The last time you mowed the lawn before winter

When was the last time you mowed the grass, before winter. Mowing the lawn last fall for the last time

When was the last time you mowed the grass, before winter. Mowing the lawn last fall for the last time

During the warm season, lawn care needs to be done. One of the most troublesome activities is mowing the lawn. It needs to be done every 7-10 days, depending on the temperature of the soil, its composition and moisture.

The closer you get to winter, the colder the air and therefore the soil. Therefore, the growth rate is significantly reduced. And some lawn owners think that it is possible not to mow the lawn for the winter and stop giving it enough attention. This is a fatal mistake. The grass, albeit slowly, continues to grow. As a result, the grass grows, withers from the first cold and lies on the ground, covering it in a thick carpet.

The frozen grass lies on the ground.

Everything seems to be in order. But in the spring, mowed grass can be a barrier to young grass and greatly reduce the rate of growth, which is unlikely to please any landowner. When is the last time to mow the grass? Unfortunately, it is impossible to give unambiguous advice. Everything depends not only on the region and climate, but also on the weather in a particular year. So just make sure that the grass is not too long.

When it reaches a length of 7-8 centimeters, carry out one mowing.

As the cool nights arrive, the grass grows very rarely, so the place very rarely needs to be insured. However, don’t be overzealous. Cut the grass no shorter than two centimeters. Otherwise, you risk leaving the grass completely devoid of the nutrients it needs to recover as quickly as possible in the spring. If the fall is unusually warm and the grass has time to grow back to three or three inches, mow the lawn again.

Don’t hesitate to mow the grass or leave it long enough. It is better to have it grow a little shorter than too long. This flaw corrects itself and fairly quickly. But thick, dried out and half-rotten grass should be removed in spring.

What to do with the grass clippings? There are two options. You can send them to a compost pile or simply scatter them along beds that have already been harvested (if any). Tender, fresh lawn grass will decompose fairly quickly, and in the spring you’ll get fresh humus, which will be a great fertilizer for planting. In the latter case, you won’t have to pull the grass into the compost pile first and then into the beds in the spring.

Example of a rotted lawn grass root

Don’t worry about the grass drying out on your lawn. Diurnal temperature changes usually provide enough dew for the grass to form. If the temperature suddenly rises to +30 degrees in the shade after late September, you may well water your lawn. But this happens very rarely.

Do I have to mow the grass in autumn? How to prepare the lawn for winter?

Every autumn, every dacha owner and gardener prepares his plot for winter. At the same time, you should not forget about the lawn. A green lawn requires even more care than ordinary garden and vegetable plants.

It is very important to stop watering in time. There is usually enough rainfall in September. Nature gives the grass enough moisture, so the frequency of watering in September is reduced. And in mid-October, watering can be stopped completely.

Even the preparation for winter takes place in several stages. Namely:

• First of all, it is necessary to take in hand a rake, preferably a fan rake. With the help of this tool, a thorough cleaning of lawn plantings from dirt, dry leaves and dried grass is carried out;
• Next, it is necessary to mow the lawn. Many have noticed that grass grows more slowly in the fall. Therefore, it is necessary to mow less often than in summer. The most important thing is that the grass on the lawn in winter is not higher than 5-7 centimeters. When was the last time you mowed? In the middle belt of our country, the last mowing is carried out at the beginning of October. After that, the grass will no longer grow. However, this rule does not apply to the southern regions. There are warm temperatures there for a long time, so mowing should be carried out as needed. Don’t forget to remove grass clippings. If it is left behind, your property will provide a perfect breeding ground for a variety of small rodents. And these animals will do a lot of damage to your well-maintained and beautiful lawn;
• The next step in preparing for winterization will be to aerate the soil. This process is necessary to drain the soil and bring air to the rhizomes. Aeration itself is nothing complicated. It is enough to take a garden fork and use it to pierce the soil under the lawn grass to a depth of 30 centimeters. Such punctures are made at intervals of 30-40 centimeters. When aerating, it is advisable to slightly raise the soil so that more fresh air can get to the roots. After this operation, you should not walk on the lawn for two to three days. But here there is one nuance. If the soil is sandy, you can do without aeration. Such floors themselves perfectly conduct both water and air.
• During this period, fertilizers are also applied to the soil. As a rule, it will be phosphorus-potassium compounds. Here it should be noted that after the application of such fertilizers, it is necessary to water the lawn grass. If this is not done, the phosphorus-potassium compounds can burn the plants.

