For lawns, autumn is a transitional period characterized by falling temperatures, increased rainfall, and slower grass growth. Proper mowing at this time of year not only ensures an attractive appearance but also promotes root development. This allows the lawn to survive the winter and thrive again the following spring. Many people wonder, however: When should the last autumn cut be done? How should lawns be mowed at this time of year? This guide addresses these questions and offers practical tips, including information on robotic lawnmowers like the Segway Navimow, to make autumn garden care easier.
Contents
Until when is the last mowing possible in autumn?
The most important factors for mowing the lawn are temperature and grass growth. As long as the average daily temperature remains between 8 and 12 °C, the grass will continue to grow, albeit more slowly than in summer.
When temperatures consistently drop below 5°C and the ground freezes, grass growth ceases. Therefore, the last cutting should take place at this time. In Germany, this period typically falls between mid-October and early November, although there are regional variations: in southern areas, mowing can continue until mid-November, while in northern regions, mowing usually stops by the end of October.
A notice:
- Never mow your lawn on a frosty day when the grass is frozen. The blades are delicate and can be easily damaged. Wait until the frost has completely thawed before mowing.
Tips for mowing the lawn in autumn
1. Gradually increase the height of the lawn mower.
This is the most important principle for mowing in autumn.
Why?
- Nutrient storage: Longer blades enable more efficient photosynthesis, allowing carbohydrates and nutrients to accumulate. These are needed by the roots for winter survival, thus strengthening the lawn's root system.
- Cold protection: Longer blades of grass act like a protective "blanket" and protect the crown and topsoil of the lawn from frost damage.
- Weed control: A dense turf blocks sunlight and thus inhibits the germination of weeds in autumn.
What to do?
Start with the cutting height typical for late summer, for example 4–5 cm. Increase the cutting height gradually after each mowing.
For the last cut before winter, set the grass height to approximately 5–7 cm. This is the ideal overwintering height for German lawns during the cold season.
2. Determine the right time for the last mowing in autumn
As mentioned above, the last cut should be made between the end of October and mid-November, before the first hard frost sets in.
But how do you determine the right time? Besides checking the weather forecast, you can also observe the growth of your lawn. If you notice that growth has slowed significantly and long periods of time pass between mowings, this is a sign that the grass is about to enter its dormant phase. This is the ideal time for your last autumn cut.
Avoid mowing too early or too late. Mowing too early can lead to excessively dense grass in early autumn, resulting in poor aeration at the base and increased susceptibility to disease. Mowing too late, on the other hand, exposes the grass to severe cold, causing the tips to freeze and collapse. This can lead to thatch buildup the following spring, hindering new growth.
If you are using a robotic lawnmower, in addition to selecting suitable mowing times, it is of course equally important to ensure that the deactivation time of the robotic lawnmower is set correctly.
With robotic lawnmowers like the Segway Navimow i-Series, you can usually set a work schedule. This means you can use the mobile app to define regular working times and tasks for the mower. It will then work automatically, saving you a lot of time. However, be mindful of the weather conditions. Schedule the last mowing session before the first frost and deactivate the automatic working mode to prevent damage to the lawn.
A notice:
- Please note that when using a robotic lawnmower, you must carefully monitor the weather conditions and plan your mowing in advance. Due to their limited battery power, robotic lawnmowers typically cannot mow larger gardens in one go and require several passes. This process takes longer than using a conventional lawnmower, which can complete the job in one go.
3. Remove autumn leaves
Autumn lawn care includes regularly removing leaves, fruit, and broken branches from the lawn. This prevents the growth of mold and fungi, especially during cold, damp winters. When leaves cover the lawn, they block sunlight and impede oxygen circulation, making the lawn more susceptible to pests and diseases.
However, it's important to note that conventional lawnmowers and robotic mowers have different requirements when it comes to removing leaves from lawns. Regardless of the circumstances, you must first remove all fallen fruit and broken branches from the lawn. Conventional lawnmowers and robotic mowers typically struggle to handle such debris.
For conventional lawnmowers:
First, check if your lawnmower has a mulching mode. If so, simply activate it and mow your lawn as usual. The mower will then finely chop the leaves and grass clippings and distribute them evenly across the lawn, where they act as a natural fertilizer for the grass.
If your lawnmower doesn't have a mulching function, you'll first need to remove the fallen leaves from the lawn with a rake. It's also advisable to use a lawnmower with a grass catcher to prevent too much large clippings from remaining on the lawn surface and hindering grass growth.
For robotic lawnmowers:
If you use a robotic lawnmower, you usually have to remove the leaves first. Although most robotic lawnmowers are mulching mowers, they cannot process leaves. Leaves can block the blades or be detected as an obstacle by the robotic lawnmower.
For smaller amounts of light leaves, especially freshly fallen, thin, and dry leaves, robotic lawnmowers can use their mulching function. They shred the leaves into small pieces while mowing. These are then distributed over the lawn and serve as organic fertilizer.
4. Remove weeds from the lawn
Although most weeds cease growing in autumn, some can remain active on lawns throughout the autumn and winter months. Therefore, we must not be negligent in addressing weed problems during this time of year.
In principle, both conventional lawnmowers and robotic mowers can contribute to weed control on lawns to some extent. However, since they typically remove vegetation by cutting it, they usually only reduce weeds down to a certain height. Consequently, they suppress softer weeds, but if weeds have deep roots or are particularly tough, the mower may only be able to cut the above-ground part without removing them completely.
