/.
Joaquim, Teresa. "Month-by-Month Lawn Care Calendar for Massachusetts." Lawn Love, 5 Sept. 2024, lawnlove.com/blog/lawn-care-calendar-massachusetts/.
North Atlantic Landscape. "How short to cut grass before winter in New England." North Atlantic Land, 20 Dec. 2023.
Toma, Luminita. "When to Stop Mowing the Lawn Before Winter." LawnStarter, 29 July 2024, www.lawnstarter.com/blog/lawn-care-2/when-stop-mowing-lawn-before-winter/.
Weston Nurseries. "Lawn Care Month by Month." www.westonnurseries.com/lawn-care-month-by-month/.
Williams, Rosie Wolf. "Mowing height debate: last mow of the season low?" LawnStarter, 14 Dec. 2024.
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