Fall has arrived, but cooler temperatures don’t mean you should put away your garden tools just yet. You still have essential tasks to complete to prepare your yard for the winter ahead. And just when you thought it was time to pack away your lawn mower until spring, you may want to think again.
According to a lawn expert, gardeners need to continue mowing through October — because mild fall temperatures allow grass to keep growing.
Not only can this simple task promote a healthy, green lawn, but long grass can actually do more harm than good.
“Long grass holds on to moisture, especially with the damp mornings and heavy dew we get in fall,” says Jonathan Davis, a lawn expert at Lawnsmith.
“That creates the perfect conditions for fungal diseases like red thread and fusarium patch to take hold. Once they get a grip, they can leave your lawn looking patchy and sorry for itself by spring.”
What’s more, moss is one of the most common lawn weeds, known as a ‘silent grass killer’, that appears in the form of green, sponge-like patches between the blades of grass.
“Moss loves damp, shady spots, and at this time of year there’s plenty of both. If your grass is long and thick, the light can’t reach the base of it, meaning your lawn will struggle.”
So if you want to get your lawn in top shape for spring, here are some top tips for mowing your lawn in October.
How to cut your lawn in fall
Avoid cutting your grass too short; the ‘golden rule’ is to never trim more than a third of its height. This is because mowing too close to the ground exposes the lawn to root diseases and encourages weed growth.
“Never cut more than a third off the height of the grass in one go,” he said. “Think of grass like an iceberg: a fifth above ground and four fifths below,” adds Davis.
“Take too much off, and you reduce the roots, leaving the plant weak and more vulnerable to disease and weeds.”
In any case, if you are battling weeds, I asked professional gardeners how to get rid of weeds from my lawn permanently — and they all say this one thing.
In addition, Davis advises gradually changing your mower’s height for a couple of cuts before making the final adjustment. And don’t lower the blades if the grass is very long, as it’ll put strain on the mower. Ideally, cut on your current setting first, then go lower a day or two later.
Also, it’s best to get the timing right — choose a dry afternoon for mowing and avoid cutting when the grass is wet or frosty. “Wait for a dry spell and go over it when growth slows right down. A little effort now means a much healthier, greener lawn when spring comes round.”
When is the final cut of the year?
So when is it finally time to put away your lawn mower this season? Experts agree that around mid-November, you should leave the grass at around 5cm.
“That’s the sweet spot for winter,” adds Davis. “It’s long enough to protect the roots from frost and keep the crown healthy, but short enough that it won’t become a soggy, matted mess over the colder months.”
So before you put your mower to rest, give your grass that essential trim this October, and your lawn will thank you for it come spring.
For more top tips, check out how to overseed your lawn in fall.
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