How to mow your lawn

in Home : Projects: Lawn care

You will need

  • Lawn mower
Do it: March - October
Takes just: 30 minutes

Project categories

Overview

Mow your lawn regularly from spring onwards to encourage healthy, lush-looking grass and to deter weeds. When the grass is growing strongly in summer it will need to be mown at least once a week; but during periods of drought leave it uncut as longer grass will stay greener in hot weather. For a traditional stripe finish, choose a mower fitted with a roller.

How to do it

Blades set on lawnmower

1Check the blade of your mower is set to the correct height - raising it a little at the start and end of the season. As a guide, a general-purpose lawn is best kept at 2.5cm - 4cm long in the summer.

Mowing the lawn

2In early to mid-spring, mow your lawn once a week. Increase this to twice a week in late spring and early summer when growth is most vigorous.

Emptying cuttings into the compost bin

3Compost grass cuttings as they will rot down and return nutrients to the soil. In summer leave them on the lawn to help retain moisture.

Adam's tip

Don't let the grass grow too long before cutting it short as the lawn will look yellow for a while, due to a lack of light at the base. Mow regularly for the best results.

Discuss this project

Talkback: How to mow your lawn
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kaycurtis 24/11/2011 at 15:27

Lawns need more care than we think,weeds seem to fly in from everywhere, have you noticed that the council don't cut the verges, spreading dandilions all over the place, must be the most prolific plant in England because of neglect.

valetine 24/11/2011 at 15:27

what about petrol when lawnmower is tipped/?

patabee 24/11/2011 at 15:28

When I have mowed my lawns, I look carefully for any signs of weeks and spray with a lawn weed killer spray. Despite my neighbours having lots of dandelions etc., my lawns are pretty clear of weeds - except for an appearance of yellow trefoil this week! Sprayed with lawn weed killer and fingers crossed!

Higgy 24/11/2011 at 15:28

why am i getting mushrooms on my lawn...anyone any ideas

fionawebster 24/11/2011 at 15:29

I am new to gardening and recently inherited a massive neglected garden. Buttercups are a problem. Is there any piont in sowing grass seed on the areas that are massivlely overgrown with buttercups, they are just beginning to grow back now. My dream is to have a lovely grassy lawn....but i fear it may not be the case...any ideas, tips would be appreciated...also wild rabbits love to eat anything I have planted..so ideas on that would be good too x

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