How Often Should You Cut the Lawn?

Discover how often to cut the lawn and when not to cut the grass, depending on your garden’s style, the weather conditions, and the time of year.

Nothing says the summer is here quite like the low, steady rumble of a mower engine reverberating over your fence across the neighbourhood.

For some, that can be all we need to want to get outside and give our grass a fresh trim. But how often should you cut the lawn to keep it looking its best?

In this article, we discuss the best time to cut the lawn, how regularly (depending on style and conditions) and when not to cut the grass.

Let’s mow.

How Often to Cut the Lawn?

Maintaining a traditional lawn requires a cut every week or two across the spring or summer months (March to October). However, how often to cut the lawn depends on various factors.

These aspects include:

·       Your garden’s style

·       The weather

·       The type of grass

How Often Should You Cut the Lawn Based on the Season?

As the seasons change, we'll see increases or reductions in the rate of grass growth depending on the climate. For our grass to thrive, it needs sunlight, warmth and moisture, hence why the summer and spring are peak lawn-mowing months.

How Often Should You Cut the Lawn in Spring?

If you desire a traditional, neat-looking lawn, we recommend mowing one a week or fortnightly between March and October.When the time comes for that first mow in spring, choose a higher blade setting to avoid the mower choking on any dense areas and clippings.

If you happen to get to the grass a little late or have let it grow for ‘No Mow May’, then it might be necessary to strim the grass to a six-inch length and rake off the trimmings before mowing.

After raking off the strimmed grass, you might want to wait for the grass to straighten for an easier, smoother cut.  

How Often Should You Cut the Lawn in Summer?

Due to the sunlight and warmth, the summer sees the largest increase in grass growth, depending on whether we’ve had enough rain to keep the soil moist.

Therefore, at the potential peak of the growing season, you should aim to cut the lawn once, if not twice a week during the summer.   

How Often Should You Cut the Lawn in Autumn?

Similar to spring, as the climate cools, you should cut the grass once a fortnight in autumn. Now, that we’re approaching winter, readjusting the cutting height to a higher setting will protect the grass from the impending cold.

The taller the grass, the more insulation can prevent freezing temperatures from damaging the roots.

How Often Should You Cut the Lawn in Winter?

Unless you’re a groundskeeper at a sports facility that maintains a pristine lawn all year round, you shouldn’t need to cut the grass in winter. Milder temperatures could cause the grass to grow, so don’t rule outa winter mow entirely, but normally it’s not ever necessary.  

How Often Should You Cut the Lawn Based on Style?  

Different style gardens and lawns require different cutting routines. Whether you have a traditional lawn or a quaint cottage garden, here are three styles that should cover the overall lawn-cutting spectrum:

1.     How Often to Cut the Lawn in a Traditional Garden?

Let’s start with the standard, neat lawn care. Here’s how often you should cut your grass throughout the year:

·       Spring –Once a fortnight or weekly, depending on growth.

·       Summer–Once a week, if not twice, depending on growth.

·       Autumn–Similar to spring, as the weather cools after the summer, aim for once a fortnight.

·       Winter–Unless we experience a mild winter and the grass continues to grow, you shouldn’t need to cut the lawn during the winter months.  

2.     How Often to Cut the Lawn in Flower-Rich Grass/Wildflower Meadow?

If you’re hoping to keep a wildflower meadow this year, we recommend not cutting any grass at all during the spring and autumn. Alongside seeing what types of flowers can grow, it provides much-needed support to our pollinators.

The “No Mow May” incentive will encourage wildflowers to establish in your lawn, adding colour, diversity and dynamism to your lawn while attracting wildlife to thrive. Albeit flower-rich lawns will mean a longer, less polished look, it can be nice to see what types of plants you have growing, even if that means just leaving a section uncut.  

However, if you just want to keep on top of the lawn while allowing your daisies, clover, and buttercups to bloom, then it’s a case of mowing every four to six weeks.   

3.     How Often to Cut the Grass on a Fine Lawn?

If you’re maintaining a fine lawn, like golf or bowling green, your grass will need cutting at least twice, if not three times a week, during the growing season.

This approach will also include mowing once a week throughout the year. Maintaining the lawn will require an appropriate professional mower and the necessary treatment, even in winter.  

When is the Best Time to Cut the Lawn?

Your ideal lawn-cutting time is typically mid-morning or late afternoon. By late morning, the morning dew should have dried to avoid the grass clumping.

Mowing in the late afternoon and early evening avoids stressing the grass at the hottest time of day. Leave it too late, such as after dusk, and your lawn can become vulnerable to fungi infections.

When Not to Cut the Grass?

Knowing how often to cut the lawn goes hand in hand with knowing when not to cut the grass. Despite moisture being an essential ingredient to optimal grass health, you should always avoid cutting the grass when it’s wet.

Not only can you damage the soil, which impacts the roots and overall appearance of your lawn, but you’ll clog the mower and potentially break it.

To help clarify when not to cut the grass, we’ve broken down the seasonal conditions to avoid grass-cutting:

When Not to Cut the Grass in Spring?

As mentioned, some gardeners and environmentalists would suggest avoiding cutting the grass in early spring to encourage flowers to bloom and pollinators to thrive.

When Not to Cut the Grass in Summer?

Grass can become temperamental in hot weather, such as during a heatwave or drought. Whenever the grass is under stress, it’s best not to cut it.

When Not to Cut the Grass in Autumn?

When temperatures decline below 6°C, it’s time to stick your mower back in the shed. Try to time your last cut of the year one week before the first frost.

When Not to Cut the Grass in Winter?

Pretty much, the entirety of winter is when not to cut the grass unless consistent milder conditions do prompt growth.

Keep Your Lawn Looking Its Best with Some Expert Support

At Instant Scenery, we’re award-winning gardeners and landscapers with over 15 years of experience cutting lawns across Worcestershire and beyond.We’re here to help you achieve the lush, healthy lawn your garden deserves.

Whether you need simple maintenance, seasonal support, or a tailored lawn care plan, we’ve got the machinery, knowledge, and passion to deliver the lawn of your dreams.

To find out more about how we can keep your lawn looking its best all year round, get in touch today.

‍