How often should you cut your lawn? A season-by-season guide

How often to mow is one of the first questions people ask us about a lawn. The honest answer is that it depends on the time of year, the weather and how you use the grass. Here is a simple guide through the seasons for a lawn in and around London.

The one-third rule

Whatever the season, try never to take off more than a third of the grass height in one cut. Cutting too short in one go stresses the grass, lets moss and weeds in, and can turn a lawn yellow in dry weather. If the grass has got very long, bring it down over two or three cuts rather than all at once.

Spring: March to May

Grass starts growing again as the soil warms up, usually from March. Set the mower blades high and make the first cut a light trim. As growth picks up in April and May, most lawns need cutting about once a week.

Summer: June to August

Grass grows fastest in late spring and early summer. Keep cutting weekly, but raise the blades a little in hot, dry spells. Longer grass shades its own roots and copes better with drought.

If a long dry spell turns the lawn brown, do not panic. It usually recovers once the rain comes back. Cut less often while it is dry.

Autumn: September to November

Growth slows as the days get shorter. Cutting every two weeks or so is usually enough, with the blades raised again. Keep fallen leaves off the lawn: a thick layer blocks the light and leaves yellow patches. Autumn is also a good time to tidy the edges, so the lawn goes into winter looking neat.

Winter: December to February

Most lawns barely grow in winter. Stay off the grass when it is frosty or waterlogged, because walking on it then does damage. In a mild spell, a light trim with the blades set high is fine if the grass has grown.

Edges make the difference

A lawn with crisp edges looks tidy even when the grass is a little long. Edging every few cuts, and keeping grass from creeping into beds and paths, makes a bigger difference than most people expect.

Small London lawns

A lot of lawns in London are small, shaded by buildings and trees, and used hard by children and dogs. Shady lawns grow more slowly and suffer more from moss, so keep the blades higher and cut them less often than a lawn in full sun.

If you would rather not spend your weekends mowing, we cut grass across London, as a one-off or through the season. Have a look at our grass cutting service.