Last redo of the grass and winter advice appreciated

Having been in our bungalow for 5 years now and doing many garden projects that have ruined the lawn fences,cutting conifers etc, I’m finally at the point of restoring the lawn for the last time. I’ve ordered another 20 kg of seed which I’ve used before with great success. I’m fully accustomed to prep and seeding and maintaining the lawn during the spring /summer but as I’ve always planned to wreck the grass every winter so far I’ve not learnt much about winter prep and care. My questions are:

When do you do your last feed before winter

Do you cut through the winter when needed or just leave it to get long offering some protection for the root system

Do you lower your cutting height for the last cut of the season to reduce the amount of cuts during the winter if applicable

Finally my grass type here is fine type rye from a specialist supplier that’s very fast growing if that helps with any advice.

 

Matt

I dont autumn feed now but it would be about September on average. I top dress in autumn instead of feeding.
I live in a very mild part of Cornwall so grass cutting is all year round......even with the recent very cold easterly blasts. 2 weeks ago I reseeded parts of my lawn and it has germinated.
Grass is exceedingly tough........it usually recovers after drought, for example.....so "protection" by allowing the grass to be longer is not necessary. Besides, just note the damage when so many folk take their mowers out for their first spring cut, i.e. Brown and yellow grass left behind.
Cutting height? Fine rye is not the same as a fine top quality seed. It is pretty tough and hard wearing and, yes, it is fast growing. My grass is the same. I keep my cutting height much the same all year round, prob around 2". At this height it withstands wear and tear, drought and looks green and lush all year round. The real "secret" is mowing regularly and often.......I cut twice a week in spring and summer; it is quicker than cutting less often and less stress on the grass. Anyway, at least once a week
Keeping off a wet lawn is pretty important too.....ditto on a frosted or frozen sward.
The remaining, and important, autumn treatment is using nematodes for leatherjackets

 

@Verdun thanks for the great info and totally agree that the twice weekly cut is much less stressful on gardener and grass. Looking at a new mower this year as the one I have has really been abused literally haven’t cleaned it or changed the oil since I got it new (5years). Steering towards a mulch capable mower (toro) so I can mulch on one cut bag on the next. The rye type I have is tough like you said and stripes brilliantly. I’m still in shock the dog weeing on it doesn’t even kill it anymore,for some strange reason this seems linked to when I started feeding the grass about 3 years ago. Most of the damage this winter is from burning the conifers I had and compaction from the constant foot traffic whilst doing the new borders.

 

Hello Matt
My lawns are 150 sq metres front lawn and one slightly smaller in back garden and
I use a cordless Bosch mower. It will cut both lawns twice on one charge, is very quiet, lightweight and gives me those stripes. Twice a week mowing in less than 20 minutes each time. My second Bosch cordless.....the first is still going strong after 12 years or so and is now being used at my niece's new build needing only a new battery a couple of years back