When?
As a general rule of thumb lawns should be mowed beginning in March and ending in October. This can vary slightly depending on weather conditions. Mild weather in early winter may mean you need to lightly trim your grass a little later.
How Often?
As a rough guide lawns should be cut twice a week in summer when the grass is vigorously growing, and once a week in spring and autumn. If we have long dry spells in summer it may also be prudent to reduce the frequency to once a week.
At What Height?
New lawns should be mown at a high height, removing only the grass tips, and the height should be gradually lowered to those recommended below as the season goes on.
If you want a luxury, bowling green style lawn and have used fine leaved, compact grasses your mower should be adjusted to 2cm (0.75in) in spring, autumn and times of drought. In summer this should be reduced to 1.25cm (0.5in).
If you want a rougher, hard wearing utility lawn and have used grasses such as perennial Ryegrass your mower should be adjusted to 3cm (1.25in) in spring, autumn and times of drought. You can lower the blades to 2.5cm (1in) in summer.
Lawns are usually made up of a mixture of grass types. Cutting below these lengths can reduce the strength of the grass and cutting above these heights can mean the coarser grasses begin to take over from the finer grasses.
If you have not cut the grass for a period of time, such as holidays, cut the grass on your return at a high height and reduce the height when mowing a few days later.
As well as being affected by the type of lawn, these rules will be affected by weather and soil conditions, but if you bear the above suggestions in mind you will not go far wrong.
Mark Snelling
Images copyright Gardenforpleasure.co.uk
If you have enjoyed reading our blog post then why not fill in the form provided to allow us to send you our blog posts and newsletters by email.
