‘Last chance’ to mow lawns before winter to avoid causing ‘damage’ to the turf

Winter is often referred to as the dormant period, because reduced amounts of daylight and lower temperatures slows the lawn’s growth rate down completely. In most cases, at some points during the winter, grass will stop growing completely. This means October is a great chance to mow the grass one last time, making sure to not cut it too short, before the cold weather sets in.

The RHS said: “The mowing regime is an important part of maintaining a healthy lawn. The cutting height and mowing frequency will depend on the purpose and look you want to achieve, whether it be a close-cut classic lawn or a longer-grassed wildlife lawn.”

The experts said mowing is mainly carried out between the months of March and October. 

Cutting outside of this time when the weather is cold can actually damage the grass, so it is best avoided.

Over spring and autumn, the RHS said gardeners should mow their lawns once a week.

READ MORE: Five jobs to do now to ‘winter-proof’ your garden

David Truly, the MD of Greensleeves, explained: “Grass growth slows and becomes increasingly dormant during winter, but its growth certainly doesn’t stop completely, and neither should mowing your lawn.

“The trick is to continue mowing your lawn as needed, never allowing it to become too long as this can significantly reduce the quality and potentially increase the severity of moss invasion.

“It is important that you ensure the mower blades are sharp, so as not to cause damage to the lawn itself. Never attempt to mow your lawn if it is saturated or covered in frost, taking extra care to remove excess leaves and debris by raking, this helps to prevent environments which may encourage final diseases.

“A tailored seasonal treatment is the best way to prepare your lawn for the colder months. These are specifically designed to help your lawn tackle the change in temperature.

“At Greensleeves our winter treatment takes place between November and February and involves applying a liquid product to your lawn that, as well as targeting moss, contains essential plant nutrients and can keep fungal disease activity at bay.”