In the crisp chill of November, your lawn too feels the change in weather. As the days get shorter and the nights cooler, it’s essential to know how to care for your grass and garden effectively.
This comprehensive guide aims to answer some of the most pressing questions about November lawn care, ensuring that your lawn stays healthy and vibrant through the winter months.
Following some simple November lawn care tips can really make a difference to your lawn over winter:
- Help your lawn withstand the cold winter conditions
- Make it more resilient to lawn disease
- Prepare you lawn for next spring
- Control Moss in your Lawn
What Should I Do With My Grass In November?
November is a crucial time to prepare your grass for the upcoming winter months. Although growth slows down during this period, it doesn’t mean you should neglect your lawn.
Here are some quick tips:
Rake the Leaves: Remove fallen leaves from your lawn regularly to prevent it from being smothered and to reduce disease and long term problems. It is important to ensure your lawn isn’t blocked from light and moisture as this will block it from getting the essential nutrients it requires.
Keep it Clean : Make sure to remove any garden furniture, children’s toys or anything else that’s lying around on your lawn to prevent dead patches.
Aerate the Soil: Compacted soil hinders water absorption and root growth so it is important to aerate your lawn to improve water drainage and air circulation. It is also allows for better nutrient absorption which will enable fertilisers to work better on your lawn. You should avoid aerating your lawn where there is a frost or if your lawn is waterlogged.
Fertilise your Lawn: It is important to feed your lawn with a specialized Autumn/ Winter Lawn Feed in November. This will help to strengthen your lawn for the winter allowing it to be more resilient. For more information please read our article on How to Apply Lawn Fertiliser.
Can You Still Cut Grass In November In The UK?
The simple answer is yes, however mowing your lawn in November requires a tailored approach due to unpredictable UK weather, so it’s essential to adjust your mowing routine accordingly.
Tips for mowing your lawn in November
If the lawn is not too wet or frozen, you can give your lawn a light trim. Keeping the grass a bit longer than usual can also help it to withstand the colder months better.
Trim Your Lawn: Grass growth slows down, but an occasional trim may still be needed for lawn maintenance and to keep it looking tidy.
Raise Mowing Height: Aim for a higher cut than usual to help the grass access more light and nutrients. Raise the mower height by 1- 2 settings.
Weather Conditions: Mowing should only be done when the lawn is neither frozen nor waterlogged to avoid lawn damage. Monitor the weather forecast to choose a dry day for mowing.
Sharp Mower Blades: Use sharp mower blades for a clean and efficient cut and keep up with your lawn mower maintenance.
Avoid Cutting the lawn when wet: Cutting wet grass is generally not recommended as it can compact the soil and cause uneven cuts. However, if you have no other option due to unpredictable UK weather, ensure your mower blades are sharp and take your time to avoid skidding or damaging the turf.
Should I Feed My Lawn In November?
Feeding your lawn in November can be beneficial, particularly if you haven’t done so earlier in the autumn.
It is important to choose a fertiliser which is specifically designed for the autumn and winter period as these feeds have less nitrogen in which is more suitable for your lawn during the cold weather conditions.
Choose a slow-release, granular fertilizer that has potassium, nitrogen and phosphorus in it. Our Autumn/ Winter Lawn Feed is perfect for this time of year and will provide your lawn with the essential nutrients to keep it green and healthy.
These nutrients will help to strengthen your lawn for the winter and will help it be more resilient to moss, weeds and lawn diseases
Fertilising your lawn early in November can set the stage for quicker recovery and lusher growth when spring arrives. Your lawn will have the nutrient foundation it needs to spring back to life as the temperatures start to rise, giving you a head start on lawn care in the new year.
It is important to water the fertiliser granules in so apply before rain or water in using a hose or sprinkle.
-
From: £19.99
-
From: £55.77
Can You Scarify The Lawn In November?
Scarifying your lawn in November isn’t generally recommended due to the cold and harsh weather conditions starting to approach.
Scarification can be quite stressful for your lawn, exposing the soil and making it more susceptible to frost and freeze damage meaning it can end up doing more harm than good.
With winter just around the corner, your lawn may not have sufficient time to recover before the colder weather sets in. Performing the procedure on overly wet soil can lead to compaction and other long-term issues for your lawn.
If you lawn needs scarifying now, it’s best to wait till early spring time once the temperatures start to pick back up and grass growth starts to increase.
If you do urgently need to get rid of thatch or debris on your lawn in November using a garden rake could be the best option.
Can You Apply A Moss Treatment To Your Lawn In November?
Although moss can be an issue that can affect your lawn all year round, it is more common in the cooler and wetter months so don’t be alarmed if you see rapid moss growth in your lawn over the autumn and winter period.
It is important we tackle moss in our lawns as if it’s left on the grass it can block out sunlight and nutrients causing your lawn to suffocate which in the long term can kill areas of your lawn.
November is a great time to apply our fast acting moss treatment for lawns (Iron Sulphate Max Strength). This Iron Sulphate based product will turn moss black and help green up your grass. It can also help protect against lawn diseases.
-
From: £17.99
It is beneficial to treat moss in your lawn to help avoid long term problems:
Timely Moss Prevention: Applying moss control in November helps to proactively address moss growth before winter, when moss can thrive due to increased moisture and reduced sunlight.
Better Lawn Health: Moss can suffocate grass by blocking light and nutrients. Treating it in November ensures your lawn remains healthy and vibrant, ready to bounce back in the spring.
Easier Application: November’s moist soil conditions can make the moss control chemicals more effective as they require moisture to be activated, ensuring better absorption and coverage.
Winter Readiness: Moss control in November helps prepare your lawn for the winter months, reducing the moss burden and giving your grass a better chance to thrive.
Spring Head Start: Taking care of moss issues in November provides a head start for the spring season, allowing you to focus on other lawn care activities when warmer weather arrives.
Can I Overseed My Lawn In November?
Although spring and autumn are the optimal times for seeding your lawn, there is still an option to seed your lawn going into November providing you choose a specialist grass seed mix which is tolerant to the cooler weather conditions.
Our Winter Active Grass Seed is the most popular grass seed to use at this time of year as it’s the most tolerant mix to be able to withstand the cooler temperatures. It requires temperatures of above 5 degrees consistently for the grass seed to germinate.
This grass seed is fast growing from temperatures above 5 degrees and will leave you with professional results. It is perfect for overseeding patches or sowing a new lawn from scratch. For more information please read our article on how to overseed your lawn.
Due to unpredictable weather conditions in the UK, it is important to take a tailored approach to seeding in November as it will depend on the temperatures, frost and rainfall.
-
From: £15.99
-
From: £31.28
Conclusion
In summary, taking care of your lawn in November is all about preparing for winter while keeping your grass healthy.
It’s important to choose the right products, like cold resistant grass seed or an autumn/ winter fertiliser to help your lawn do well in the colder months.
By making smart choices now, you set up your lawn for success in the Spring and keep it green over the Winter period.
FAQ’s
Free Lawncare Calendar
Get our easy to follow lawn care calendar that includes lawncare treatments, products to use and receive updates on seasonal advice.
Will the cold start grass seed once grown appear different to the majority of the existing lawn if using it to patch repair?