When the grass stops growing, to what height to cut the grass

While permanent leaf removal is not critical for lawn grasses and cutting is not life-threatening, you should keep in mind that it is quite a noticeable strain. Cut areas become a “gateway” for diseases, through them the grass loses moisture intensively. So that the plants recover quickly and painlessly, do not shorten them by more than 1/3 of their length immediately, but water and fertilise generously after cutting.

If the grass is cut unevenly and too low, it will weaken quickly and weeds and moss will appear on the lawn. If the plants are not cut deep enough, side shoots will not actively develop and grass growth will be sparse and patchy. Also, the lower part of the leaves and stems will become pale because of the lack of sunlight, and the lawn will become spotty.

The optimum grass height depends on the purpose of the lawn being grown, its condition at the time of mowing and its age.

The legendary English parterre lawn at home has a grass height of only 1 – 2 cm, but in our climatic conditions mowing to this height leads to a hard layer of grass and drying out. Our parterre lawns include the so-called European style with a grass height of 3 – 4 cm.

Decorative garden grass is mowed to a height of 4 – 7 cm.

Sports lawns for soccer, field hockey or rugby are sown with grasses that are resistant to treading and mowed to a height of 3 – 4 cm. Lawns on golf courses are sown and mowed to different heights depending on the location using different grass mixtures. They are taken care of by experienced specialists in their field.

In summer, when the weather is dry and hot, the grass cutting height should be increased somewhat. This increases the shading of the soil and reduces soil drying.

The height of the first mowing of young lawns should not be lower than 8 – 10 cm, further on the functional and decorative garden lawn for two years will be up to 5 – 7 cm, and on the ground lawn – to mowed 4 – 5 cm.

For some reason, the grass ceiling on the lawn has reached a height well above the norm, you should not bring it to the planned height in one go. As mentioned above, no more than 1/3 of the length of the plant can be removed at one time. This means that it will take several mowings to get the lawn in order.

Lawn mulch for the winter. Lawn mulch

Lawn care includes several important components – combing out, watering, fertilizing, mowing, and aerating – but mulch should be at the top of that list. Constant rains, droughts, wind gusts and other unfavorable natural factors test the strength of beautiful green lawns and do not always keep the surface in good condition. When its integrity is compromised, nutrients quickly leach from the soil, the plant root system weakens, and the grass ceiling loses its decorative qualities. Mulch prevents negative changes in the appearance of the lawn because it:

• Check water circulation in the soil and improve air exchange;
• Reduce soil moisture on hot summer days.
• Make the increased thickness of the lawn layer more durable and stable;
• Influence accelerated growth of young shoots;
• Maintain the lawn’s ornamental appearance and layering;
• Many times increase its level of resistance to various natural changes and weather moods.

How and what to mulch your lawn with

Lawn mulching is most often done in two ways. The easiest way is to leave mowed and well-cut grass on the surface of the green lawn. A thin layer of such grass mulch of approximately equal thickness should cover the entire surface of the lawn. It is very important that the grass cuttings are thoroughly shredded, without any residue of large stems or leaves. If the lawn is regularly mowed, there will be no problem with such a mulch cover.

The mulch layer should not be made thick and dense. When more grass clippings are added to lawns for mulching, they will become airborne and can become a source of infection and spread of fungal diseases. Dull rains will contribute to this, causing the grass cover to decompose and infect young plants with bacteria and fungus. To prevent this, it is recommended that you sharpen the accumulated layer of mulch about three to four times a year and then comb the lawn with a steel rake. If this is not taken care of, bare patches will appear, which can only be corrected by replacing the old lawn with a new one.

The second method of mulching is done in the fall, when the last lawn mowing of the season is completed. Such mulching is necessary to form a full and nutrient-poor layer of soil, as well as to prepare the lawn for the winter period.

Composition of mulch

• Well-decomposed peat or decomposed manure (you can use stale sawdust or well-sanded tree bark) – 1 part;
• Coarse-grained river sand – half part (on sandy soil) or two parts (on clay soil);
• Garden soil – one part.

One and a half kilograms of prepared mulching mixture is recommended to contribute to each square meter of lawn area.

Features of autumn mulching

In order to prepare a quality mulch mixture, it is necessary to carefully prepare each component before mixing. It is recommended that all components are first of all well cleaned and sifted, then leave for some time to dry, and only after that you can combine all the parts in the necessary proportions.

The mixture should be applied in a thin layer (no more than 0,5 cm) so that the grass on the lawn remains above the mulch layer. It is necessary to fill the existing voids in place, but it is not necessary to create bumps.

During fall mulching, both lawn aeration and fertilization are recommended. Fertilizers (most of them) can be added to the mulch mixture and the mixture can only be applied to the area (especially with clay soil) after prior preparation. Plant debris should be removed with a rake, and a garden rake should be used to make soil punctures to a depth of about 10-15 cm across the lawn.

