LAWNS

Mowing height by season: how short should a UK lawn be?

Why a higher cut is often healthier, when to lower it and when not to mow at all.

Spring and autumn

For an ordinary domestic lawn, keeping the grass around 40mm is a useful target in cooler seasons. It gives the plant more leaf area and helps it cope with wetter or less predictable conditions.

Summer

In active growing conditions a typical lawn can be kept shorter, but avoid scalping. During drought or very hot weather, raise the cutting height and mow less often.

Use the one-third rule

Try not to remove more than roughly one-third of the grass blade in one cut. If a lawn has become long, bring it down over several cuts.

Do not mow wet or frozen grass

Wet soil compacts easily and frozen grass is easily damaged. Wait for a better window.