“I thought I Could Wait”: That Last Lawn Mowing that Many Forget in September
Winter is the right season to leave the lawn alone. But before that, how long can we mow it and when to plan a final mowing session? Explanations.
When was the last lawn mowing before winter?
November: a decisive month to stop mowing before winter
The second half of November is often the time of the last mowing of the lawn before winter.
But, it can also depend on the climate and climatic conditions of the Autumn. We can therefore still plan, in certain cases, a final mowing in mid-December.
Observing grass growth: a clue that should not be overlooked when mowing one last time
By regularly observing the lawn, you can see as soon as its growth slows down.
Observing the weather is also an important part of deciding the right time to mow the lawn. When temperatures drop and winter sets in, it can be considered a good time to mow.
Important: Mowing must be done during dry periods: it is therefore necessary to determine the right time to mow.
The right cutting height
For this last mowing, we adjust the cutting height is approximately 7 cm and we don’t go below to allow wildlife to stay in place. In addition, by not cutting too short, we offer the soil and the root system of the lawn protection during the winter period.
How to organize the last mowing of the lawn?
Mowing times and regulations
If you decide that the best mowing day is Sunday, pay attention to the regulations. The legislation is strict on noise pollution, both at night and during the day, and making noise on weekend days and public holidays can expose you to sanctions.
Localities may have additional decrees on good neighborly rules as well as co-ownerships. So take all the useful information before starting your lawn mowing.
Removing cut grass: a must after mowing the lawn
In order not to damage the lawn, it is important d’carefully remove grass that has been mowed. In fact, leaving it there would risk suffocating the lawn. In addition, the decomposition of cut grass could then facilitate the invasion of pests and the development of diseases.
Also collect them dead leaves on the surface of the grass for the same reasons.
Don’t throw away the grass from the last lawn mowing though!
With a final mowing before winter, and the fact that the grass must not be left on the surface of the lawn, you can mulch other plants, particularly perennials and shrubs. If you still have cut grass left, compost it.
What are the important actions to take before/after a final mowing?
Preparing and protecting the lawn before winter
The last mowing of the lawn before winter is an opportunity to prepare for the winter period and ensure that the lawn remains in good condition.
We can therefore take advantage of it to:
- fertilize to then allow better resistance to frost. For this we will favor fertilizers sufficiently rich in potassium and antifungal ingredients. These fertilizers can gradually diffuse nutrients which will enrich the soil throughout the cold season.
- reduce mowing frequencies well before the last mowing. At the end of the season, mowing once a month is already sufficient.
- aerate the lawn as fall approaches and when root growth is active. Aeration will allow nutrients to be better absorbed.
- fill in the bare areas : when you notice that there are holes in certain places on the lawn, you must re-seed these areas, favoring the month of September. After loosening the soil, using a rake, you can add grass seedlings and water the reseeded area.
- Water without excess but sufficiently depending on the region. Depending on the type of soil and the nature of the grass, as well as local weather conditions, you must be able to find the right balance for suitable watering.
- Carefully remove all plant debris and, regularly, check the lawn to remove twigs and dead leaves that have fallen on the grass.
Checking and storing mowing equipment
Before putting your mowing equipment in the garage or storage room with your tools, you must check that the interior has been thoroughly cleaned and cleared of grass residue.
The storage location is important because it should neither be too humid nor lack ventilation so that your tools and lawn mower do not become damaged.
Today, robotic lawnmowers are very successful. They should also be stored carefully after being locked. Choose a premises that is sheltered from bad weather and frost-free. The head of the robotic lawnmower, which is the part containing all the electronics, must be carefully protected using a waterproof protective cover.
After the last mowing before winter, you will be able to fully enjoy your interior without having to worry about mowing. The first mowing after winter generally does not occur until mid-March or very early April. Here again, you will need to carefully observe the weather conditions and avoid the occurrence of episodes of late frost before deciding on a first mowing.
Before entering the winter season, we always ask ourselves when is the best time to mow our lawn and when is the deadline to mow one last time before the first cold weather arrives. The final mowing must take into account the climate and the quality of the grass. We will take advantage of a final mowing and the preceding periods to boost the quality of the lawn through some important actions for its growth (fertilization, aeration, watering, etc.). In addition, with a cut of around 6 or 7 cm, the lawn will be able to cope better with the arrival of winter.