How to mow your lawn : Your guide to the best mowing practices

The surface of each blade of grass acts like a mini solar panel, converting light from the sun into energy the grass needs to stay alive. Cutting more than a third of the grass height removes crucial surface area.

Setting your mower to only remove the top third means that each blade of grass retains enough surface area for energy production. It can then use this energy for the processes that keep your lawn looking healthy and vibrant.

Mowing gradually also helps to protect your lawn from parasites. When too much surface area is removed at once, the grass needs to draw energy from its roots in order to grow back from the loss. This causes stress to the grass, making it weaker and more susceptible to disease.

Giving your lawn a small trim more frequently helps to keep the grass thick and lush.  This is because when you give the grass a slight trim it responds by forming lateral shoots which creates more blades of grass. The higher the number of blades, the thicker your lawn will be.

Mowing frequently also helps to prepare the lawn for harsher weather conditions. This is because, when less photosynthetic surface is lost in one go, the grass can preserve the vital energy it needs to support its recovery from extreme weather.

Mowing your lawn when it’s dry makes it easier to achieve a clean cut, as the grass blades sit in a more upright position and are far less likely to clump up as you mow. Cutting the grass in dry, sunny conditions supports lawn health, whereas mowing during harsher weather can send the grass into a shock response, making it more susceptible to parasites.