Knowing how to edge a lawn can make a big difference to a garden. It's all about making a crisp, defined line between the turf and its surroundings, such as flowerbeds or paths. As the results are instant, it's a super satisfying task.

While it can be easily overlooked when planning which garden trends to try, if you love a manicured outdoor aesthetic, edging a lawn is just as important as mowing it. And, adding edging materials after you've cut the turf will create a long-lasting barrier (which, depending on which type you go for, can add extra style points to your plot, too).

Below, you'll find plenty of expert advice for this garden job, including tips on which tools to use. Whether you want an orderly straight line or a sweeping curve, this guide will help you tackle it with confidence.

How to edge a lawn in your garden, according to the pros

Just like getting rid of moss in a lawn or knowing how often to fertilise it, defining the edges plays a big part in achieving an enviable stretch of green. As Ted Hall, the managing director of lawn edging manufacturer IBRAN, says, "It adds a level of finesse to a garden that separates a good design from a great design, where different sections are sharply and neatly defined."

What you will need to edge a lawn

Just like when aerating a lawn, edging turf requires the right tools. Trevor Knight, a landscaping specialist at Marshalls Plc, says, “For sharp-edged lawns, a lawn edging tool is crucial for getting neat edges all around. However, if you don’t have a lawn edger, a straight-edged spade or sharp hoe can be used – just ensure you are precise with your moves."

Ted points out that every lawn edging project starts with marking out the fringe of the lawn, which can be done with temporary lawn-marking spray paint and/or a string line with marker pegs. If you're purchasing permanent edging materials, he also advises using something to measure out the edge, so that you can order the right amount.

How to prepare your lawn for a new edge

Before you learn how to edge a lawn, you need to know how to mow it properly. As Trevor points out, cutting the grass beforehand helps to get a more precise and straight edge, as you won’t be battling to cut through the grass blades in the process.

Once your grass is down to a tidy height, it's time to measure and mark its new edge. For a straight edge, Ted recommends using a tape measure, while a curved edge calls for a string line and multiple pegs. For the latter, he says to place the pegs in the ground along the arc and pull the string tight against it. You can then mark the ground to create a guideline, using lawn-marking spray paint.

If you're ordering edging materials for a curved edge, don't forget to work out its length. To do so, Ted recommends marking the string, both at the start of the curve and the end of the curve, so that you can measure the distance between the two points. "You can do this by leaving one end of the string attached to the peg, pulling it tight from the other end and measuring the length of the string to the second marker point with a tape measure."

How to cut a lawn edge

Once you're happy with your plan, it's time to pick up your edging tool and begin cutting the turf along your guideline. "This ensures the edge is precisely placed and stays within the measurements taken earlier," Ted says. He recommends cutting downwards at the marker point, and then undercutting each section so that the excess turf and soil can be removed.

Top tip: Shake off excess soil from the removed turf before placing it in your compost.

How to install edging materials

There are all sorts of garden edging materials that you can choose from, which will help prevent grass from encroaching on your best plants or pathways. When it comes to placing them, Ted says the principle is the same, no matter whether you're using timber, masonry, metal, or plastic. "Ensure that the edging product is placed tightly against the marked-out and cut edge," he says.

"Some edging products are designed to fasten together to create a seamless face," Ted continues. "Therefore, you will need to connect the edging product before placing it. This may require you to use a rubber mallet or a screwdriver or, if your products are moulded with interlocking connectors, simply push-fit them together. These should be anchored down into the ground to prevent them from moving in the future."

Ted recommends backfilling the edging to secure it from both sides. "This may be your garden border, a pathway, block surface or anything else that you're looking to divide from the lawn section."

Top tip: If you're installing stone edging, you will need to set it in a bed of mortar to prevent movement.

How to maintain your lawn's edge

To keep your lawn edges looking super crisp, you'll need to give them a trim from time to time. Paul Hicks, product manager from Stihl GB, says, "While regularly mowing your lawn will keep it neat and tidy and improve its health, a mower isn’t the best tool for edging, particularly if you have raised beds or flower borders."

"For a precise finish, a powered grass trimmer is recommended," says Peter Chaloner, the managing director of Cobra. "Position the trimmer vertically to the ground, along the edge of the lawn, and gradually move forward along the edge.”

Just remember to wear proper protection when using these power tools, as Paul underlines. "Stones, sticks and other garden debris can get whipped up, so you need to wear safety glasses and face protection, like a visor. You should also make sure that no one is within a 15m range of where you’re trimming, to be on the safe side," he adds.

Alternatively, you can use angled long-handled shears to neaten up edges; however, this is more physical and tiring than using a strimmer.

FAQs

When is the best time to edge a lawn?

According to Ted, edging your lawn can take place at any time of the year, as typically grass is resilient and isn't affected too much by the changing seasons.

However, if you're installing lawn edging between a lawn and a garden border, he recommends doing so when the plants in the border are dormant and not susceptible to damage from digging out. If they are in this part of the cycle, take care not to damage their root systems, he adds.

It's also worth keeping the weather forecast in mind. Fiona says carrying out the job after rainfall is best, as the damp soil will hold together well rather than crumbling. "It’s also much easier to cut cleanly through the turf after rain as the ground will be soft," she adds. However, remember to plan ahead and mow before the rain, as cutting wet grass can have detrimental effects.

How can you create a circular lawn edge?

If you plan to create a circular edge, Ted has a quick gardening tip: lay out a garden hose before marking the curve with lawn-marking spray.

Knowing how to edge a lawn is just one part of keeping it looking its best. With warmer weather soon on its way, our guide to summer lawn care is also well worth checking out. And of course, it's also a good idea to get familiar with which lawn care mistakes to avoid.

Whether your lawn has become overgrown due to the sporadic weather, a recent holiday, or perhaps you merely haven't had the time to mow? Whatever the reason, knowing how to cut long grass efficiently is the key to restoring your lawn to a lusciously healthy plot.

Lawn care can sometimes feel like a minefield...when should you first cut grass after winter?  Can you cut wet grass?  Can you cut grass in the heat? As a result, there are plenty of potential lawn care mistakes that can ruin your Wimbledon-worthy grass in no time. Mowing overgrown grass incorrectly is one of them.

To help protect the lengthy blades and keep the lawn healthy when mowing long grass we've asked leading lawn care specialists to share their top tips for doing it right. 

How to cut long grass: expert advice

Keeping a lawn in good health can sometimes feel like a challenge, especially when it comes to knowing how to mow in different circumstances – long, overgrown grass being one of the most common if you haven't been able to mow your lawn as often as you should.

