Why then
Warm-season growth slows sharply as nights cool and stops when frost sends the lawn into dormancy — typically within two weeks of the first frost, after which the lawn browns and mowing is done for the year. In frost-free areas growth merely slows, and occasional winter mowing continues.
Frequently asked questions
When should I stop mowing for the year in South Carolina?
Across South Carolina's featured cities the window runs Oct 24 – Jan 6. Your own town can sit at either end of that range — use the city table on this page or the ZIP lookup for your exact dates.
Why do the dates vary within South Carolina?
Because climate does. The dates here are calculated separately for each city from its own NOAA 1991–2020 frost records, and elevation, latitude, and terrain spread them across South Carolina — the same task can be a week or two apart between towns. That local spread is exactly what generic national advice misses.
What if I miss the window?
Better to skip than to force it. Doing this job in the wrong season stresses the lawn more than not doing it at all — set a reminder for the next window.