Mowing the lawn might seem like the most straightforward job in the garden — push the mower, collect the clippings, make a cuppa. But done properly, mowing is one of the most important things you can do to keep your grass lush, healthy, and the envy of everyone on the street (including that neighbour who swears by strimming everything).
If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re cutting too short, mowing too often, or simply winging it every Saturday morning, these tips will turn you from grass hacker to grass whisperer in no time.
1. Don’t Cut It Too Short (The Rule of Thirds)
This is the golden rule of mowing: never remove more than one-third of the grass blade in a single cut. Cutting too low (a.k.a. scalping) weakens the grass, stresses the roots, and leaves your lawn vulnerable to weeds, drought and disease.
Raise your blades, especially in spring and summer. You want a nice, healthy leaf surface — think of it like solar panels for the roots. No sun, no growth.
2. Keep Your Blades Sharp
Dull mower blades tear the grass instead of cutting it cleanly. That leaves ragged edges which turn brown and open the door to disease. Give your blades a sharpen at the start of each season — or more often if you’re mowing frequently.
Tip: if the grass looks frayed after mowing or has a whitish cast, it’s probably time for a sharpening.
3. Mow When It’s Dry (If You Can)
Cutting wet grass is never ideal. It clumps, clogs your mower, and can leave ruts in the soil. Plus, you’ll often end up with a patchy, uneven cut. Wait for a dry spell, or at least an afternoon without a downpour.
If you absolutely must mow in damp conditions, raise the blade height and go slowly — then brace yourself for a bit of cleanup.
4. Change Your Mowing Pattern
Try not to mow in the same direction every time. Switching things up helps prevent the grass from leaning one way and reduces soil compaction. Whether it’s stripes one week and diagonals the next, your lawn will thank you with stronger, more upright growth.
5. Leave the Clippings (Sometimes)
Grass clippings can act as a natural fertiliser. If you’re mowing regularly and not taking off huge amounts, leave the clippings to fall back into the lawn. This is known as “mulching” and it returns nutrients — especially nitrogen — back into the soil.
Just don’t do it if the grass is wet or too long. In that case, bag ’em up or compost them separately.
6. Trim the Edges for a Tidy Finish
You could mow like a professional groundskeeper, but if the edges are a mess, the whole lawn looks half-done. Use edging shears or a strimmer to tidy up paths, flower beds and awkward corners.
Better still, invest a bit of time edging the lawn properly once or twice a year with a half-moon edging tool. That’ll give you a clean border that stays smart all season.
7. Adjust for the Season
- Spring: Start mowing when the grass begins growing — usually around March. Set the blades higher for the first few cuts.
- Summer: Keep the height up during dry spells to protect the roots from heat and drought.
- Autumn: Gradually reduce the mowing frequency. Raise the blade slightly for the final cut of the year.
- Winter: Hang up the mower. If you absolutely must cut, do so only when the grass is dry and not frosted — and go high.
Master the Mow
Mowing isn’t just about keeping the lawn tidy — it’s a fundamental part of lawn health. Done right, it encourages thicker growth, discourages weeds, and keeps your grass green and even all season long.
So next time you reach for the mower, think like a lawn pro. Keep the blades sharp, the height right, and the pattern varied. Your grass will reward you — and so will the compliments from the neighbours.