"The first step is to assess what you are dealing with," advises Guy Jenkins at Johnsons Lawn Seed. "Has your lawn bloomed following a period of wet and warm weather, and is now standing at one foot tall, or are you only needing to cut a few inches."

"If the first scenario is your reality, then you may want to start by strimming the top of the grass to make cutting with a lawn mower more manageable. Otherwise, you run the risk of simply flattening the grass rather than cutting it."

Step 1: Use a grass strimmer

"Before using any power tools pick up any debris such as fallen branches or large stones to avoid a potential hazard or damaging your tools," advises Andrea Philips, from Airtasker's Lifestyle Team. 

"Then start by using your grass trimmer to cut back most of the overgrowth, hold it at an angle and use a side-to-side motion to cut through the grass."

“I’d suggest you take off half of the long grass, then rake and water it well," advises James Lewis from MyBuilder.com. "Leave overnight and then use your mower."

Here are our grass trimmer recommendations:

Step 2: Rake up grass cuttings

While there are benefits to leaving grass clippings on a lawn, when cutting long grass you are best to remove the offcuts after the first stage of using the trimmer. this gives you a clearer path to then use your mower.

"Unlike lawnmowers, grass trimmers don’t have a bin to collect the fallen grass so you'll want to use a rake to collect as much of the debris as possible," says Andrea. "To dispose of the grass, you can either put it on to your compost heap if you have one or put it in your garden waste bin for collection."

Step 3: Finish cutting with a mower

After reducing the highest points it's time to bring in your mower to finish the job properly. "Once at a manageable height, it is important to take your time," says Guy.

"Raise your mower to the highest setting and work your way down. Carefully lift the lawn mower’s deck to lower it on your grass. Do small sections at a time to level your grass out."

Andrea adds: "Use the lawn mower to cut the grass making several passes gradually lowering the cutting height each time until you reach the desired length."

"Rake up debris as you go will make the process easier if you do not have a collection box on your mower," says Guy. "Plus it will help keep the blades upright for a more thorough cut.”

How short should I cut long grass?

It's advisable to take the  "A good guide for the average lawn would be to keep the length to something around the 2.5cm-5cm," suggests James. "Although if you wish to grow it a little longer then up to twice that height can promote healthy blades of grass."

FAQs

What tool is used to cut long grass?

As we've touched on above it's easier to cut long grass initially with a strimmer to ease the burden on your mower. By removing the longest part of the grass you make using a mower possible and more efficient.

"If you need to get on top of an unruly lawned area and long grass, electric lawn mowers might not be up to the job, so to get your grass down to a manageable level, it’s best to use a strimmer at first," says James.

"Starting with a grass trimmer is a much better option as it can handle long, and thick grass more effectively," agrees Andrea.

Can you use a lawnmower on long grass?

Yes, you can use a lawn mover on long grass. However, experts recommend taking certain steps to get the best results. Trimming the longest lengths first using a grass trimmer makes it easier for your lawn mower to glide over the long grass. 

When using a lawn mover on long grass it's best to raise blades to the highest setting and work way down gradually to avoid causing stress to the blades. Cut in small sections and be careful when lifting the lawn mower’s deck to lower it onto your grass to avoid flattening the surface before being able to make a clean cut of each blade.

“If you are trying to cut down long grass with a mower, avoid cutting it in the morning if it is still wet," warns James. "Mowing a wet lawn is not ideal and can cause issues with your grass and your mower. Also if you are using electric mowers or strimmers, mixing electricity and water of course poses risks."

“If cutting during the hotter summer months with a mower, to avoid scalping the lawn, the cutting height of your mower should be increased during dry conditions," says James.

"The majority of lawnmowers have different height settings and a higher setting will allow valuable moisture to be trapped, limiting evaporation and encouraging stronger, deeper roots to grow, which improves drought tolerance overall.”

On the plus side, there are benefits to leaving your grass longer, as gardening expert James Lewis explains: “Letting your grass grow a little longer allows it to cope with heat stress. Longer grass in hot weather acts as a 'micro jungle' with taller stems helping to sustain a microclimate at soil level."

"When temperatures rise, mowing can actually cause stress to a lawn so it’s often best to leave your grass to grow a little longer in these conditions."

There are other essential summer lawn care tips to follow to ensure you maintain a healthy garden during the remainder of the summer months. Then to transition there are essential winter lawn care tips to prepare the grass for the dormant months ahead.

Knowing how to mow a lawn is essential for many homeowners. But, it's easy to go about it in the wrong way – whether that's tackling it at the wrong time, cutting it too short, or missing out the edges.

We asked industry experts for their top tips to avoid making the most common lawn care mistakes while undertaking this maintenance task, from the fundamental basics to advice on creating defined stripes. 

Below, you'll find a step-by-step guide and some handy FAQs, so you can tackle your stretch of green with confidence and get beautiful results with every mow.

How to mow a lawn in 5 simple steps

Knowing how often to mow a lawn is crucial for keeping your grass in good condition, as is using the right tools. There are many mowers on the market to suit a range of budgets, and some include rollers for a distinct striped look. You may also need a tool for tidying up the edges, be it a grass trimmer or a set of gardening shears.

1. Clear the space

Before you fire up the mower, check your lawn is clear of debris and other items. As Paul points out, obstacles such as pebbles and pots can damage or wear the mowing line or blades of your tools.

2. Check the blade height

A crucial step in learning how to mow a lawn successfully is to check that the mower blades are at a suitable length before you start. 

Guy Jenkins, Johnsons Lawn Seed’s consumer manager, warns that mowing grass too short is one of the worst things you can do to your lawn during the growing season. Doing so starves the grass plants, he explains – they can’t photosynthesise or retain moisture effectively. Plus, they are less likely to spread into a thick carpet, meaning weeds in your grass can more easily take hold.

"Look at one of the many grass plants that make up your lawn," Guy advises. "Are the leaves visible, or is it all stalk?" If it’s the latter, you’ve been mowing too closely. You can play it safe by using the two-thirds rule, he points out, which is to only cut away the top third of your grass.

Remember to set the blades at their highest for the first cut after winter.

Top tip: Guy says, "Make sure the mower blades are sharp and not blunt." Blunt blades can create severe stress on the lawn, scalp the grass, and leave patchy gaps, creating the perfect environment for weeds to grow and flourish, he warns. 

Peter Chaloner, managing director of Cobra, says, "If you think your blades need sharpening, take your tool to a professional or ensure you have the correct tools and safety equipment to undertake the task correctly and safely. We recommend sharpening your lawn mower blades a couple of times a year at a minimum."

3. Get mowing

Start by mowing a line right around the edge of your lawn. This creates space to turn your mower in after each row.