Compared to conventional lawnmowers, robotic lawnmowers have automated functions and can be programmed to mow more frequently. This allows for continuous lawn care, which theoretically suppresses weed growth more effectively through longer, more frequent mowing.
So how do you remove weeds? For small areas or lawns with few weeds, you can simply pull them out by hand, making sure to remove all the roots. For weeds with deeper roots, you can use special weeding tools such as a weeding knife or a weeding fork to dig up the root system.
If you can identify the type of weeds on your lawn, you can use a targeted herbicide. For example, COMPO Lawn Weed Killer Quattro is a very popular choice. However, care should be taken not to apply excessive amounts of herbicides during the autumn months to avoid harming the health of the lawn.
5. Fertilize the lawn correctly
Winter poses a significant challenge for lawns. Thorough care before the start of the season is therefore essential. A special autumn fertilizer should be used for the final fertilization. This is rich in potassium (K) and contains less nitrogen (N).
Potassium significantly improves the lawn's resistance to cold, drought, and disease, and complements the benefits of raising the mowing height to prepare for winter dormancy. The optimal application period is generally between September and early October.
6. Use a lawnmower and blades in good condition.
A well-maintained lawnmower and sharp blades are essential tools for mowing the lawn in autumn.
A sharp blade ensures a clean, smooth cut, leaving a smooth wound surface. This allows the grass blades to close and heal quickly. Conversely, a dull blade causes ragged wounds that are highly susceptible to bacterial infections and can lead to disease. Furthermore, clean cuts minimize damage to the lawn. This allows the grass plants to focus their energy on strengthening their roots and storing nutrients to withstand the winter cold, instead of wasting it repairing cuts. Finally, a well-maintained lawnmower ensures a consistent cutting height, resulting in an aesthetically pleasing lawn.
Therefore, I recommend taking a few minutes before the start of the autumn mowing season to check your lawnmower. Replace the blade if necessary. Generally, routine maintenance and replacement of components such as blades is less complicated on robotic lawnmowers than on conventional lawnmowers.
Recommended: A practical tool for mowing the lawn in autumn.
In autumn, you need a reliable helper that works reliably even in changeable weather conditions and varying grass conditions. We recommend the Segway Navimow i-series robotic lawnmowers.
For example, the extremely popular Segway Navimow i105 is ideal for small to medium-sized gardens up to 500 square meters. This robotic lawnmower boasts powerful features and achieves centimeter-level positioning thanks to EFLS 2.0 technology. When you're away from home, you can remotely control it via a smartphone app to adjust settings such as cutting height and mowing times, or to monitor progress. Therefore, you don't have to worry about missing the optimal time for mowing in the fall due to your absence.
Compared to conventional lawnmowers, robotic lawnmowers save you a lot of time and effort when mowing in the fall. Since robotic mowers maintain the lawn through regular mowing, they also effectively suppress weed growth. They are undoubtedly an environmentally friendly option worth considering.
Conclusion
Finally, we summarize the points mentioned above to help you understand the considerations regarding lawn mowing in autumn.
| measure | Most important point | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Time of last mowing in autumn | Late October to mid-November, before the first hard frost | Avoid letting the grass get too long in winter and mowing late when there is a risk of frost. |
| Cutting height | 5 - 7 cm | Nutrient storage, cold protection, weed suppression |
| Remove leaves | Remove leaves, fruit and broken branches from the lawn | Conventional lawnmowers with a leaf removal function can remove leaves directly during mowing, whereas with other conventional lawnmowers and robotic mowers, the leaves must be removed beforehand. |
| To ensure adequate lighting and reduce the risk of fungal infections and diseases. | ||
| Remove weeds from the lawn | Remove manually or with tools, use herbicides | To prevent weeds from depriving the lawn of nutrients |
| Fertilizing the lawn | Use a special potassium-rich autumn fertilizer. | Improves the lawn's resistance to cold, drought, and disease to ensure its nutrient needs are met for overwintering. |
| Cutting tool | In good condition, with sharp blades | It works efficiently, protects the lawn, and ensures a clean cut and an attractive appearance. |
In summary, mowing the lawn in autumn is of utmost importance. If done correctly, it helps the lawn survive the cold winter months and promotes its growth in spring. Therefore, a reliable tool is essential. A robotic lawnmower, such as the models in the Segway Navimow i-Series, can certainly be a great help when mowing your lawn in autumn.
FAQs about mowing in autumn
Should lime be applied to lawns in autumn?
In autumn, lime should not be applied to lawns; instead, a potassium-rich autumn fertilizer should be used. This ensures that the lawn receives all the necessary nutrients to withstand cold and frost in optimal condition.
When should I fertilize your lawn in autumn?
Autumn fertilization of lawns should take place after the last mowing of the lawn in autumn and before the first frost, which in Germany usually occurs between mid-October and the beginning of November.
May I leave the clippings from autumn on the lawn as mulch?
Caution is advised in autumn. If the clippings are very short and dry, you can leave them in a thin layer, as they act as a natural fertilizer. However, damp, long clippings tend to mat together in the cool autumn weather, forming a dense layer. This shades the lawn, promotes moss growth, and can encourage fungal diseases.
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