Autumn mulching will perfectly prepare the lawn for the spring and will take a little time and effort.

Do I have to mow my lawn in Autumn? Fall lawn care and preparation for winter

At the same time, a thick green lawn can serve as the design of the territory of the cottage or as a background for flower beds, combining as a single element, as well as other types of vegetation. It is therefore important to properly care for it by mowing the grass, removing irregularities and feeding the soil. During transitional periods, especially in the fall, the lawn requires special attention. After all, the next season in place of a green lawn can be a very unpleasant picture, and the grass will have to grow again.

To avoid this, you need to perform a number of simple steps each year.

We will need the following tools

A brief list of works:

1. Stop watering.
2. Do the final mowing (approximate dates are given below).
3. Nourish the soil.
4. Aerate.
5. Cover the lawn with mulch.

We will look at each article in more detail.

Watering the lawn in autumn

It is traditionally believed that with the onset of September in central Russia will come the rainy season. However, miracles happen with the weather these days, so it is better to be guided by actual events. As soon as the autumn rains start to fall, watering the lawn can safely be reduced to a minimum and completely stopped on the eve of the first frosts.

If you miss the moment, you can cause excessive moisture in the soil, which will have a negative effect on the lawn: the grass can get sick or start to rot. Frosts will kill the root system, and next year you will have to start seeding from scratch.

Do I have to mow my lawn in the fall?

Many people ask themselves this question. The answer is obvious. The lawn must be mowed in the winter. In addition, there are certain rules for this.

In summer, the lawn can be mowed almost weekly. In autumn, the temperature drops and the soil cools, slowing the growth of plants. For this reason, this procedure is carried out less and less often. The last time should be two weeks before the first frost.

If everything is left to its own devices and the lawn is covered by a dense field in winter, the grass will go under the snow.

Failure to mow can have a number of negative consequences:

• Mice can nest in the grass under the snow;
• In the spring, remnants of wilted vegetation prevent new shoots from breaking through;
• the chance of rotting increases.

Fertilizing the soil in winter

Fertilize the soil and choose a fertilizer according to the soil conditions of your plot. It is traditionally believed that in winter it is better to reduce the use of nitrogen fertilizers (as they not only give the grass a richer color, but also promote the growth of greenery) and feed phosphorus and potassium (help the development of the root system). System).

In case your lawn is planted on sandy or low-magnesium soil, it is also recommended to apply fertilizers with a deoxidizer. Limestone powder, for example. This increases the effectiveness of the fertilizer and neutralizes the acidity of the soil, which is harmful to plants.

It is advisable to apply the fertilizer on dry, windless days before the cold weather sets in.

floor ventilation.

Carrying out this work helps to saturate the soil with oxygen and organize the natural exchange of air. This improves drainage and avoids the formation of puddles and ice, which often lead to bare spots during the winter due to freezing of certain areas of the grass cover.

The only exception when you can do without aeration are sandy soils. In these conditions, natural drainage independently removes moisture and protects against freezing from accumulated moisture.

When working, you can use an aerator or an ordinary garden fork. With this procedure is best carried out in dry, sunny weather – so the effect will be maximum.

When aerating the lawn, the turf should be lifted slightly off the ground to ensure sufficient oxygenation and aeration and to improve drainage. After the work is done, it is recommended that you do not walk on the lawn for a few days. During this time, it will rest, sink, and take on its original appearance.

Turf mulching

Vegetation left on the surface during the winter can cause a number of unpleasant consequences for the lawn due to the accumulation of moisture in the dying cover, which also contributes to the development of various diseases.

To prevent this, it is recommended to mulch the soil. A mixture of peat and dry compost is used to cover the turf with a protective layer.

Making your lawn winter-proof: what you need to do in autumn to make your lawn survive the winter well

To care for the lawn in the fall and prepare it for winter, some simple measures should be followed: timely mowing, ventilation and fertilization. Read our article on what else you need to know about lawn care before winter.

A well-maintained and healthy lawn is an ornament to the suburbs. In order not to think about how to restore the frozen lawn at the beginning of the next season, now take care of the grass on your property. We’ll tell you how to care for your lawn in the fall so you can really get it ready for winter.

Water your lawn in the fall.

Typically in our latitudes comes the fall season with its constant companion – rainy weather. The soil gets plenty of moisture in September, so you should only water your lawn in autumn when it is dry (once every 5-7 days). The sprinkling method is a great option, but under no circumstances should puddles be allowed to form on the lawn, as. This can lead to rotting.

