I’m a gardening expert – here’s exactly when to stop cutting your lawn this winter depending on where in the UK you live
YOU might already be done with spending much time in your garden as the temperature continues to drop.
But for those wanting to keep their outside space looking lush throughout the winter months, it’s importnat to know when to give it the last mow of the year.
Grass growth slows down this time of year, but gardeners might just be putting away their lawnmowers too soon.
Cutting your lawn to late can damage the grass, but doing it too early can leave your once lush lawn looking old and neglected over the winter months.
So, when is the perfect time for the final trim of the season?
According to James Ewens, gardening expert from Green Feathers, it’s all down to where in the UK you live.
Based on the average temperature and other regional variations, the pro has revealed who can put their lawnmower away and when.
“As temperatures drop, grass growth slows significantly. Once the average daytime temperature consistently falls below 10C, it’s generally safe to stop cutting,” he told Express.co.uk.
When there is especially warm or wet weather the growing season can alter too, the pro said.
“Microclimates within different regions of the UK can affect the timing of the last cut,” he added.
So, here is when you should cut your lawn for the last time this season, depending on where you live.
When to cut your grass for the last time this winter
London: Late October
Manchester: Late October to early November
Birmingham: Late October to early November
Leeds: Late October to early November
Liverpool: Late October to early November
Glasgow: Late October to early November
Edinburgh: Late October to early November
Bristol: Late October
Newcastle: Late October to early November
Cardiff: Late October
Following the one-third rule can also cause mowing that’s frequent enough that it encourages lateral growth.
Grass growing laterally can help the yard be thick and dense, which creates a healthy look and helps to prevent weeds.
It’s important to cut your grass short before it stops growing for multiple reasons, one of which is the possibility of snow.
If snow falls on top of long grass, the grass could bend or become matted down, which creates an environment for mold and disease.
If your lawn is suffocated, your grass might not recover from the winter.
Shorter grass is more stiff, which makes the lawn more resistant to damage from ice and snow.
On top of cutting your lawn short before it gets too cold, it’s important to rake autumn leaves off the grass.
Debris including leaves, twigs, and rogue branches should be mulched or raked off lawns before winter hits because it might suffocate your grass otherwise.
What is the one third rule?
The one-third rule is a lawn care tip that helps you know when to mow your lawn.
The guideline recommends cutting no more than one-third of the grass length at a time.
For example, if your grass is two inches tall, you should cut it when it reaches three inches tall.
The one-third rule keeps lawns healthy and creates deeper roots for the grass.
The tip also prevents excessive clippings, and allows small clippings to spread across the yard, which promotes lateral growth.