Lawnmowers will cut grass 'properly' after winter if you do Monty Don's 1 simple task now

Knowing when the right time is to cut your lawn plays a key part in helping your grass grow thicker and healthier. As we head closer to winter, now is the time for many gardeners to either carry out their last mow of the year or stop mowing their lawns and put their mowers away until spring. When you should do your last mow of the season varies from place to place. Some places have a warmer climate than others, so the grass stops growing at different times of the year.

When it comes to storing your lawnmower away for winter, some people make the mistake of simply shoving it back in the shed and forgetting about it until the sunshine returns the following year. However, Monty Don took to his gardening blog to recommend you do one simple thing before packing up your mower - give it a clean and service.

He said: "Rather than leaving it till you want to make the first cut of your lawn next spring, now is the time to give your mower a good once-over before putting it away for the winter."

To clean and service your lawnmower, Monty said to first wash it down and scrape off any encrusted grass. The best way to clean your machine is simply with water.

If it is very dirty, you could use a garden hose, but be careful - after all, you want your lawn mower ready for storage, not damaged. With that in mind, avoid aiming strong jets of water at the bearings, seals or engine parts.

Next, drain any petrol from the tank as any remaining petrol will degrade over the winter, meaning you may have problems starting your mower. Also, check all screws and bolts to ensure they are properly tightened.

Gardeners should also oil the blades and all moving parts, and unless it is running and cutting exceptionally well, take it for a service and sharpen it by a professional rather than wait until next spring when they will be inundated.

For cordless lawn mowers, make sure to remove batteries and store them in a dry, warm place.

Finally, put it away somewhere dry and safe in the knowledge that when you need it, "it will perform properly at the first asking and throughout the next cutting season".

Covering your lawnmower with an old blanket or similar piece of cloth is a common tactic to add an extra layer of protection from the elements.