Emily Smith
If the current heatwave has left you questioning whether you can cut grass in hot weather, you're not alone, because it's hard to gauge a best practice for mowing during unprecedented high temperatures.
The sudden spike in hot temperatures has left many homeowners unsure about making common lawn care mistakes because, similar to assessing if outdoor plants need watering every day or how often you should water hanging baskets, the heat changes any standard care routine.
Summer lawn care advice advocates that you should still mow the lawn during warmer weather, but with less frequency. But how hot is too hot to cut grass? We have consulted leading lawn care experts to find out for sure.
Should you cut grass in the hot weather? Expert advice
Similar to how often you should water a lawn changes during peak summer heat, any sudden spikes in temperatures can alter mowing routines. So, to mow, or not to mow during a heatwave – that is the question.
Chris McIllroy, lawn expert at The Grass People, says: “During hot weather or spells of drought, your lawn will be under greater stress, so mowing may end up doing more harm than good."
“While there is no exact temperature limit over which to avoid mowing your lawn, it’s probably better not to mow during heatwave conditions.”
How hot is too hot to mow the lawn?
What temperatures indicate it's too hot to mow the lawn? “There isn’t a temperature limit per se, but where there are consistent temperatures above 32 degrees and a lack of rainfall, the turf can struggle to retain its moisture," says Gemma Vincent, product manager at Hayter.
Therefore, it can be problematic to tend to any lawn care that poses any potential damage to the blades, such as cutting.
To stay on top of your mowing routine, Gemma advises: "The key to keeping your lawn looking tip-top during the warmer weather is keeping it watered. Of course, with the heatwave, this is even more crucial to know when you water your lawn. Irrigate every day if possible, but be careful not to drown the grass.”
Potential problems of mowing grass in hot weather
Mowing grass during the peak of hot weather can be detrimental to the overall well-being of your turf. “It can lead to unsightly brown patches as the ground struggles to maintain moisture and can cause longer-term damage such as dieback," warns Chris.
“These can both be expensive to repair, so this should be taken into account when deciding whether or not to mow your lawn in hot weather.”
“Another issue you may come across when mowing in hot weather is an increase in pests," warns Gemma. "Lots of insects, such as greenflies and black flies, gather as they love the heat."
To keep flies away from your home and garden, it might be an idea to avoid the temptation to mow the lawn.
What is the best way to cut grass in hot weather?
While it's advisable to avoid mowing during extremely hot weather, there are best practices for doing so. Much like determining when to first mow the grass after winter, method and timing are everything.
Follow these expert tips to ensure you are getting the best results and giving the necessary care your grass needs during extreme heat.
1. Don't mow the grass too short
Avoid scalping your lawn by raising the mower blades to carry out a shorter cut during hot weather. "If a lawn is mowed too short, it reduces the plants’ ability for growth," warns Gemma.
"When cut at the proper height, grass develops stronger roots that support more vigorous plants that are more tolerant of stress.
Never remove more than one-third of the grass height at one time. By doing so, the lawn is kept cooler because less plant tissue is removed.”
2. Mow at the right time of day
Never attempt to cut grass in the heat during the hottest part of the day because you risk causing the maximum amount of stress to the lawn.
“I recommend mowing your lawn in the evening when the high heat of the day has fallen," advises Chris. “Avoid doing it in the morning if you can, as hot weather normally leaves a dew on the ground in the morning and it's best not to mow when the lawn is wet or damp."
3. Leave grass cuttings on the lawn
Sudden extreme temperatures will also dictate whether you should leave grass cuttings on the lawn after mowing, because in hot weather, the grass benefits immensely from leaving them be.
Avoiding the temptation to box off grass cuttings for a more pristine appearance is a good idea to allow the grass cuttings on your lawn to act as a layer of mulch, which effectively traps moisture in the soil by slowing down evaporation caused by heat.
Gemma adds: “Also, when you cut your grass, the clippings which fall back into the soil are a better way of fertilising the grass naturally, preserving essential nutrients”.
FAQs
How can I stop my grass dying in the heat?
Just as you need to water garden plants more during hot weather, you'll need to supply more moisture to your grass throughout summer.
"One of the biggest tips we give homeowners is to give the lawn a deep soaking a couple of times a week rather than smaller amounts every day. Little and often isn’t the best policy when the sun is blaring," says Cheryl Harper, Managing Director of Greensleeves.
"Early morning or late evening is the best time to water, as it reduces evaporation and allows moisture to reach the roots. Deep watering encourages stronger, deeper root growth, making your lawn more resilient during dry spells," she adds.
If you want a long-term solution that will benefit your lawn for months, Cheryl recommends investing in a lawn hydration treatment. She explains that these optimise water absorption and retention, which will help keep your lawn green during dry spells.
Cheryl is Managing Director of Greensleeves Lawn Care, a UK-wide lawn care business with over 100 locations. For over 25 years, the business has treated over 100,000 lawns across the UK and continues to deliver an all-year-round lawn care service to help improve and maintain the quality of lawns for homeowners.
Should you cut grass in summer?
If you're debating whether mowing the lawn needs to be on your list of essential summer gardening jobs, then it absolutely does.
"Definitely, but be gentle. In summer, let your grass grow a bit longer to help it shade the soil and keep in moisture," explains Luke Newnes, gardening specialist and member of the Interior Squad at Hillarys.
"And remember, never cut off more than a third of the blade at once, especially during a heatwave."
Joining the Hillarys Interior Squad, Luke—also known as The Pink Gardener—is a new-build gardening specialist and content creator. With a talent for transforming outdoor spaces, he shares expert gardening tips and inspiration. When he’s not making digital content, Luke works at a garden centre, where he continues to share his knowledge and enthusiasm for gardening and the outdoors.
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