Do I mow my lawn longer or shorter in hot weather?

A common mistake that homeowners make in summer is to cut their lawn too short. This can make a lawn weak and prone to disease and weed invasion. It’s best to leave the grass longer than you usually would throughout our hotter weather.

Here’s why:

• Longer lawns stay green as they hold on to moisture more easily. This is definitely a win-win situation as you won’t have to mow so often, and your lawn will stay healthy!
• The healthier the lawn, the more easily it will suppress weeds such as bindii and creeping oxalis.
• It will also be less prone to lawn disease, allowing it to withstand long, hot dry spells.
• Longer grass will use less water as more of the soil surface is shaded and this will put less stress on the lawn.
• Taller blades result in deeper, stronger roots for your grass.

Also, make sure you keep your mower blades sharp as blunt blades can damage the grass and increase moisture loss; and fertilise every 6-8 weeks during summer. If you don’t fancy doing all this yourself, contact your local gardening business, who will be happy to do it for you.

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