Next, move your mower into one of the corners of your lawn. Mow in a straight line across the length of your lawn (it helps to find a visual point opposite to aim towards, such as a spot on the fence). 

Carefully turn the mower around at the end, then walk it back to the other end of the lawn – and repeat. As you go, overlap the side of the mower slightly over the line of where you just cut, to avoid missing any areas.

Experts advise not to walk too fast, to optimise the cut-and-collection efficiency of your mower. Empty the clippings box into your compost heap as needed. Alternatively, you may decide to keep the grass clippings on the lawn as a mulch.

4. Trim the edges

Now it's time to trim the edges of your lawn for that polished look. There are a few ways to go about this. 

Cheryl Harper, managing director of Greensleeves Lawn Care, says you can use a pair of long-handled edging shears to trim the grass on the edge line. "You can also use ordinary garden shears," she adds, "but edging shears are more efficient and easier to use."

Alternatively, you can use an electric trimmer with a rotating head. Paul says, "Don’t take big swings with a grass trimmer. For a neat, flat cut, take small steps and do gentle movements from side to side, with the garden tool's head positioned just above the ground."

If grass has grown onto your garden paths or patio, Cheryl recommends using a sharp gardening knife. Cut the turf just along the edge, she instructs, then pull the pieces away and put them on your compost.

"You’ll need to do this fairly often to maintain your edging, particularly in the months when the grass is growing at its fastest rate," Cheryl adds. "Keeping your lawn edges looking great is a fantastic way to maintain their shape and help your garden as a whole to look well-maintained and tidy."

5. Clean your mower afterwards

Guy says, "It is highly recommended that you clean your lawn mower after each mowing session, to prevent the undercarriage from becoming clogged with grass cuttings and other debris. This can lead to decreased performance as well as the potential spread of lawn diseases."

Ensure the mower is switched off and safely disconnected from power beforehand – it must not be able to accidentally turn on as you're cleaning. "We advise using a wire brush or a damp cloth to remove any debris that has attached itself to the mower's deck," Guy says.

FAQs

How do you create defined stripes on a lawn?

"The stripe effect is achieved with a roller mower, which folds the grass over when the roller goes over it," explains Paul Hicks of Stihl. "As you mow in alternate directions, the light hitting the grass gives the effect of different colours; lighter when the grass is folded away from you."

Peter says, "Before you start mowing, make sure your grass is at the right height for striping. It's best to let your grass grow slightly longer than normal, as longer grass bends more easily and creates more defined stripes."

It's also important to know how often to fertilise your lawn. "Well-fertilised grass will show off those stripes best, so keep your lawn well-watered and maintained," Peter says. "Remember to mow at a steady speed to get an even bend in the grass," he adds.

What time of day is best to mow a lawn?

It's best not to cut grass in the heat, or when it's wet, as both can damage it. Guy recommends mowing during the mid-morning. Mow any earlier, and the grass may still be damp from morning dew. Mow in the afternoon, and the sun can burn the freshly-cut grass, particularly in the warmer months.

Learning how to mow a lawn correctly will help you get verdant turf, but there are other steps to take on board, too. These include aerating your lawn, getting rid of moss, and watering it in the summer.

Don't forget about safety gear, too. Paul says to always wear appropriate PPE when mowing a lawn, such as safety boots, gloves and goggles. Use a face shield when using a grass trimmer, for protection from flying debris.

Keeping your lawn looking its best all year round can seem like an impossible task especially when nature is against you. This is why it's infuriating when you have to worry about pests like leatherjackets eating away at your hard work, and no we're not talking about the stylish statement outerwear. 

Even when you follow all the essential summer lawn care tips and keep on top of watering and mowing your grass can fall victim to aggressively destructive pests. Similar to how you can get rid of ant nests in your lawn, knowing how to tackle the insects as quickly as possible is the key to protecting your beloved lawn. 

Whilst you may have never heard of leatherjackets before now, they're becoming increasingly common, especially with newly built lawns and you might want to be prepared just in case they come for your lawn. We spoke to leading pest control experts for advice on how to get rid of leatherjackets in a lawn for good.

How to get rid of leatherjackets in a lawn

As you might not know how to even recognise a leatherjacket if you saw one never mind remove them from your lawn, you'll no doubt be more familiar with stopping daddy long legs coming into your house instead, we asked some garden experts for their advice and knowledge. 

"Leatherjackets are the larvae of the crane fly, more commonly known as daddy longlegs, and they cause damage to lawns by feasting on the roots of the grass," explains Craig Wilson, Co-founder, director & in-house gardening expert at Gardeners Dream. "New-built homes are particularly susceptible to leatherjacket infestations due to the fresh turf often used in their gardens, which can become an ideal breeding ground for these pests."

When it comes to the pest control of leatherjackets, you won't be able to use eggshells in your garden as a deterrent as it will take something a little stronger. 

Craig is quick to stress the importance of using preventative measures to keep the pests away from the beginning but should you find yourself with an already established infestation here are some things you can do to regain your lawn back. 

1. Use natural nematodes

If you prefer more sustainable garden ideas, then using biological methods to remove leatherjackets from your lawn may be the best course of action. 

Craig explains that one of the more effective ways to get rid of these lawn-destroying pests is to use nematods which are also environmentally friendly. He says, "These microscopic worms enter the leatherjacket larvae,  infecting them and stopping them from feeding within around three days. Subsequently, the leatherjackets will die after about 14 days." 

The nematodes then reenter the soil underneath the grass and continue the same process on any other lurking pests. This is a fast-acting natural way of removing unwanted critters from your garden and naturally lasts much longer than other pest control methods. 

Craig does point out that leatherjackets are more vulnerable between late summer and early autumn, so he suggests this timeframe for tackling them with nematodes. 

2. Manual removal

Unlike how to stop foxes coming into your garden, you can take a more hands-on approach to leatherjackets. Whilst it might not be on the top of your favourite garden tasks list, removing the larvae by hand can be surprisingly effective. 

"For smaller or more manageable areas, physically removing leatherjackets by hand can be a simple yet effective method. It involves manually extracting the grubs from the soil, which can help reduce their numbers significantly," explains Craig. 

Of course, make sure to wear protective gear and when it comes to discarding the pests, you can take a more humane approach and put them in a woodland far away from residential homes. 

3. Aerate your soil

If you really want to keep it natural then aerating your lawn is a helpful trick for disturbing the leatherjacket's ideal environment. Aerating is also useful if you're wondering what to do if your lawn is yellow!

Speaking to Ryan, he explains that by aerating the soil in your garden you can improve the drainage which will bother the leatherjackets as they thrive in moist conditions. He says, "You should also encourage predators like birds to enter your garden by leaving areas with leatherjackets exposed to the elements."

