The last cut of the year is rarely the one you planned. Before your lawnmower disappears into the shed for winter, a little attention now could save you a seized-up machine, a rusty blade and an irritating start to spring.
There is a particular sort of optimism involved in putting the lawnmower away in October. You give the grass one last cut, wheel the machine into the shed and assume you won't need it again until March.
British weather doesn't always cooperate.
A mild November can keep grass growing surprisingly well, particularly in southern England. Equally, a wet October can bring mowing to an abrupt halt long before the grass has stopped growing. The sensible approach isn't to declare an official last mowing day. It's to watch the conditions.
But once you are reasonably certain the mower has finished for the season, don't simply park it with six months' worth of damp grass stuck underneath.
1. Get the wet grass out before it becomes a problem
Look underneath a mower after a season of cutting and you may find a remarkably solid layer of compressed grass.
That accumulation holds moisture against the deck, encourages corrosion on metal parts and can interfere with airflow around the blade. Leave it there all winter and it will be considerably less pleasant to remove in spring.
Before cleaning, make the mower safe. Disconnect an electric mower from the mains, remove the battery from a cordless machine or follow the manufacturer's instructions for preventing an accidental start on a petrol model. Let the machine cool and the blade stop completely. Follow the manual's instructions for accessing the underside and tilting the mower: petrol models may only be tilted in a particular direction.
Brush or scrape away the grass clippings using a suitable plastic or wooden tool. Pay particular attention to the underside of the deck, discharge chute and collection box.
Avoid directing a hose or pressure washer at bearings, electrical components or the engine. Some manufacturers permit washing particular parts, but others specifically advise against it.
Allow everything to dry thoroughly before storage.
2. Have a proper look at the blade
A mower blade doesn't have to be visibly damaged to be past its best.
After months of cutting, particularly where the lawn contains small stones, exposed roots or the occasional forgotten dog toy, the cutting edge can become blunt or nicked.
A blunt blade tends to tear grass rather than cut it cleanly, leaving ragged tips that may turn brown.
Inspect the blade for damage, excessive wear and corrosion. A slightly dull blade may simply need sharpening and balancing. A bent, cracked or badly damaged blade needs replacing.
If you're not comfortable removing and sharpening a blade safely, this is a perfectly reasonable job to leave to a mower servicing workshop.
And don't assume a blade is safe to handle just because the machine is switched off. Follow the manufacturer's isolation and blade-handling instructions.
3. Don't leave petrol sitting in the mower without a plan
Petrol mowers need a little more thought before winter storage.
Modern petrol can deteriorate during prolonged storage, potentially leaving deposits that make a small engine difficult to start when spring arrives.
Check your mower's manual. Depending on the engine and fuel system, the manufacturer may recommend running the fuel system dry using an approved procedure or storing it with suitable fresh fuel and an appropriate stabiliser.
Don't improvise by tipping petrol out into an open container or running the machine in an enclosed shed.
This is also a sensible time to check the engine oil and air filter and establish whether a service is due. Follow the manufacturer's schedule rather than assuming every mower needs an oil change at precisely the same point each year.
A mower that starts on the first few pulls in spring is a much better prospect than one that requires half an hour of increasingly inventive language.
4. Give the battery somewhere sensible to spend winter
Cordless mowers are wonderfully convenient until their batteries are forgotten in a damp shed for five months.
Lithium-ion batteries generally prefer dry storage away from extreme temperatures. Many manufacturers recommend storing them partly charged rather than completely flat, although the correct charge level and temperature range depend on the particular battery.
Remove the battery from the mower, clean its exterior with a dry cloth if necessary and check the manufacturer's storage instructions.
Don't leave it on a charger all winter unless the manufacturer specifically permits or recommends that arrangement.
Store the battery somewhere protected from frost, excessive heat and moisture, with the terminals protected against accidental short-circuiting.
5. Put the mower away properly, not just out of sight
The final job is less technical but easily overlooked.
Make sure the mower is clean and dry. Check the wheels and handles for damage, empty the grass collector and remove any debris caught around moving parts.
Choose a dry, secure storage position where the mower won't be exposed to dripping condensation or standing water.
If your mower folds for storage, check the manufacturer's instructions before folding or standing it upright. Some petrol models must only be tilted or stored in specified positions to prevent oil or fuel entering places they shouldn't.
A breathable cover can help keep dust off, but wrapping a damp machine tightly in plastic is an excellent way to trap the very moisture you're trying to avoid.
And what about the lawn itself?
The mower may be ready for winter before the grass is.
Grass continues to grow when conditions are mild enough, so there is no fixed date for the final cut. If the lawn is still growing and the ground and grass are reasonably firm and dry, an occasional light mow may be useful.
Raise the cutting height rather than giving the lawn an unnecessarily severe autumn haircut. Avoid mowing wet, waterlogged or frosty grass, when the machine and your footsteps can do more damage than the cut is worth.
Clear heavy accumulations of fallen leaves where they are smothering the lawn, but there's no need to remove every leaf from the garden. Leaves can be valuable in borders and wildlife-friendly corners.
And if November turns out unexpectedly mild, don't be surprised if the mower comes back out again.
The point isn't to put it away on a particular date. It's to make sure that when you finally do, it's ready to come back out without a fight.
For more guidance, see STIHL’s winter mower storage advice and the RHS lawn mowing guide. Always follow the instructions for your own mower and battery.
Explore our Seasonal Gardening department and October garden jobs guide.