By mowing your grass at the wrong time, you risk making your lawn more susceptible to diseases, pests, and winter damage
As the colder days draw in, it signals the end of grass mowing season. Knowing when to stop trimming the turf before winter is crucial and getting it wrong can harm the health of your lawn.
James Ewens from Green Feathers has warned that cutting your grass at the wrong time of year can cause unnecessary stress and potentially lead to a sparser, less robust lawn once temperatures rise.
Ewens explained: “While it’s not a hard and fast rule, if gardeners cut their grass too late in the year – after it has gone dormant – then they risk damaging the blades and roots, making the lawn more susceptible to diseases, pests, and winter damage. It could also undo all the hard work you’ve done over the past spring and summer!”
Grass stores nutrients in its roots throughout the winter, so a dormant lawn should not be mowed as it might reduce those reserves and reduce its ability to photosynthesis. Come springtime, the result might be brittle, yellowing grass rather than the lush green you were hoping for.
“To determine when to stop mowing your lawn for the season, look for signs like slowed growth, changes in leaf colour on nearby trees, and a consistent height of blades, while paying close attention to weather patterns,” advises James. “If frost is in the forecast, your grass will need a few weeks to strengthen its roots and prepare for winter dormancy.”
Why do Brits need to hang up their lawnmowers at different times?
It’s all down to our varied climate, with coastal dwellers often enjoying milder winters than those inland. The shorter days of winter drastically curb grass growth and as a general rule the time to stop cutting your grass is when the temperature dips below 10C.
James advised: “The goal should be to give your lawn one last cut before it goes dormant – which is impacted by the factors mentioned above along with the type of grass – but after it has stopped growing significantly.”
“By timing your last cut of the year perfectly, your lawn can enter the winter season with a healthy and lush appearance and a strong root system, laying the foundations for healthy growth and a quick recovery in spring.”
When to stop mowing your lawn for winter
Here’s a handy guide depending on where you’re based in the UK:
London – Late October
Bristol – 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
Newcastle – Late October to early November
Glasgow – Late October to early November
Edinburgh – Late October to early November
Cardiff – Late October