Alongside aerating, Ryan also recommends regularly mowing the lawn as it will expose areas of grass whilst simultaneously disrupting the lifecycles of the pests. This method is the least disruptive and will be the healthiest option for your lawn, it won't however have the most rapid effect on the leatherjackets. 

Knowing how often you should aerate your lawn is also important for keeping your grass looking its best. 

4. Chemical treatments

Similar to how you'd use insecticides as a way to keep ants away, you can choose to go the chemical route to rid your lawn of leatherjackets. However, most garden experts would argue that this should be a last resort due to the damage it can cause to other plant life, the environment and even yourself. 

"Pesticides can be used as a last resort, but just remember to opt for environmentally friendly ones and try to use more ecologically sustainable methods first before you introduce these to your garden," says Ryan Fowley, a pest removal expert and COO at Excel Pest Services.

We especially don't recommend opting for the pesticide option if you're participating in the rewilding trend as this will more often than not damage any progress you've created with attracting native plants and wildlife to your garden. 

FAQ

Can you prevent leatherjackets from coming back? 

As mentioned previously, prevention is key with these types of pests. Craig says that maintaining a healthy lawn is the best defence against leatherjackets. So make sure you know how to keep your garden healthy while on holiday, you don't want to return to a swarm of unwanted guests. 

"Whilst it might not completely deter them, regular aeration and the use of a high-quality feeding program can keep your grass robust enough to withstand and recover from leatherjacket damage,” he explains. 

Not only is aerating your lawn a great method for getting rid of the larvae but it's also helpful with prevention too. Craig points out that aerating your lawn can be really beneficial in drying out your soil slightly, which makes it more difficult for eggs to hatch and for the larvae to thrive. 

What are the symptoms of a lawn with leatherjackets?

Whilst you might not have spotted the leatherjackets themselves, there are some obvious signs to be found with your grass that will tell you immediately that you've got a pest issue. 

"Identifying a leatherjacket problem early is crucial to preventing significant lawn damage. Look out for signs such as increased bird activity on your lawn or visible yellow patches. Both of these might indicate that there is an infestation beneath the surface," says Craig. 

Phi Dang, garden expert and head of operations at Calibre Cleaning, says that easily uplifted grass is also a surefire sign of leather jackets. He explains that if your grass loosens and lifts easily, it's because the pests are eating away at your turf roots.  He recommends regularly checking your lawn for any clear signs.

If you've avoided all the lawn care mistakes and are still seeing these signs then chances are that you've got a leatherjackets infestation. But by following the methods above you should be able to quickly get control of the situation and remove them before the damage is truly repairable. 

If you're worried that you won't realise you have a leatherjacket problem until it's too late Phi suggests monitoring your lawn with traps. He says, "You can control the adult crane fly population by implementing light traps during early autumn. This assists you in monitoring the potential for leatherjacket problems as well as timing your treatments more effectively." 

Hopefully, now you have all this knowledge on the grass-destroying pests, the only leather jacket in your life will be the one hanging in your capsule wardrobe. 

The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence – especially if your lawn is filled with dips, lumps, and slopes. If such imperfections trouble you, follow our step-by-step guide on how to level a lawn, to get your plot Wimbledon-worthy in no time.

It's one of those timeless garden trends: a beautifully green lawn. If yours is filled with lumps and bumps, though, you'll find it incredibly difficult to maintain and show your grass the TLC it deserves. 

That's right: it doesn't matter if you avoid all of the major lawn care mistakes because it's almost impossible to mow your lawn if it's uneven, let alone tend to all of its other needs. 

Learning how to level a lawn, however, will change all of that – and for the better, too. Here's to Wimbledon-worthy grass.

How to level a lawn: an easy expert guide

It may not be high on your list of priorities, but sussing out how to level a lawn isn't just a surefire route to smoother surfaces: it also makes for healthier, happier grass, too.

“To ensure healthy and rejuvenated grass growth, it’s important to take the time to prepare the ground and level your lawn," says Miranda Barrett, gardening accessories executive at Wilkinson Sword.

With that in mind, then, here are the tools you will need to get the job done:

What you will need

• Small weeding knife
• Spade or turfing iron
• 3-pronged cultivator
• Lawnmower

Here's our expert guide to levelling your lawn and getting it looking its best.

1. Choose your moment wisely

There's no point starting this job at the wrong time: learning how to level a lawn is all well and good, but its success hinges on when you do it.

"You want to tackle this job in the springtime," says Christopher O'Donoghue, one of the co-directors at Gardens Revived. 

"Keep an eye on the weather forecast, and try to plan it so you avoid a rainy day."

2. Mow and remove debris

Just as scarifying your lawn is a great way to rejuvenate your grass, so, too, is levelling yours – and the first step in the process (after mowing the grass, of course) is getting rid of weeds in your grass.

"Begin by removing any weeds from the soil to prevent any hindrances to new growth," says Miranda, who advises you to use a weeding knife to "cut out deep-rooted weeds without damaging surrounding areas". 

"It's important to carefully cut around weeds and pull them out by the roots to prevent regrowth," she adds. "Being thorough when removing weeds now will save time later down the line and create a clean slate for the new lawn to grow.”

Christopher adds that you should remove any debris, too, such as large rocks or branches, as these could interfere with the levelling process.

3. Attack your shallow dips

Once all weeds and debris have been removed, it's time to apply a layer of topdressing – a mixture of two parts soil, two parts sand, and one part compost – to all of the low areas (about 1-2cm deep) that need to be raised/levelled off.

"Be sure to use a rake to spread it evenly across the grass," says Christopher, "and compact it down using your feet, before watering it to remove any air pockets."

Once this is done, sprinkle over some grass seed, and keep watering as directed on the packet. You should see new shoots appear in about 1-2 weeks. 

Christopher jokingly adds: "Wait until you think it's not worked and then give it a few more days." Patience is a virtue.

4. Tackle your deeper dips

If you have dips of 2-3cm deep, water the area well, and then work a spade or turfing iron carefully under the grassroots to lift the turf. "You're aiming to create a flap and lift it out," says Christopher.

Miranda suggests you "use a 3-prong cultivator to give the ground another once-over and further break up any stubborn clumps, refine the soil’s texture and smooth out any remaining imperfections". 

"This will glide through the top layer of heavy soil breaking up any clusters of stony ground, an important step in creating a level, aesthetically pleasing lawn and promoting even distribution of growth," she says.

Then, fill the areas with your topdressing mixture – but take care to compact between applications, to ensure it's level. The aim is to gradually build them up to match the surrounding lawn.

You'll want to roll your turf back into place, fill the cut marks with the topdressing mixture, and apply some grass seed (again, taking care to water as directed).

