Why is Mowing Your Turf So Important?

Maintaining a well-mowed lawn isn’t just about keeping up with the Joneses! It’s an essential part of lawn care to encourage healthy turf and a lovely lawn for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re a gardening enthusiast or just looking to keep your lawn trimmed and tidy, understanding why we mow can make all the difference.

Whilst it may not be everyone’s favourite gardening task, lawn mowing is an integral part of garden maintenance and will significantly affect the look and health of your grass. It’s a ‘little and often’ task that your garden will thank you for, and you will reap the rewards in the form of a fantastic-looking, healthy lawn.

In this article, we’ll cover:

• Why mowing matters
• The pros and cons of mowing
• Mowing through the seasons
• The different mowing heights
• Mowing top tips

Why Mowing Matters: The Pros and Cons of Mowing

Mowing Pros:

• Healthier grass: Ultimately, regular mowing encourages healthy and even grass growth. Your grass blades become stronger with every cut.
• Weed control: Mowing not only cuts weeds down but also prevents them from germinating and spreading across your lawn.
• Better appearance: The most obvious bonus of mowing is the neat finish, especially if you master those stripes! It’s a satisfying feeling and looks fantastic.
• Improved soil health: Leaving your grass clippings to decompose will provide more nutrients to your soil. But be mindful not to let them pile up – they’ll block sunlight from reaching your turf’s roots and create a hub for lawn diseases.

Mowing Cons:

• Stressed grass: Be careful not to over-mow your grass or cut it too short. This can stress your grass, making it vulnerable to diseases and stunting its growth.
• Environmental damage: Petrol mowers will pump more harmful gases into the environment. Where you can, opt for an electric mower or a manual mower to save on energy costs.
• Time investment: Mowing can be time-consuming, especially during peak growing seasons. By keeping on top of your mowing, you’ll find you won’t have to mow as often, and it’ll be much easier every time you do.

Mowing Through The Seasons

Whether your turf is two weeks or two years old, start mowing when the grass grows to approximately 25mm high, never removing more than 25% of the grass height at all times. To get the most from your lawn throughout the year, here are our mowing tips for each season:

Spring: This is your active growing period when your grass is waking up! You’ll notice rapid growth, so mowing will be more frequent. Start at a medium height to create a good base and strengthen your grass after a cold winter.

Summer: As the temperature rises, protecting your lawn from scorching and drought is essential. Mow at a higher height – longer grass blades will shade your soil and help retain moisture. If there’s not much rain, be sure to water your turf every day, too.

Autumn: Now’s the time to prepare for winter. As the temperature cools, gradually lower your mowing height to minimise the risk of lawn diseases. As leaves start to fall, keep them off your lawn to avoid smothering your grass and allow more sunlight to come through.

Winter: The start of winter in the UK has been quite mild. So, if your grass has grown, you could give it one last mow at a high height. But winter is more about maintenance – clear fallen leaves, clean your mower and apply any winter fertiliser if your turf needs support in the colder months.

How High Should I Cut My Grass?

Obviously, the height of your grass is entirely down to personal preference. And turf types such as wild flower turf can be left to their own device, only requiring a couple of cuts a year. But to keep your lawn as healthy as possible, here are the recommended mowing heights:

Short Grass: 1-2 inches

Provides an elegant, manicured look. Although this reduces the chance of pests hiding, short grass can weaken. Also, if too much soil is exposed, it can dry out.

Medium Grass: 2.5-3.5 inches

Ideal for most lawns as this height encourages deep roots, as well as more shade, better water retention and suppressing weeds.

Tall Grass: 3.5+ inches

Although this helps your lawns during hot temperatures, it can look unkempt and become a habitat for pests. It can also be harder and take longer to cut once you do.

7 Mowing Top Tips

1. Look at your grass: A quick way to decide if your grass needs a mow is to look at it! If it’s starting to look a bit wild or too tall, it’s time to mow. If your grass looks thin or bald in patches, apply fertiliser and grass seed before mowing it.
2. Mow in different directions: Mowing your grass in different directions helps prevent your soil from compacting and uneven grass growth. It also adds a bit of excitement for you!
3. Don’t cut wet grass: If it’s been raining a lot, we don’t recommend mowing your lawn. The rain can make your soil extremely soft, and mowing could result in clumping, uneven cuts, or even churning up your lawn. Read our handy blog on cutting wet grass for more insights.
4. Leave clippings: Grass clippings can add a lot of goodness to your lawn! As they decompose, they enrich your soil, from which your grass will eventually benefit. Still unsure? Our grass clipping blog provides more information on leaving grass clippings on your lawn.
5. Trim the edges: A freshly mown lawn looks amazing! But not all mowers can reach the edge of your lawn, especially if you have flowerbeds, paths or borders. After mowing, use a trimmer to go around and neaten your lawn’s edges – it’ll deliver a better look and finish!
6. Sharpen your blades: A good cut comes down to good blades. Blunt mower blades can cause more damage – stressing your grass, impacting your grass’s health and resulting in uneven growth. Safely clean and sharpen your mower to ensure a sleek cut every time.
7. Mower maintenance: It’s important to ensure that your lawnmower undergoes regular maintenance. Truthfully, it’s a good idea to service and fix any issues with your lawn mower in January/ February so that when we start moving into spring, and your mowing becomes more frequent, you’re ready to go straight away.

Looking for more mowing tips? Head to our blogs on The Best Time to Mow in Warmer Weather and Does Frequent Mowing Thicken Grass?

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When buying turf from GDT&S, our team is always on hand to answer any queries you may have when it comes to mowing and any other aspects of lawn care, so please do not hesitate to contact us.