As the days get shorter and the leaves start to fall, it's time to start thinking about preparing your lawn for the upcoming winter months when grass enters dormancy to protect itself from harsh weather and cold temperatures. 

According to the TruGreen blog, the growth rate of grass begins to slow down once daytime temperatures stay consistently below the 40-50 degree Fahrenheit range. These temps may come early for you—or not at all—depending upon the region in which you reside.

Even though growth may be slowing down, be sure to keep trimming your lawn as winter approaches, which will help prevent diseases, attract less debris and reduce the risk of snow mold in northern areas. 

Bring your grass to its short, pre-winter length gradually over the coming weeks, as opposed to doing one big chop at the end of fall. While recommended mowing lengths depend on the species of grass in your lawn, Trugreen recommends an average winter grass height of two inches going into winter. Grass that is cut too short could go into shock during cold weather, and grass that is too long is more susceptible to mold.

You can gauge when the last day to mow your lawn should be by keeping a close eye on the weather report. Once the first forecast for frost is made, be sure to mow your lawn to its final winter height a few days before this date. If you miss the pre-frost mow, don't attempt to cut your grass when it's frozen. Frost causes the moisture inside the grass blades to freeze, so any activity on the surface of the lawn could cause blades to break, leading to widespread damage.

If you're in a region where you might want to give your grass a couple of mows during winter, be sure to do so during the warmer parts of the day when all frost has melted and the sun is intense enough to dry the lawn. Be sure to only cut ⅓ of an inch as well.

You can also consider calling in a professional lawn service or landscaper to ensure your grass is well prepared for its winter sleep, and ready to appear in full force again come spring.