Is there any summer pastime more British than mowing the lawn? We think not, but as summer fades into autumn, gardeners across the nation will be looking to hang up their lawnmowers.
Still, British weather can be deceptive, and summer sun can sometimes return for a surprise at the end of September. So, when is the best time to stop mowing the lawn?
When to Stop Mowing the Lawn
The best time to stop mowing the lawn is when the daytime temperature drops consistently to around 5-10oC.
This can be anywhere from the middle of October to November.
This is the point at which grass in the UK tends to go dormant and stop growing. However, grass can continue growing all year round if the weather conditions are right. If the ground temperature stays above 5°C, and there is not much frost, you could see lawn grass continuing to grow through December.
Prepare your lawn for winter during autumn: aim to mow your lawn every ten to fourteen days, removing dead leaves and debris as you go. Keep doing so until all the leaves have fallen from the trees. This means the leaves won’t smother the grass – and if you gather them all up, you can use them in your compost.
Winter Lawn Care
Should your grass continue to grow all winter, make sure you only cut it when there have been several consecutive days without rain. Cutting wet grass is very bad for the plant – it can lead to ruts in the lawn, clumping, uneven cutting, and can clog your mower.
If you do have to mow your lawn in the winter, raise the cutting blade to avoid scalping your lawn. We recommend cutting the grass no shorter than 2 inches in winter. This will also ensure enough of the grass leaf remains above ground to absorb the limited amount of available solar energy.
As autumn sets in and darkens into winter, there’s plenty you can do to ensure your lawn is as healthy as it can be come spring. We offer a comprehensive winter lawn treatment that will help control any moss that grows and keep your grass well-fed through the colder months.
If you’re concerned about the health of your lawn over winter, please feel free to contact us. We can offer advice as well as treatment plans.
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