David Domoney urges gardeners to clear leaves from their lawns

Timothy Greene at iCANLAWN.com said: “It is a common misconception that grass stops growing during winter.

“It only slows down considerably and therefore there is no need to mow it. Grass begins growing at temperatures of 10 degrees and above, so if the day and night temperatures in your area are dropping below this, it’s time to put away the mower.”

In the UK, this typically means between mid-October onwards, but in southern parts, this could be as late as mid-November.

The expert added: “By consulting a two-week forecast, you should be able to forward plan your last mow by paying special attention to temperatures dropping below 10 degrees.”

Gardeners should also look out for frost, and plan to mow on a dry day to avoid damage to the grass.

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Tim continued: “For the last mow of the season, you should raise your lawnmower to the highest setting.

“Before mowing, make sure to remove any leaves from your lawn so they don’t clog up your mower, and only mow when the weather is dry and there is no frost or morning dew.

“After mowing make sure to remove any clippings as leaving these on your lawn can cause disease to form.

“With your last mow complete, now is a good time to get your lawn mower serviced. This means your blades will be sharp when spring returns, ready for the first spring now.”

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Throughout the winter months, gardeners should continually remove leaves from their lawns. According to an expert, this is one of the most important jobs.

Steve Taylor, lawn guru at GreenThumb, said: “Removing leaves from your grass is essential. Although they may seem harmless, allowing leaves to gather on your lawn will block out the sunlight and reduce air – two essential elements for your grass’ survival. 

“A clear lawn also helps reduce disease caused by trapped moisture.”

What’s more, collecting and saving the leaves allows for making leafmould, an invaluable soil improver.

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Allowing the grass to get as much sunlight as possible during autumn is another important job to keep on top of, making sure any blocking shrubs and bushes are cut back.

The expert added: “Not only is it important to cut back your hedges and bushes, but it’s also crucial to remove furniture from your grass, especially during cold and wet weather.

“The weight and lack of sunlight can create unsightly dead spots on the grass and come spring, the affected area will likely have stunted and thinner growth.”

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