5. Remove lumps and bumps

The easiest way to level off lumps and bumps is to carefully lift your turf (following the same steps listed above), before setting to work removing any excess soil, stones, or debris.

Compact the soil using your feet, then carefully lower your turf back into place.

You'll want to apply some topdressing to the cuts, and (you guessed it) sprinkle over some grass seed.

"If you're also filling in holes, you can actually use the excess soil from your lumps and bumps in place of topdressing," says Christopher.

6. Water and overseed

Once you've finished levelling your lawn, you'll want to water it thoroughly to help settle the topdressing and encourage the grass to reestablish itself. And, if the process has caused any damage to your existing grass, you might like to consider overseeding your lawn, too.

FAQs

How do you level an uneven lawn?

When sussing out how to level a lawn, it's important to figure out whether the problem is caused by dips/holes or raised areas. 

If it's the former, you'll want to fill the areas with topdressing to bring them up level to the rest of the lawn, taking care to compact it to ensure it doesn't sink down again the next time it rains.

If it's the latter, you'll need to carefully lift your turf to remove any excess soil or debris, before lowering your turf back into place.

You will, whichever process you adopt, need to cover your cut areas with topdressing, water the area well, and sprinkle it over with grass seed to ensure a vibrant lawn. 

Adhering to essential summer lawn care tips will keep it that way until it's ready to tackle winter lawn care jobs.

Can you level a lawn without removing grass?

If the level doesn't need to come up by much (say, your dips are around 1-2cm deep) you can simply apply topdressing to the area and compact it down.

"You should tease a rake over the top of the area to break the surface of the soil and encourage your existing blades of grass to poke through," says Christopher.

Then, water it well and sprinkle over some grass seed.

Do you need to rake the area when levelling a lawn?

It's a good idea to rake the area before you add your topdressing (and after), with the aim of removing any large debris or rocks.

“With the groundwork laid, it’s always a good idea to fine-tune the surface with a lawn rake," says Miranda. 

"A fan rake is perfect for cleaning up debris, removing unwanted growth and helping surface aeration. This step will create an ideal environment for sowing seeds or laying sod by evening out bumps and dips," she continues.

"The resulting smooth, flat surface not only enhances the lawn's appearance but also simplifies future maintenance tasks such as mowing. The soil should have a fine, crumbly texture to create the ideal environment for seeds to germinate and grow.”

Now that you know how to level a lawn, you can rest assured that your grass is going to look its very best come summer – and that your lawn chair won't wobble incessantly the next time you set it up to host a BBQ and outdoor living room area.

Just be sure to mark your calendar so that you don't forget to set to work in the springtime (April is ideal): it'll save you a hell of a lot of work when it comes to watering your lawn, trust us.

Now is the time of year to start asking the all-important lawn care questions, with when to overseed a lawn being a top priority because knowing when to plant grass seed in spring is all about timing.

It's so pressing right now because the window is relatively small for awakening dormant grass with care to provide the best steps of preservation for the summer months ahead. Avoiding common lawn care mistakes early on ensures healthier, happier grass later down the line.

Much like gauging when to first cut grass after winter it can seem all too easy to assume spring is 'ok' but there are several factors to consider besides the calendar alignment. So with that, we ask grass and lawn care experts when we should be overseeding lawns to offer professional guidance to give our plots the best chance to thrive.

When to overseed a lawn, according to experts

Spring is technically the best time to overseed a lawn but there are certain caveats to that. "To get the best results from overseeding, we are looking for the weather when the temperature is mild yet still tends to bring along plenty of rainy days, such as during months of spring or autumn," advises Chris 

"For seeds to grow, they need the right conditions for germination. Seed germination relies on warm soil temperature, around 8-100C, and plenty of moisture, all of which can be experienced during spring and autumn in the UK."

"The best time to overseed a lawn is either in the springtime between March and May, or late summer into early autumn (so from the end of August to September), " agrees RHS-trained gardener Andrew O'Donoghue, who set up Gardens Revived with his brother to care for residential gardens and large estates with some exceeding 70 acres – many with historical significance.

"These stretches usually boast daytime temperatures that are still warm enough to encourage growth, as well as cooler nights to give new seedlings a break, not to mention a good amount of rainfall to help everything settle in."

"Avoid overseeding in high summer,” Andrew warns, as we know from essential summer lawn care tips, that hot summer conditions can play havoc with the well-being of grass.

How to overseed an existing lawn: 7 expert tips

It may be that your existing patch of grass has been lying dormant for the winter months and needs a bit of maintenance to restore it to its former glory. 

"You may want to overseed your existing lawn and repair any bare or thin spots after the winter," suggests Chris. If that's the case here are his expert tips for getting the perfect finish:

• Firstly you need to remove any dead grass, weeds, or moss: You can do this by scarifying/raking the area. Chris shares his tip for getting rid of weeds, saying: "You can do this by digging weeds out by the roots, which helps ensure they won’t return. "However, if moss and weeds are seen across the entire surface of your garden and if your lawn is at least six months old, then our Feed, Weed and Moss Killer product will be the most effective solution. This works over two weeks to eradicate weeds and moss." It's best to leave the prepared area to cultivate for 10-14 days. This encourages dormant weeds to appear, which can be removed by hand.

• Once you have removed the weeds, moss and thatch from your lawn, you can mow it. "It’s best to do the mowing now because you won’t be able to for six weeks after sowing the new grass seed," Chris explains.
• Rake the area enough so that the soil is loose: Existing turf can be hard for the seeds to penetrate without the act of loosening the soil.
• Sow the seed at our recommended rate of 35g per meter squared: You can do this by hand or using a seed spreader. "Sow between 5mm and 10mm beneath the surface," Chris advises.
• Rake the seed in after sowing: This process ensures that the seed is completely covered in the surrounding soil.
• Firm down to improve seed-to-soil contact: This can be done by foot or by using a specialist roller.
• Water well: When overseeding an existing lawn you still need to water it well for up to 6 weeks – just keep an area where patches are more in need than others to avoid waterlogging your lawn.

As Chris stipulates earlier it's best to leave moving until at least 6 weeks before you mow your newly overseeded lawn. "Your lawn will be ready for its first mow when the grass is 5-7cm tall," he says. 

When you do finally resume the routine of how often you mow the lawn be mindful to take a softer approach to the first cut after overseeding a lawn. "Mow the entire lawn (old and new grass) on the highest setting on your mower before dropping to the recommended height for your mix," advises Chris.

As we start to welcome warmer weather it's time to tend to lawns and awaken dormant grass with due diligence. And who better to guide us on what to do first than garden royalty Monty Don, who has shared his essential lawn care tips for March.

