Don't put the lawn mower up just because summer time is over; lawns still need to be mowed in the fall. Continue mowing until the grass quits growing. Excessive fall growth increases winter lodging, causes excessive browning, and encourages winter and early spring diseases. You don't want grass to enter winter any taller than three inches. Depending upon fall moisture and temperatures, the last moving may be needed as late as Thanksgiving or into early December.
In most instances, grass clippings should not be removed. Grass clippings are good for the lawn because they return nutrients to the soil. They do not add to or cause problems with thatch. Collect clippings only when a serious disease is actively infecting grass. Growth is so high that normal mowing would "windrow" clippings, smothering grass below. A lot of weed seed can be collected and discarded.
Fall is also the best time of the year to fertilize lawns. Phosphorous and potassium are not always needed in Kentucky, but nitrogen is necessary for quality lawns. Timing is critical to the success of lawn fertilization. Fall fertilization will promote more lateral growth and increased density, so it won't drastically increase mowing. Top growth is not what we want. We're more interested in caring for what is left after mowing than what is taken off.
