At what temperature does grass stop growing? The expert take

You probably don’t need me to tell you that November is a strange month in terms of temperature. One minute it’s quite mild and the next minute the temperatures drop to near freezing and leave garden work the last thing on your mind. Thanks to it getting colder, your garden can become much more maintenance-free. But when it comes to your lawn, at what temperature does grass stop growing?

Regardless of whether you are a believer lawn care followers or just whip out one of them best lawnmower to trim your grass from time to time, you need to understand how the weather can affect your lawn care calendar. And a big part of that is understanding what certain temperatures mean for your grass — and how that affects your winter to-do list.

By knowing the temperature at which grass stops growing, you can figure out your next lawn care move to protect your grass over the winter. After all, as Jim Kirkwood, gardening expert at worx, explains, ‘By adjusting mowing habits and gardening tasks with seasonal changes, you’ll help your lawn stay healthy during the colder months.’

Garden armchairs and side table on lawn surrounded by hydrangeas with black garden building behind

At what temperature does grass stop growing?

We have already seen first frost of the year (and even some snow in some cases), but with temperatures set to rise again before Christmas, your lawn care efforts may not be over just yet.

John Marshall, Landscape Expert at Wenningdale escapesexplains, ‘During winter the grass plant goes into a dormant period when there is less sun and the soil temperature drops below 5°C. This will naturally slow down or stop the rate of growth altogether.’

In fact, you could say that your lawn goes dormant during the winter months—and for good reason, too.

“This is because it saves energy as factors including the amount of nutrients available, lack of sunlight slowing down photosynthesis and reduced water uptake come into play,” says Chris McIlroy, lawn expert at The Grass People.

Back of a cottage covered in greenery, with patio and garden benches and part laid to lawn

(Image credit: Future/Polly Eltes)

Jim Kirkwood

A seasoned horticultural expert, Jim is the Director of Product Management at Worx, where he has spent the last 11 years. After two decades in the gardening industry, Jim is passionate about battery power and focuses much of his time innovating and working on Worx’s powerful and replaceable Powershare battery system.

But while 5°C is generally the temperature at which grass stops growing, many experts suggest you keep an eye on your grass before it drops below this temperature.

Jim advises, ‘The best way to protect your lawn is to keep an eye on the temperature and recognize when it consistently drops below 10°C.’ When you notice it starting to drop, it’s worth putting some plans into motion and making sure your grass is prepared for the cold months ahead.

Yes, that means you should gear up cut the grass for the last time before winter if you haven’t already. However, you should be careful when doing this.

Lush garden borders next to an area laid to lawn, with a seating area with wooden chairs in the background

(Image credit: Future/Peter Chatterton)

Chris says: ‘If you haven’t mowed your lawn for the last time and you’re keen to mow, proceed with caution. Wait until the lawn is as dry as possible and the conditions are relatively mild, and put your mower blades on the highest setting because you want your lawn to last a little longer to protect it during the colder months. 2.3 to 3 inches for most lawns to provide a protective layer and insulate roots.

But while you might think you can tick this task off your to-do list when the temperature hits 5°C and your grass stops growing, the reality is that lawn care never stops – even when it’s dormant.

Jim echoes this, saying, ‘Even though your last cut of the season may be done, that doesn’t mean your work for the winter is over. Other important conservatory jobs such as removal of weedstrimming the edges of the lawn, aeration of the lawn and raking leaves is essential to the overall health of the lawn.’

Garden with lawn and stepping stones on the way up to a summer house

(Image credit: Future/David Giles)

In fact, remove leaves from your lawn is incredibly important – but there are some circumstances where you don’t need it. Because of this, it’s best to base your decision on a case-by-case basis.

There are some admin tasks you can do once it has reached a temperature where the grass stops growing as well. First of all, you can sharpen your lawnmower blades. And once you’ve done that, you can store your lawnmower for the winter.

“You won’t need to take your mower out again until spring when temperatures are consistently above 8-10°C, which is when the grass will grow again,” explains Chris.

Smith’s handheld lawnmower

McGregor garden lawn aerator

Worx Compact brushless cordless leaf blower LeafJet 20V

Frequently asked questions

Will grass grow at 6°C?

Generally speaking, grass shoot growth stops at 5°C, meaning it can still grow at 6°C. But growth will be limited during this time, so don’t expect it to grow too much. In fact, the growth may not even be noticeable to the naked eye.

Because of this, it is highly unlikely that you will need to mow your lawn when the weather drops to 6°C. Instead, you can just wait until the temperature starts to rise again in the spring.

Should I leave my grass long or short for the UK winter?

You should always aim to leave your grass long for the UK winter, and experts agree that anything between 2.3 to 3 inches in height is sufficient. There are many reasons why you should do this, including:

Protection against frost and cold.
The leaves will still be able to absorb sunlight and moisture.
Provides protection for wild animals.
Protects the roots from damage.

Is it okay to cut grass with morning dew?

Experts generally recommend not mowing wet grass to protect both your lawn and your mower. But since morning dew is usually drier than rain-soaked grass, this should be fine.

Just remember to only mow a small amount during this time to avoid tearing or ripping the grass from the ground. And if you feel it’s causing any damage to your mower, it’s always best to stop and wait until the grass is dry again.

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At what temperature does grass stop growing? The expert take

At what temperature does grass stop growing?

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At what temperature does grass stop growing?

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