Despite the popular garden trend of rewilding and letting lawns grow, there are still essential jobs to tackle at this time of the year to enable your grass to thrive all summer long. 

Lawn care mistakes are common at this time of the year because the weather can be unpredictable, meaning sudden downpours can make knowing when to cut grass for the first time after winter and timing other key jobs feel like a risky business. 

Fear not, Monty Don suggests a job that can be done this month no matter what the weather has in store. On his much-loved blog of tips and advice, he outlines the jobs to do for lawns in March recommending: "giving the lawn a good scratch with a wire rake. This will get at all the overwintering thatch and moss, and let light and water get to the soil and to the roots of the grass."

Monty Don's lawn care tips to follow in March

Monty's advice to 'give the lawn a good scratch with a wire rake' is essentially the act of scarifying a lawn, a popular technique that removes moss or dead organic matter from the surface of the grass by using a rake to comb the surface.

When removing the top layer of dead organic matter and moss commonly known as 'the thatch', timing can prove tricky because it's less straightforward than knowing when to mow. Although experts say you shouldn't scarify a wet lawn it's still a job you should do this month. 

After performing the act of 'scratching' your lawn, to coin Monty's phrase, he recommends: "Put the debris on the compost and then mow. It will look a little bald for a week or so but will grow back thicker than ever." 

"The grass will need mowing in March but do not cut it too short," Monty warns. "Just give it a light trim for the rest of this month. This will encourage good root growth and as a result, the grass will be a lot healthier and better able to resist summer drought." 

By that time your reawakened grass will be ready to start considering how often you should mow the lawn for the months ahead plotting in a fertilising routine and planting grass seed where necessary.

Getting ahead of essential summer lawn care prevents any issues further down the line, to ensure your grass stays healthy and looks its best during the sunshine months to be ready to throw garden parties and host BBQs at the drop of a hat.

Following Monty Don on Instagram is a great way to stay on top of all his latest tips and guidance to help improve our gardens, like his genius Bulb Lasagne planting method. 

Helpfully he breaks it down on his blog into months to ensure all the best jobs are covered like a checklist, from plants to prune in January, plants to prune in February, plants to prune in March and so on. 

We like to think we all know the basics, however, it turns out there are common lawn care mistakes we're probably all making that could be jeopardising our efforts.

More than a mere patch of grass, the lawn is the heart of any garden and therefore needs to look its best to enhance the surrounding plants and garden trend-inspired landscaping. 

But whoever said lawn care was easy? From mowing to sowing, scarifying to aerating lawns are high maintenance and require a lot of TLC throughout the seasons. Not to mention that there are easy lawn care mistakes to be made during every step of the process, which can compromise the appearance of the grass. 

Luckily we've spoken to horticultural experts who reveal the most common lawn care mistakes, from misjudging how often you mow your lawn to planting grass seed under the wrong conditions. 

15 lawn care mistakes and how to avoid them

Our team of gardening experts explains how to rectify or avoid the most common lawn care mistakes altogether.

1. Tending to core lawn care in the wrong conditions

With all lawn care being about timing this one can be the biggest mistake. Take for instance when to first cut grass after winter it's easy to assume that the first sign of sunshine in spring welcomes the perfect opportunity to mow the grass that has laid dormant during the winter months but it's not that simple. Same as with when to aerate or fertilise a lawn, the climate is more important than the date. 

"Getting the timing right is the key to keeping your lawn healthy and ensuring that you are doing no unnecessary harm to it," says Chris McIlroy, a gardening expert at The Grass People.

 "As a rule of thumb, we recommend waiting until temperatures are consistently above 8 degrees before you think about mowing your lawn. When temperatures are below 8 degrees, your grass is typically in a state of dormancy, where it grows a very small amount, so slowly, it’s almost unnoticeable."

The same goes for fertilizer, as Teri points out: "Fertiliser is best applied to a well-hydrated, actively growing lawn in the early morning or evening. Active growth depends on grass type. Cool-season lawns (like fescues, bluegrass, and ryegrass) begin actively growing when temps start hitting above 40-49 degrees F. Warm-season lawns begin growing when temps hold consistently above 60-69 degrees F."

2. Mowing too uniformly

No matter how often you mow your lawn it can be more about how you mow that can damage the blades of the grass. While most gardeners strive for a beautifully striped lawn it turns out the act of only moving in precise straight lines could be detrimental to the growth of healthy grass. 

"Varying your mowing pattern is good for your lawn over time as it means you’re not repeatedly forcing the grass to bend in one particular direction," explains Carlos Real, a lawn care expert, and managing director at TotalLawn. 

"Instead, one week start at the top of your garden and finish at the bottom and alternate it the next time you mow. This will make the stripes look slightly different, and result in stronger and more resilient grass over time.”

3. Cutting grass too short

As well as the direction of your mowing another mistake can be the height at which you cut. "When cutting your lawn, the most common mistake many people make is cutting the grass too short," says Gemma Vincent, product manager at lawn mower specialists Hayter. "We advise not to cut more than one-third off at a time as a good rule of thumb."

Explaining why this mistake proves so costly, Gemma explains: "Cutting your grass any shorter than this, and you'll be damaging it, leaving your lawn susceptible to pests, heat stress, and disease."

“Mowing too short ends up scalping the lawn and doing more harm than good," adds Peter Chaloner, an expert at lawnmower manufacturer Cobra. "Most lawnmowers have an adjustable height level that raises the blades from the grass to prevent scalping, which can stress the grass."

Cutting the grass too short can strip the lawn of essential moisture and cause it to dry out: "whereas a higher cut will help stimulate grass growth and encourage the blades to thicken over time," explains Peter.

4. Blind seeding without testing PH levels

Soil PH levels are often overlooked but are crucial to plant health - including how your grass grows. You'll see different seeds and fertiliser options varied to suit the different types of soil, depending on it they are acidic or alkaline. Not knowing this can be a big mistake when treating your lawn.

"Most homeowners jump straight into planting grass, but a crucial first step is understanding your soil," says gardening expert Oliver Johnson at HomeAdviceGuide. "Testing its pH level is vital. Grass thrives in slightly acidic conditions, ideally between 6 and 6.5. Amending the soil with lime if it's too acidic can significantly improve your lawn's health."

5. Treating a stressed lawn

When grass is visibly 'stressed' it's best to avoid carrying out any form of gardening chore – a more common summer lawn care mistake. It's best all around to give the grass time to recover, otherwise, you risk causing further trauma.

For example, don't try to feed or mow a scorched lawn. “Don’t apply fertilizer to drought or heat-stressed lawns," says Teri Valenzuela, natural science manager at lawn care specialists Sunday. 

