Gardeners have been warned against mowing lawns during hot weather, a mistake experts say can leave grass damaged, patchy and slow to recover. The warning follows a recent mini-heatwave in parts of the UK, where temperatures reached 34°C, prompting many homeowners to cut their grass despite the risks.
Gardening expert James Lewis from MyBuilder.com explained that mowing in high heat exposes grass blades to intense sunlight and accelerates moisture loss. 'If you cut your grass, the blades will be more exposed to the sun, and the soil will also suffer,' he said. 'This will lead to bare patches in your lawn which will take time and effort to repair.'
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) advises keeping grass slightly longer during dry weather to retain moisture and protect roots from heat stress. Longer grass also helps reduce evaporation at soil level. Research from the University of Reading indicates that heat-stressed grass recovers more slowly when repeatedly cut too short.
Lewis added that longer grass acts as a protective buffer during heatwaves, maintaining a cooler microclimate near the soil and improving overall lawn resilience. He also warned that mowing in high temperatures poses health risks to gardeners, including dehydration and heat exhaustion, as noted by the NHS.
MyBuilder.com recommends raising mower blade height during dry spells, avoiding cutting grass too short, limiting heavy foot traffic, and watering carefully. Watering should be done in the early morning or evening, rather than during peak sunshine hours when most moisture evaporates. Experts say small changes in routine can significantly aid lawn recovery after hot weather.
