Should you cut grass in November, or have you missed the boat? This is what the experts had to say
Time is running out
Thanks to a relatively mild October and November, lawns across the UK have grown wild. But if your lawn needs a haircut, it’s worth taking a moment to consider whether you should be cutting grass in November or not.
There are many lawn care tips out there, from mowing to aerating and even scarifying your lawn to ensure it remains happy and healthy throughout the year. However, sticking to a proper lawn care calendar is the only way to ensure the proper health and future growth of your grass - especially during the autumn months.
As you might already know, November is almost too late to sow grass seed, which probably puts all of your other gardening jobs in question. So, when is it actually too late to give your lawn some autumnal TLC and should you cut grass in November? We asked the experts whether you're too late.
Should you cut grass in November?
Experts generally agree that you should stop cutting your grass between October and the end of November. This will tidy up your garden and ensure that you don’t damage your lawn before the winter chill really arrives.
If you’re compiling your list of jobs to do in the garden in November, you might want to put mowing the lawn to the top of your list, as your window to cut your grass for the final time before winter is running out.
This ultimately depends on the weather, though. Chris McIlroy, lawn expert at The Grass People says, ‘Usually the last mow of the year is in October, but with how the forecast is looking at the moment, my guess is that lawns could still be mowed in November.
‘Grass grows in temperatures 8°C to 10°C and above, so if gardeners put their lawn mowers away now, they’ll find their lawns will still be growing,’ he adds.
Get the Ideal Home Newsletter
Sign up to our newsletter for style and decor inspiration, house makeovers, project advice and more.
However, November is probably your last cutting window before the temperatures drop below 8°C. So, once you’ve successfully completed your final cut, you can store your lawn mower for winter. Just remember to sharpen your lawn mower blades before doing this.
How to safely cut your grass in November
If your grass needs a trim this month, it’s good to know it’s possible. But if you want to ensure that your grass stays healthy over winter, it’s important to take a few precautions when cutting grass in November.
Time it perfectly: Timing is everything when it comes to autumn grass care. Lucy Rhead, gardening enthusiast at Gtech, says, ‘The best time to cut your grass is in the mid to late morning. The idea is to avoid cutting it too early when the morning dew makes the grass wet, but not too late in the evening either, as the grass needs time to recover before the night-time chill sets in.’ Plus, this will ensure that you don’t cut wet grass. You’re also advised to avoid mowing your lawn in November if frost is expected.
Don’t do it as often: If you abide by the lawn mowing calendar, you shouldn’t have to mow your lawn as often in November - and Lucy agrees. She says, ‘Grass grows slower in autumn than in spring and summer, so you don’t need to cut your grass as often! It’s recommended to cut fortnightly (rather than every week) to keep your lawn in the best condition.’
Raise the cutting height: Although you may feel inclined to give your grass a short back and sides in preparation for winter, your lawn still needs some protection during these colder months. So, you should raise the cutting height if you want to cut your grass in November. Morris Hankinson, Managing Director of Hopes Grove Nurseries, advises, 'Set your mower to a higher setting than usual, leaving the grass a bit longer (around 5–6 cm) to help protect it against the cold. Before you mow, clear any leaves off the lawn to allow more sunlight to reach the grass.'
If cordless won in the corded vs cordless lawn mower debate, this is a great option. It's super easy to set up, lightweight and has great cutting power.
FAQs
What month should you not mow your lawn?
Most experts advise against mowing your lawn in December and January, mainly because there is no need. After all, grass stops growing when the temperatures plummet, so you shouldn’t have to mow it.
However, this all depends on the temperature at the time. If we continue to have mild winters, you may need to trim your lawn occasionally, rather than leaving it until spring. If that’s the case, you’ll need to ensure that you only cut off a small amount at a time to avoid exposing the soil to the cold and frost.
Is November too late to scarify the lawn?
Unlike mowing, November is too late to scarify your lawn. Although this process can be extremely beneficial for your lawn, it can also be extremely stressful and expose your lawn to the elements - which is something you don’t want to do just before winter.
In fact, scarifying your lawn in November could seriously damage or even kill your grass, so it’s just not worth the risk. You should instead wait until the spring (April - May) to do this garden task.
Lauren Bradbury is a freelance writer and major homes enthusiast. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in English and Creative Writing from the University of Chichester in 2016, before dipping her toe into the world of content writing. After years of agency work, writing everything from real-life stories to holiday round-ups, she decided to take the plunge and become a full-time freelancer in the online magazine world. Since then, she has become a regular contributor for Real Homes and Ideal Home, and become even more obsessed with everything interior and garden related. As a result, she’s in the process of transforming her old Victorian terraced house into an eclectic and modern home that hits visitors with personality as soon as they walk through the door.
-
Inexpensive bedroom flooring ideas to transform your sleep space
Don't let your budget stop you from creating the bedroom of your dreams, with our round up for flooring ideas that won't break the bank
By Holly Walsh
-
I got my hands on Ninja's sold out espresso machine. Here's why this one is worth signing up to the mailing list for
Ninja's first foray into the world of coffee will have newbies to bean-to-cup machines becoming pros with ease
By Molly Cleary
-
What to do if your neighbour's tree is dropping leaves in your garden
It might be frustrating, but it's not all bad news...
By Kayleigh Dray
-
Can you save a plant that's been exposed to frost? How to tell if it's too late, and what to do with frostbitten plants
Here's what the experts say...
By Sophie King
-
How deep to plant crocus bulbs - experts reveal the exact depth required to prevent bulb rot and encourage growth
You definitely don’t want to plant too deep…
By Lauren Bradbury
-
5 houseplants that can replace a Christmas tree – with styling tips from indoor plant experts
You can decorate these houseplants like a Christmas tree
By Sophie King
-
Can you kill weeds in autumn? Experts reveal that completing this task now could keep your garden weed-free next year
Get a head start to keep next year’s garden weed-free
By Lauren Bradbury
-
Why is my cyclamen drooping? 5 reasons this happens - and how to perk it up in time for Christmas, according to experts
Don’t worry; there’s plenty you can do to perk your cyclamen back up
By Lauren Bradbury
-
How to prune forsythia – the all-important task to tackle to guarantee spring flowering
It's the key to vibrant blooms
By Sophie King
-
Can you put battery-operated lights outside in winter? The dos and don’ts to follow if you want to successfully brighten up your garden
Battery-operated outdoor lights can really shine in winter… within reason
By Lauren Bradbury
-
Best Christmas houseplants – 5 plants that bloom over the festive period for cheerful indoor displays
Looking for plants that flower over Christmas? Right this way...
By Sophie King