My Best Advice when cutting your grass in the UK

Advice when cutting your grass in the UK

Follow the 1/3 Rule:

Avoid cutting more than one-third of the grass blade’s length at once to prevent stress on the lawn.

Choose the Right Mower:

Select a lawn mower suitable for your lawn size and terrain. Electric, petrol, or manual mowers are common options. Personally, I like to get the top off with a rotary, then add the finishing touches with a cylinder.

Maintain your mower:

Keep your lawnmower well-maintained by sharpening blades, cleaning air filters, and checking oil levels (if it’s petrol).

Adjust Mower Height:

Set the mower to the appropriate cutting height for your grass type. In the UK, a height of 1.5 to 2.5 inches (3.8 to 6.4 cm) is often recommended. Us the right high when mowing at different times of year.

Remove Debris:

Clear the lawn of sticks, leaves, and debris before mowing to prevent damage to your mower and an uneven cut.

If your family is anything like mine, they’ll love to put stuff on the grass. In most cases that’s stones.

Alternate & Overlap Mowing Patterns:

Change your mowing pattern each time you mow to prevent soil compaction and encourage even growth.

When mowing up and down I opposite directions, be sure to overlap. Many mowers will tell you they ”mow-to-edge” but trust me, that’s a massive exaggeration. Especially when it comes to rotary mowers.

Tactically Straighten your cutting lines

The best way to get straighter stripage is to start in the middle and work your way outwards.

Do the outside edge first

Whenever I mow mine, I always go around the outside first because you can’t get right to the edge when going up and down

Mow When Dry:

Mow the lawn when it’s dry to achieve a clean cut and prevent clumping.

If the grass is wet:

Be sure to go a lot slower and don’t let too much grass clump up at the bottom of the mower.

Mulch or Bag Clippings:

Consider mulching grass clippings to return nutrients to the soil or bag them if your lawn is growing vigorously. Some mowers come with a mulching device, some don’t – check the manufacturer’s instructions to find out

Avoid Scalping:

Avoid scalping the lawn by setting your mower to an appropriate height and not cutting too close to the ground. If you want a low cut, then make a note of where the protruding sections are and lift up the setting for these areas.

Treat shaded areas differently:

If your grass is in the shade, I’d suggest you keep it slightly higher all-year-round. This is most important in the Winter months.

Clean your mower after every cut

This matters a lot when there are clumps of wet grass underneath.

Adjust for Seasonal Variations:

– Adapt your lawn care routine based on seasonal changes and local weather conditions, as grass care needs can vary throughout the year.