When to give your lawn the final cut

Gardening experts at GardeningExpress.co.uk are advising Britons to give their lawn the last cut of the year in early November.

As the temperatures drop and the hours of daylight decrease, grass and other plants will enter their dormant period where their rate of growth slows right down.

Cutting the lawn nice and short will help to keep the grass healthy throughout the winter and will encourage better growth next Spring.

Chris Bonnett, founder of GardeningExpress said: “It’s important to keep the lawn healthy throughout the winter so that it can be more resilient to the cold conditions.

“Keeping it in good shape will also mean that by next Spring it will be in great condition.

“Ideally you’ll want to cut the lawn shorter than usual to prevent it from getting matted down which can make it more susceptible to diseases.

“You should also consider applying a final dose of fertiliser to your lawn before the winter kicks in so that it has all the nutrients it needs to survive the colder weather.

“Throughout the winter you’ll want to rake leaves and aerate the lawn to allow it to breathe.”

Taking care of your lawn

1. Cut the lawn shorter than usual

When giving your lawn the final cut of the year you’ll want to cut the grass shorter than usual. Longer grass gets matted down with the winter weather conditions which can make it more susceptible to diseases.

2. Rake leaves

Occasionally you should rake away any leaves that have fallen onto your lawn. A build up of leaves can prevent the lawn from receiving sunlight and can also trap water and moisture.

3. Aerate the lawn

It’s generally advised that you don’t aerate your lawn during winter. However if you notice the grass is suffering from compaction, then you’ll want to aerate these sections with a garden fork to allow the lawn to breathe again.

4. Water the lawn 

It’s okay to continue to water your grass up until the ground begins to freeze over. This usually happens from mid to late autumn but it can vary depending on where you live so keep an eye on your local forecast.

5. Give the grass it’s final dose of fertiliser

Autumn is the last time you can fertilise your lawn for the year. Opting for a slow release fertiliser will help your lawn develop strong roots and provide it with the essential nutrients it needs to survive the winter.

6. Limit foot traffic

Try to minimise how much you walk along your grass during the final part of the year especially when it’s frosty. Heavy foot traffic while the grass is frozen can damage the blades and compress the grass and soil.

7. Clean your lawn equipment

Before you pack away your lawn equipment for the winter it’s important to give it a clean. Drain any fuel from your lawnmower if needed, clean the blades and store in a dry place.