Gardeners in Glasgow and the West of Scotland should carry out their final lawn cut of the year now, according to a gardening expert, making it the earliest of all major UK cities.
James Ewens, gardening expert at Green Feathers, said the optimal time for the last mow in the west of Scotland is mid-October. Those in Edinburgh can wait until the very end of October.
Why timing matters
Ewens explained: "Timing is everything when tending to your lawn. Once temperatures drop below 10 degrees Celsius, grass can simply stop growing. Leaving your lawn cut too late in super cold conditions can actually harm your grass long term, and if you stop mowing too early in the year, you’ll risk a messy lawn and weakened grass."
The predictions are based on factors including average temperatures, daylight hours, weather patterns and regional variations. Shorter daylight hours reduce photosynthesis, leading to slower growth, while cold snaps can bring the growing season to an abrupt halt.
Regional differences and advice
Microclimates within different regions of the UK can affect the timing of the last cut, with coastal areas potentially experiencing milder winters than inland regions.
Ewens advises gardeners to monitor their lawn closely throughout autumn, as weather conditions are generally unpredictable. As a general rule, gardeners should never cut more than a third of the grass blade length and should raise their mower height to improve airflow.
The goal is to give the lawn one final cut before it goes dormant over winter.
