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 has been the Content Editor for the House Manual section since January 2025 but worked with the team as a freelancer for a year and a half before that. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in English and Creative Writing from the University of Chichester in 2016. Then, she dipped her toe into the world of content writing, primarily focusing on home content. After years of agency work, she decided to take the plunge and become a full-time freelancer for online publications, including Real Homes and Ideal Home, before taking on this permanent role. Now, she spends her days searching for the best decluttering and cleaning hacks and creating handy how-to guides for homeowners and renters alike, as well as testing vacuums as part of her role as the Ideal Home Certified Expert in Training on Vacuums, having spent over 110 hours testing different vacuum models to date!
-
How to make your home safer while spring cleaning – the crucial safety task that will protect you and your family
With spring cleaning in full swing across the UK, FireAngel recommends you add fire safety to the top of your checklist
By Sponsored
-
'Dirty kitchens' are the luxury kitchen trend with practical appeal - here's why you need one
It's much more appealing than it sounds
By Holly Cockburn
-
Can you divide dahlia tubers in spring? Experts share their golden rules to get even more beautiful blooms this year but you need to act fast
Get this one right, and you'll be rewarded with plenty more dahlias come summer...
By Kayleigh Dray
-
Lidl garden range includes a genius hack to instantly make a patio look more expensive – and it's only £17
Is your patio decking looking a little tired? We suggest you head to your nearest Lidl right away
By Kezia Reynolds
-
Aldi's BBQ top pizza oven is back in time for summer – and it's even cheaper than last year
Any budding dough-spinners would be foolish to miss out on this bargain buy
By Kezia Reynolds
-
George Home's curved garden furniture collection has nailed this year’s hottest seating trend – these are our top picks from the collection
It's both comfortable and stylish
By Kezia Reynolds
-
IKEA's mini greenhouse has just launched in a stunning on-trend colourway – and it's only £15
The striking new blue colourway is perfect for seeing in the spring in style
By Kezia Reynolds
-
Habitat is selling the perfect lookalike for IKEA’s stylish garden furniture set – and it’s £870 cheaper!
IKEA's HAVSTEN outdoor furniture is sleek and stylish but not cheap by any means – but we've found an alternative
By Sara Hesikova
-
Social media can’t get enough of the striking Dunelm Santorini egg chair - but I’ve found a cheaper alternative at QVC that looks just as good
QVC seriously needs to be on your radar for some of the best stylish and comfortable garden furniture this summer
By Kezia Reynolds
-
George Home is bringing the disco trend to the garden with their stunning £16 planters - I'm seeing them all over social media
Not only is this a playful garden trend, but disco ball planters will add extra shine to your outdoor spaces
By Kezia Reynolds
-
This George Home garden furniture set sold out in days last year – it’s back in stock, but be quick before it’s gone again!
And it's the perfect lookalike for a designer cult favourite that's five times more expensive
By Sara Hesikova