'Clear sign' this needs to be the last time you cut your lawn this year (original) (raw)

As the chilly weather of autumn rears its head, raking leaves and keeping weeds at bay is one thing to think about, as is the all-important question of when to stop mowing the grass

Autumn is the perfect time to mow the lawn for the final time

Many gardeners spend the entire summer pre-occupied with the state of their lawn.

But now we're firmly in autumn and experiencing the dreary weather that comes with it, it's time to turn attention to other kinds of maintenance around the home and garden - like raking leaves and taking care of weeds.

There is one more consideration - when to stop mowing the grass.

As leaves tumble to the ground and the autumnal chill rears its head, grass growth will slow close to a halt.

Gardening expert Fiona Jenkins, who works for MyJobQuote.co.uk, has given the exact date gardeners should make their last cut.

She said: "As the seasons change, you will start to notice the growth of your grass begins slowing down.

"When the first frost comes along, this is usually a clear sign that it's time to put your mower in storage until the following spring."

Fiona added that the "best time" is in autumn, adding: "The last cut should be between late September and late October.

"The timeframes can vary depending on your location in the UK and the climate in your area.

"For a more accurate timeframe, I would advise you to pay close attention to your lawn to determine when is best for the last cut."

The clearest indicator is when the grass stops growing and the ground remains dry, but Brits shouldn't continue cutting every couple of weeks until this point.

"Fiona added that technique is also important. She explained: "For the last cut of the season, you want to make sure you cut your grass as short as you possibly can.

"The lawn may still grow slightly for a while after the last cut before the frost stunts the growth.

"If you cut your grass short, this will prevent the need for any further cuts until next year, even if the lawn does grow slightly."

Another expert revealed how it's wise to steer clear of heavy pruning for most plants in October. Some plants you'll want to only lightly prune, or avoid pruning altogether.

Plants to dodge pruning in October include spring-blooming shrubs. If you prune spring-flowering shrubs in October, you risk removing flower buds for the next year's blooms.

Examples of these shrubs include lilacs (Syringa), forsythia, and azaleas. Trees should also be avoided for heavy pruning in October, especially deciduous trees.

Late pruning can make them vulnerable to winter damage, and they may not have sufficient time to heal before winter.

Roses are another plant to be cautious with if you live in a region with cold winters, it's generally best to avoid heavy pruning of roses in October.