How to mow a lawn: heights, frequency and mistakes to avoid

Mowing looks like the simplest job in the garden, yet it is where most lawns get ruined. Three rules applied properly — height, frequency and a sharp blade — make all the difference.

The golden rule: never more than a third

Never take off more than a third of the blade height in a single pass. If the grass has got away from you, bring it back over two or three cuts a few days apart rather than all at once: a drastic cut stresses the plant and opens the door to weeds and fungal disease.

Height through the seasons

• Spring and autumn: 4-5 cm — the grass is growing happily and tolerates a shorter cut.
• Summer in the Empordà: raise it to 5-7 cm. Longer blades shade the soil, hold moisture and cope far better with drought.
• Last cut of autumn: slightly shorter, to keep fungal problems at bay over winter.

How often to mow

During the growing season, once a week is the benchmark; in summer, every 10-15 days depending on watering. If you have a robotic mower, forget the calendar altogether: that constant daily trim is precisely its great advantage.

Mulching: free fertiliser

Mulching chops the clippings into tiny particles and drops them back onto the soil, where they break down and return nutrients to the ground. Done well, it can cut your fertiliser needs by up to 30%. Many Honda and Husqvarna mowers come with a mulching kit as standard or as an option.

The mistakes we see most

• Mowing with a blunt blade: it tears the grass rather than cutting it; the tips dry out and the lawn takes on a yellowish cast. Sharpen or replace the blade every season.
• Mowing wet grass: an uneven cut and a clogged machine.
• Always mowing in the same direction: alternate the pattern each time.

Want us to get your mower ready for the season? Ring the workshop and we will turn it round in a few days.