Lawn watering is usually scheduled for October so that the floor doesn’t get soaked and the grass doesn’t weaken and get sick before the cold weather arrives.

When do I mow my lawn in the fall?

If in summer the grass on the plot is cut about 1-2 times a week, in the fall this process will occur less often. The number of mowings is gradually reduced because the temperature of the floor decreases and the plants slow down their growth.

You should not do without mowing the lawn altogether in the fall, as too tall grass resigns with the onset of frost and thereby disrupts the growth of new shoots. The optimum height of grass before wintering is 6-8 cm.

The question of when you should last mow your lawn in the fall can be answered this way: If you know from the weather forecast when frosts are coming, do the mowing 2 weeks before that time. For the midlands this is early October, for the south it is mid to late October, and in northern regions the last lawn mowing before winter is done in late September.

Fertilizing in the fall

The first thing to think about when choosing a fertilizer for rasin in the fall is not nitrogen! This element helps accelerate the growth of green mass, and this is not what the plant needs to prepare for frost.

For a successful winter of the plant it is important to strengthen the root system, not the above-ground part, so the fertilizer rasin autumn should contain phosphorus and potassium.

7-10 days before the expected frosts, fertilize the lawn with bone meal, applying 2-3 cups per 1 m². This lowers the acid content and gradually saturates the lawn with nutrients so that the grass begins to grow very early in the spring. Feeding with double superphosphate is effective, consumption: 50-70 g per 1 sq. m.

Potassium increases the grass resistance to diseases and gives it strength. Suitable for autumn fertilizing:

, or potassium sulfate (20-30 g per 1 sq.m.);
• Potassium magnesia (30-60 g per 1 sq m);
• Potassium salt (30-40 g per 1 sq.m.), etc.

In stores you can buy fertilizers that are specifically designed for use in the winter, they are usually called fall fertilizers. When the weather gets dry, water the lawn and let the grass dry out before applying fertilizer. Water again after 2 days if it hasn’t rained in that time.

Lawn Ventilation in the Fall

To oxygenate your lawn, you need to ventilate it, and fall is no exception. If you don’t have ventilation, take an ordinary garden pitchfork and slightly lift the lawn layer, stinging the ground and aiming for a slight tilt. This is best done in dry weather.

A few helpful tips on how to poke through turf with a pitching tool: r

• Make punctures at a distance of 20 to 30 cm.
• The correct depth of the puncture is 15 to 20 cm. This will help moisture penetrate deep into the soil and facilitate the formation of an ice crust on the surface of the lawn.
• For 2-3 days after the procedure, do not allow the lawn to walk on it.

There are two opposing views on the question of whether or not you should remove leaves from your lawn in the fall. Some say that in nature, leaf fall is natural, which means the leaves can remain unaffected throughout the area. But this is too categorical: A lawn is an artificial landscape, so the “naturalness” rule doesn’t work with it. If leaves are left on the lawn, it shrinks under a layer of snow, which affects the normal development of grass.

Lawn plants for fall.

At the end of the season, when the air is already well humid and drought is unlikely, you can sow your lawn. Autumn lawn planting is suitable if the area has not been prepared for sowing in the spring. The optimum time to sow your lawn in the fall is from mid to late September. Some gardeners recommend winter seeding in November.

When sowing in September, the plants’ root system has time to get stronger. With the first light frosts and seeding in November, the application rate recommended by the manufacturer increases by 20-50%. Proponents of winter sowing argue that light frosts only weaken young plants, and the lawn gets good moisture and frost resistance.

Subcymic lawn seeding is not suitable for a sloping site: As spring arrives, the seeds will be washed from the bottom by melt water in late fall.

The soil for the lawn is prepared a few weeks before sowing: dig the bottom, select stones and get rid of weeds, and compact them. A week before sowing, use a complex mineral fertilizer (it is better to buy a special one for lawns). The seeds are distributed in a fan and over the plot, and then embedded with a rake. Then they are covered and watered with a thin layer of peat.

If your location is in a low-lying area, take care of lawn drainage. To do this, remove the top layer of soil, pour gravel, broken bricks or other construction debris. Then pour coarse river sand (10 cm layer) and place a topsoil layer. All the layers spend a roller or a large protocol.

In conclusion – a few words about the care of rolled lawn in the fall. The prerequisites for the care of this type of lawn are no different from the care of a classic lawn. In addition, this kind of lawn can be laid even in late autumn – in December. If you want to learn more about the features of grass lawn, read our material on this topic.

How to create a green lawn on the plot in the shortest possible time? We talk about lawn installation and lawn care.