Oliver Parsons, a horticulturist from the BBC Gardeners' World team, has shared four essential lawn care tips for the end of June as the UK braces for a heatwave with temperatures potentially reaching 40°C. Speaking on the BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Podcast, Parsons emphasised that summer conditions can be harsh on lawns, but simple adjustments can help them survive and thrive.
Raise Mower Blades for Deeper Roots
Parsons's first recommendation is to raise the blades on your lawnmower. He explained that longer grass encourages deeper root growth and shades the soil, reducing water evaporation. "This helps the roots to go down deeper and also shades the soil so a lot less water will evaporate from the soil surface," he said. "It also means your lawn will look that little bit better through summer."
Feed Your Lawn Organically
Feeding is another crucial task for June. Parsons advised using organic fertilisers such as blood, fish, and bone meal. "Feeding is another job for summer, I like to use something organic. Blood, fish, and bone meal in March, and again in June does the trick," he noted.
Be Relaxed About Weeds
Contrary to common practice, Parsons suggested a laissez-faire approach to weeds during hot weather. "As for weeds, I prefer to be reasonably laid back," he said. "If a dandelion pops up, I may dig it out with a daisy grubber, but otherwise I let the lawn do its own thing."
Edge with Shears for a Tidy Look
Parsons's final tip is to use long-handled shears for edging after mowing. "Also, never underestimate the impact of a little bit of edging after mowing with some long-handled shears. It sharpens everything up and makes the whole garden look tidier," he said.
Watering Is Often Unnecessary
Parsons also cautioned against excessive watering. "Watering the lawn, unless it's one you've just sown by seed or laid as turf, is pretty much a waste of time, and it's definitely a waste of water," he said. "Even if it goes brown in a dry spell over summer, it will soon green up again after a decent bit of rainfall."
Monty Don's Advice on Mowing Timing
Earlier this month, Gardeners' World host Monty Don advised against mowing before June 21. He explained that cutting long grass too early can harm spring bulbs. "Nothing should be cut at all until after the longest day on June 21. This gives the foliage of the bulbs time to die back and feed next year's bulb and subsequent flowering," Don said. He added that in hot, dry conditions, mowing can be delayed until mid-August.
