Gardeners told this is your last day to do this job this year - or cause damage

For those with a passion for gardening, autumn is a bustling period. A lot of effort needs to be put into your garden at this time to prepare it for the upcoming winter months when temperatures will drop and regular frosts will occur.

From heavy pruning of plants to planting your spring bulbs to ensure that you have some vibrant splashes of colour appearing in a few months time, it can feel like the gardening task list is quite endless at the moment. However, no matter how busy you are, there is one task you absolutely shouldn't overlook this October, because gardening experts have cautioned that if you don't make time for this now, it will be too late - and you could end up dealing with some damage to your garden.

The task experts have warned you cannot afford to miss this month is giving your lawn one final mow before the winter. The Royal Horticultural Society has clarified that you should "never mow frosty or wet grass" as doing so "can damage your turf and compact your soil" - which nobody wants.

For many people, the lawn is the absolute focal point of their outdoor space, and the backdrop for everything from lounging around reading a book, enjoying a barbeque, or entertaining. To keep your lawn in good condition, you should aim to mow it every two weeks on average between March and October, the experts explain, perhaps increasing this to weekly during the summer itself.

However, during the coldest and wettest months, it's advisable to leave your turf alone to prevent frost damage - typically, the lawn won't continue growing at this time of year unless the weather is unusually mild. "Never mow if the ground conditions are very soft, wet, or frozen, or during periods of cold, drying winds," advises the RHS, reports the Mirror.

Similarly, you should refrain from mowing your lawn in May, when no-mow-May takes place - if possible. By leaving your lawn untouched during May, as many people nationwide do, you allow wildflowers to flourish, attracting a variety of pollinators to your outdoor space, which benefits both your garden's health and the wider environment.

If the thought of an unkempt lawn for the entirety of May is unbearable, the RHS suggests leaving just one section of your lawn to grow during this month. "While you can resume mowing in June," the experts clarify, "it's even better to leave the grass uncut until August to maintain the newly formed habitat and promote a greater diversity of plants."