Making sure your lawn is lush and green is the key to having a beautiful garden, and it turns out one common gardening chore can completely destroy your grass at this time of year.
Late autumn is a crucial time in lawn care if you wish to keep it healthy but all your hard work can be destroyed if the grass is too long or too short once the frost begins.
The gardeners at Original Organics said: “One of the most common mistakes people make is not knowing when to mow their lawn for the last time before winter.
“It’s easy to assume that once the leaves start falling, it’s time to put away the lawnmower. However, this can actually do more harm than good to your lawn.”
Overgrown grass can become matted and create a perfect environment for pests, mould as well as fungal diseases to begin growing on your lawn.
However, if your grass is too short it will be much more vulnerable to the freezing cold temperatures which can cause the roots to die so the lawn is completely destroyed once spring arrives.
It may seem stressful to make sure grass is the perfect length before winter but it is actually very simple as long as its height does not exceed three inches.
Keeping your lawn grass height at three inches is the perfect balance to avoid both diseases and cold stress while still providing enough insulation to keep the roots warm.
Mowing at the right height will make sure your grass comes back stronger and more vibrant next year, but it is also good to know when the best time to stop mowing completely before winter.
The gardening experts said: “Typically, the best time to mow your lawn for the last time before winter hits is in late autumn or early winter. This is usually around October or November, depending on your location and the climate.
“By this time, grass growth has slowed down enough to justify stopping regular mowing. However, it’s important to pay attention to the condition of your lawn and make adjustments accordingly.”
When you stop mowing will depend on where you live in the UK as people in the north will likely have stopped cutting their grass now but those in certain areas of England may be experiencing a milder autumn.
Grass goes dormant and stops growing once the temperature consistency drops below 5C and then you should stop mowing as it can damage the grass blades.
If you keep your grass length at three inches and put away the lawn mower once it is continuously below 5C then your lawn should be thriving once springtime arrives.
You will be able to begin mowing again once the frost disappears and the weather warms up again, which is typically around late March to early April.