"If your lawn is experiencing heat or drought stress, lightly water the crown (the part just above the soil) to keep it alive, but don’t fertilize, stop mowing, and stay off of it until it starts greening up again."

6. Watering at incorrect times of the day

A common mistake we probably all make is watering the lawn at the wrong or least ideal time of the day. There's the temptation to water the grass during intense sunshine to relieve the lawn of the heat or at the end of the day after the sun has set, but both are actually detrimental to growing healthy grass.

"The best time to water the lawn is in the early morning as this allows the grass to absorb the water throughout the day," explains Jay Betts, a grass expert at lawn care specialist LawnStarter.

"When watering in the middle of a hot day, a good portion of the water will evaporate before reaching the roots not giving the grass the necessary water it needs to grow. And while watering in the evening might seem like a sound idea, it’s not advisable either as not having enough sunlight will allow the water to sit on the grass for too long which can lead to lawn diseases and fungus."

Consider the latest rainwater harvesting ideas to embrace a more sustainable gardening solution to watering your lawn.

7. Over watering

In addition to knowing when to water, it's important to know how much to water, because overwatering is another common lawn care mistake. 

"With watering the lawn at the right time of the day also comes watering the grass just enough which leads to one of the other most common mistakes, overwatering the lawn," says Jay. "Grass only needs about an inch of water per week."

"The easiest way to know how much water your lawn is getting is by installing a small rain gauge however if you don’t want to do that, it’s recommended you have one to two days of watering the lawn per week and again you want to do this in the morning."

8. Neglecting to fertilise when most needed

Feeding lawns can often be overlooked, with the assumption that water and sunlight are all a lawn needs – which can be true to a certain extent, but fertiliser delivers the extra nutrients your lawn needs for healthier grass. 

"In most lawns, soil can provide all, if not most of the nutrients (like nitrogen) that your grass needs to grow," says Teri. "While ideally, your lawn has healthy soil and receives enough nutrients from the soil - that’s not always the case. In these instances, or when you’d like to ensure sustained growth, fertilising your lawn is a great supplemental addition to your lawn routine."

So how often should you fertilise your lawn? "It depends, but generally speaking 2-3 times per year depending on fertilizer preference and goals for your lawn," explains Teri. "If you use granular fertiliser, you may be limited to two applications per season. Whereas liquid fertiliser can be applied more frequently as it applies lower, targeted amounts of nutrients per application."

9. Applying fertiliser unevenly

It may sound obvious, but it's also far too easy to do and can result in patchy, unpleasing results. “Apply fertiliser uniformly across your lawn to ensure even distribution of nutrients and even growth,” says Teri. 

“Missing a few spots here or there likely won’t be noticeable, but you’ll be able to recognize over time the areas that you might be missing completely.”

10. Using weed killer

While a lawn full of weeds is not a welcome sight, nor too is a patchy lawn with dead patches caused by the application of weed killer – there are alternative ways to get rid of weeds in a lawn.

"Avoid any fertiliser products that contain herbicide or ‘weed killer’," says Teri. "These are traditionally called ‘weed and feeds’ and contain pesticides. Not only do these products require the user to spread pesticides across their lawn, they also can harm growing grass seed and beneficial insects, like pollinators."

Always check the product label to determine if you’re applying a fertiliser with herbicide properties.

11. Scarifying wet grass

Experts are all in agreement on whether you can scarify a wet lawn, and the answer is a resounding no. While it's possible to do the job on wet grass the experts would never recommend it because you run a greater risk of pulling up the roots due to softer soil conditions. 

"It’s best to dethatch (Scarify) the grass when the soil is moist – not wet and not dry,' says Barry Galvin, an expert at lawn care service provider Lawn Starter. "We recommend watering your lawn thoroughly 2 days before dethatching."

12. Aerating too frequently

While aerating a lawn is a good practice it is only necessary at very specific times and actually how often you should aerate a lawn is far less than people think.

"Whilst it may seem like a good idea to aerate as often as possible, it can do more harm than good to you and your lawn," explains Chris. "Generally, aeration is a good practice to carry out every once in a while to improve drainage and alleviate compaction, but it shouldn’t become a regular practice in any garden."

"Try to confine spiking to compacted areas, and don’t do this too often. When using a garden fork, only do this once a year," suggests Chris. "If using a hollow-tine aerator, cut this down further to once every three years."

Experts recommend aerating your lawn only once a year, typically in the fall or spring when the grass is actively growing.

Gently pricking the surface to aid with watering and fertilising can be done a little more regularly but remember this method won’t solve deep compaction issues.

13. Failing to rake away debris frequently enough

Leaving freshly cut grass remnants on top of the lawn straight after you mow is a good practice, according to experts, to reap the rewards of any lost nutrients that are still present in the discarded blades. However, what is not recommended by experts is to allow the dead matter to reside on the lawn for any length of time.

“Letting rotting leaves (and the like) build up on your lawn can damage the grass underneath," says Martin Seddon, development manager for Wilkinson Sword. "Keep your lawn free of debris by using a Lawn Rake." 

We recommend this Wilkinson sword Adjustable Lawn Rake, £14.94 at Amazon.

"Also break up any thatch which may have accumulated on your lawn, by lightly raking across it. Concentrate on dead spots as your lawn starts to turn green again so that you can target areas that have been impacted by the cold of winter. In summer, don’t make the mistake of heavily raking as you can damage the delicate roots.”

14. Using lawns too soon after treating

Whether you're watering or feeding the grass there needs to be a rest period before you start using your lawn again – a big consideration if you're throwing a garden party or hosting a BBQ. 

Allowing time for water or fertilizer to settle in ensures the nutrients are fully absorbed, rather than disturbed at the surface level by walking across the grass.

"Avoid activity on your lawn until the fertilizer has dried or has been properly watered in to ensure the grass absorbs the fertilizer properly and fertilizer is uniformly distributed," says Teri.

15. Conforming to traditional expectations

And finally, one of the biggest mistakes we can all make in this day and age is to conform to expectations. Who says the perfect lawn has to be a green, neat patch of grass, in fact, this year one of the biggest rewilding garden trends for 2024 is the idea of encouraging low-maintenance lawns.

“This year we’re encouraging people to ‘re-wild’ their gardens and use any patch of ground that they can to increase biodiversity, including lawns," explains Dr. Ana Attlee from Seedball. "Grow a mixture of wildflowers by scattering a lawn mix and cut out little patches of grass for the balls to grow, making sure to water them well.” 

Scattering seeds at random welcomes a wild meadow feel for lawns, in place of neatly cut traditional grass. The mixture of buttercups, dandelions, White Clover, Birdsfoot Trefoil, Red Clover, and Common Knapweed introduces colour and life to modern lawns.

