When and how to mow your lawn in summer?

Why mow your lawn in summer?

Should you really mow your lawn when the weather is nice and warm, and the lawn is growing very little, if at all, more than an inch? The answer is yes! Even though temperatures rise and the growth of the herb slows down in summer, lawn maintenance remains necessary. It will be less demanding but not non-existent! However, in the case of a heatwave and prolonged drought, you should wait for the return of rain before using the mower; mowing a yellowed and sparse mat or a sunburnt lawn would make no sense. A lawn should be mowed regularly to remain green and in perfect health. Regular mowing stimulates the growth of the lawn and helps limit the regrowth of weeds. The denser your herb is, the more it will retain moisture and the better it will withstand drought.

When to mow the lawn?

The frequency of mowing depends on the season, weather conditions, and the thermometer. In spring and autumn, when the lawn is in full growth, weekly mowing is recommended; during drier and hotter periods, mowing will be less frequent. In summer, when temperatures rise, the grass grows more slowly, or not at all.

However, the climate can affect mowing frequency: mild weather and regular rainfall encourage grass growth. In summer, in our Breton or Norman regions, for example, you should consider the weather and adjust your mowing schedule accordingly. However, never mow when the grass is wet or very damp, as you risk slipping and the cut will be ineffective. Wait until it is dry, and ideally mow in the middle or late afternoon, respecting the usual rest days and hours.

• In summer, we recommend mowing approximately once every 15 days, or every three weeks in the hottest regions.

How to mow the lawn in summer?

How high should you mow the lawn in summer? The cutting height also varies depending on the seasons. The golden rule: never cut more than one third of the blades at each mowing, generally between 2.5 and 5 cm, to avoid weakening the lawn. In summer, mowing too short can exacerbate the drying out of the lawn. Additionally, the shorter you mow, the more adventive plants will appear in your lawn.

That’s why in summer, we recommend mowing less short, and increasing the cutting height to 7-10 cm. Mowing higher helps protect the lawn from the sun, limits yellowing, and makes it more resistant to heat.

Good to know: Do you have a mulching mower? Mulch as soon as it starts to get very hot! Mulching is a mowing technique that some mowers have, which allows you to leave finely chopped mowing waste on the freshly mowed lawn. The advantage? Mulching provides a natural mulch that will protect your lawn from the scorching rays of the sun, limit moisture evaporation during heatwaves, and thus reduce the need for watering.

For further reading

Discover our other tips:

• Lawn burnt by the sun: what to do?
• Sowing lawn: when and how?
• Topdressing a lawn
• Lawn: essential tools for its upkeep
• Having a beautiful lawn in 10 questions/answers
• How to choose your lawn mower wisely?
• Robot mower: for or against?
• The manual scarifier

Also read:

• Replacing lawn: ideas and solutions
• Alternatives to grass: 10 groundcovers to replace the lawn
• Mower breakdown: the benefits of letting the herb grow
• 5 good reasons to adopt a manual mower