As the UK braces for a scorching heatwave with temperatures expected to hit 32°C on Tuesday, gardening experts are advising against mowing lawns during the hot spell. The sunny weather follows a rainy June and July, tempting many to tidy their gardens, but professionals warn it could damage grass and pose health risks.
Timothy Greene of iCANLawn cautioned: 'Mowing your lawn during a heatwave is not recommended so making sure you time your mows before the temperatures really rise is key.' He added that longer grass helps retain soil moisture, while cutting too short can stress the grass and make it straw-like.
Experts also advise against fertilising in hot weather due to the risk of 'fertiliser burn'. Greene explained: 'Fertilisers often contain chemicals and need to be watered in... In dry warm weather this may require lots of watering to break down and increase the risk of burn.' He recommends feeding well before a heatwave and waiting for cooler conditions.
The Met Office forecasts peak heat on Tuesday, with temperatures staying around 29°C until Friday, then dropping to 24°C on Saturday and 23°C on Sunday. Gardeners are urged to wait until the heatwave passes before mowing, or if necessary, use the highest mower setting and leave clippings as mulch.