Knowing when to first cut grass after winter is essential for encouraging a luscious lawn that'll thrive all summer long. Get it wrong and you run the risk of damaging the health of the grass.

With warmer temperatures and signs of spring appearing it's easy to see why now may feel like the perfect time to awaken the lawn to welcome a new lease of life after it's been dormant for months. However, the milder weather doesn't necessarily mean it's the opportune time to get the mower out and start replicating the latest garden trends.

Getting the timing right is key to avoiding any lawn care mistakes because with just one bad mow all your hard work and lawn maintenance can be undone. 

Similar to assessing how often you need to mow the lawn or when to plant grass seed, the answer will vary slightly depending on the condition of your grass and the weather in your region. 

We've spoken to lawn care professionals and garden landscape experts who revealed the best time to cut your lawn for the season - plus, tips on how to get the first trim of the year just right.

When to first cut grass after winter, according to experts

As the winter starts to ease, those with a backyard will start to think about getting out there to prep the grass for summer, but when and how you first cut the grass after winter is crucial for a happy, healthy patch of turf for the rest of the year ahead.

"Getting the timing right is the key to keeping your lawn healthy and making sure that you are doing no unnecessary harm to it," warns Chris McIlroy, a lawn expert at The Grass People. "As a rule of thumb, we recommend waiting until temperatures are consistently above 8 degrees before you think about mowing your lawn. When temperatures are below 8 degrees, your grass is typically in a state of dormancy, where it grows a very small amount, so slowly, it’s almost unnoticeable."

"Depending on where you live, those temperatures will come at different stages of the year. Make sure that if there is any sign of frost you avoid mowing as this can damage grass blades and increase the chance of diseases taking hold in your lawn," Chris explains. "You should also avoid mowing grass when it’s wet, try to cut on days when the grass has had a chance to dry, and don’t cut early in the morning if there is dew on the lawn."

"It’ll vary depending on your local weather, but we’d normally recommend doing the first cut of the year in late March or early April to be sure that frosts have ended," advises Gemma Vincent, product manager at Hayter.

"For the most part, it will be during March when you begin to mow," agrees Chris. "By April, if you haven’t already started, all parts of the country should be experiencing temperatures where they can. Begin by mowing as grass requires it, this shouldn’t be much more than twice in April. Once the weather starts to pick up in May this can be pushed up to once a week."

"Don’t be tempted to mow too early, especially if we still have colder overnight temperatures," warns Guy Jenkins, consumer manager at Johnsons Lawn Seed. "Starting too early in the season can spell trouble for your lawn as premature mowing can stress the dormant grass blades, weaken the root system, and increase susceptibility to disease.

It can also lead to thatch buildup and encourage weed growth, disrupting the grass's natural processes during its dormant period."

5 expert tips for the first grass cut after winter

"Mowing the lawn is one of the more straightforward tasks when looking after your lawn’s health but there are a couple of rules to follow to make sure you’re doing everything right," explains Chris. 

So here are five simple rules and gardening tips the professionals recommend when carrying out the first cut of a lawn after winter...

1. Get your lawn mover serviced

You might not have thought about your lawn mower since it went into hibernation last year, but now is the time to give it a once-over. "Make sure your mower is in good condition," advises Chris. "A quick service, making sure blades are sharp, is well worth the time and effort as it could prevent lots of hassle down the line."

Gemma adds: "If you’ve had your mower serviced during the offseason, great – newly-sharpened blades will help ensure your first cut is as smooth as possible."

2. Inspect the ground and remove debris

"Always inspect the ground for snow or frost before you start mowing," advises Chris Bonnet, the founder of Gardening Express. "If there is any, wait until it melts, but make sure that the ground is not too wet or soft.,"

"Remember to remove any debris, such as fallen sticks or stones that could harm the blades of your mower. This is important because making sure the blades are sharp is essential for an even cut and healthy grass growth."

3. Avoid cutting grass too short

The same applies to general lawn mowing maintenance, but with the first cut after winter, it's even more essential not to cut the grass too short for the sake of your mower. "You should make sure that you cut your grass on the highest setting on your mower so as not to shock the blades," warns Chris. 

"It’s important that you avoid cutting your lawn too short on the first cut" agrees Gemma, "try not to cut each blade of grass more than 1/3 of its pre-mow length. After the first cut, you should aim to keep your grass at a consistent length throughout the course of the gardening year.”

Chris elaborates, "Following the first cut, you can drop the mowing height to the recommended height for your lawn. For fine lawns, the generally recommended height is 10-15 mm, for general-use lawns the recommended mowing height is 25-40 mm."

4. Aim for the longest lengths first

You don't need to mow your lawn as thoroughly as you normally would for the first cut of the year. Instead, cut the longest lengths first. "With the cutting blade raised a little higher than usual make sure to mow the longest patches of grass first, then go on to the shorter sections if needed," advises Chris.

"Grass doesn’t appreciate a hard cut at the start of the year, so you will often just take a small amount off the top. On a first cut, you may only cut those areas of the lawn that have grown a lot. You will gradually lower the blade over the next couple of cuts and therefore end up cutting the shorter sections later on."

5. Remove cuttings after the first cut

Like us, the lawn will be yearning for some warming sunny rays so be sure to clear the cuttings off the lawn after the initial cut after winter. "After first mowing, remove the cuttings to allow the grass to be exposed to the little sunshine that there is," suggests Chris Bonnet.

At other times of the year, experts advise that leaving the grass cuttings on the top of a lawn can provide the thriving lawn with valuable nutrients. So if you're not worried about the appearance you can leave them for future mows, but for now, remove them so the grass can absorb the sun's rays.

Is February too early to cut grass?

February may still be too early to safely cut grass because there is always the threat of temperatures dropping below the recommended  8 degrees, or even worse frosts. Grass is susceptible to damage from frost and therefore should be given the same care and consideration as you would protect plants from frost.

The advice is to wait until temperatures are consistently above 8 degrees before you think about mowing your lawn. When temperatures are below 8 degrees, your grass is typically still in a state of dormancy, where it grows an incremental amount, and therefore isn't ready for cutting because it won't grow back quickly enough to recover if the blades are too short to withstand unexpected frost damage. it also depends on the amount of rain forecast.

"The timing of your inaugural mow depends on the most talked about topic, the weather," says Guy. "Spring showers may leave your lawn damp, making it less than ideal for mowing. Wet grass can flatten under the mower blades, resulting in an uneven cut that can damage the grass and leave your lawn vulnerable to pests and diseases. It’s best to wait for a dry spell to ensure an effective and efficient mow."