The hot weather will have many Brits heading out into their gardens in the coming days - but if you're thinking of doing a spot of gardening this summer, there is one key thing you should avoid when temperatures are high.
Anyone lucky enough to have a lawn as part of their outside space will likely be keen to keep it in check, whether they want to put down a picnic blanket in the sunshine or simply keep their garden looking smart. However, over-doing things when it comes to mowing your lawn could end up ruining your luscious green space.
Jonathan Hill, lawncare expert and director at leading turf-growing company Rolawn, has warned gardeners that the worst thing you can do for your lawn when it's hot outside is to over-mow it. And when you do feel it's time to get the mower out, there are a couple of vital checks and adjustments needed to keep your lawn looking great this summer, The Mirror reports.
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Jonathan explained: "When temperatures in the UK rise, mowing can actually cause stress to a lawn so it's often best to leave your grass to grow a little longer in these conditions. The shorter the grass, the less shade there is to protect the roots and therefore the amount of moisture held by them is reduced - grass that is too short will dry out."
The green-fingered expert said that grass growth slows down during the warmer months, meaning you won't actually need to mow your grass as much - however tempted you may be. When the time does come to give it a trim, it's important to make sure your mower blade is sharp enough so you don't end up tearing your grass.
Jonathan continued: "To avoid scalping the lawn, the cutting height of your mower should be increased during dry conditions. A higher setting will allow valuable moisture to be trapped, limiting evaporation and encouraging stronger, deeper roots to grow, which improves drought tolerance overall."
The lawncare pro advised gardeners to never take more than one-third off the length of their grass in any one cut in order to avoid damage. Of course, another option is just to leave your lawn alone altogether - last month saw many households take part in No Mow May, an initiative which saw them put off cutting their grass for one month to provide a space for nature to thrive.
And as well as being beneficial for wildlife, letting your grass grow is likely to make sure your lawn stays looking good in the summer, too. Jonathan said: "We often recommend that, during drought or particularly dry conditions, gardeners don't mow their lawns. Survival is more likely in a heatwave if you don't mow at all."
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