You could be pushing that mower right up until late November, especially considering any odd warm days that can pop up unexpectedly
As autumn sets in, many assume it’s time to put the lawn mower away, but experts are sounding the alarm that halting lawn care too soon could wreak havoc on your grass.
Unaware gardeners might face a ticking time bomb underneath their feet as untimely mower retirement invites a host of problems like fungal diseases, and critter invasions. Lawn care gurus at Mowers Direct caution against cutting short your mowing routine: “If your grass is still growing, then it still needs to be mowed and maintained, even into the fall – even after the first light snowfall!”
Determining the right time to wind down your mowing depends greatly on what type of grass beautifies your lawn. In the northern reaches of Europe, you’re likely to have cooler season grasses, while the south is home to warm-season varieties.
Expert advice from Mowers Direct clears up the confusion: “Cool-season grasses grow more actively in the spring and fall, while warm-season grasses grow more actively in the summer.” But regardless of the type, both will eventually take a winter nap when the mercury falls below certain levels, reports the Express.
They explain further: “In general, once the air temperature consistently stays below 60 degrees around warm-season grasses and 50 degrees around cool-season grasses, then it’s good to consider putting away that mower.”
This suggests you could be pushing that mower right up until late November, especially considering any odd warm days that can pop up unexpectedly.
That being said, it’s vital not to chop your grass too close to the ground since it absorbs most of its nutrients from the top portion of its blade. “It’s good to never cut grass down by more than a third of its height at one time,” advise the pros at Mowers Direct.
As the chill starts to bite, experts suggest you gradually trim your grass shorter until your final mow before the frost hits leaves you with roughly two-inch stems.
