Alan Titchmarsh has offered his expert advice on lawn mowing, settling the debate on how often to cut grass for a healthier, greener lawn. The horticulturist warns that common mistakes, such as mowing too short or too infrequently, can leave lawns struggling in extreme weather.
On TikTok, Titchmarsh recommends mowing to a height of one inch in summer, or one and a half inches during hot spells. He explains that longer grass blades keep the lawn greener, as they help retain moisture. However, if the lawn turns brown in dry conditions, he advises against watering, as it will recover naturally when rain returns.
Regarding mowing frequency, Titchmarsh suggests cutting at least once a fortnight. For a thicker lawn, he recommends weekly mowing during mild weather with sunshine and showers. In hot, dry conditions, he advises reducing to once a fortnight and leaving more grass on the lawn.
On the topic of No Mow May, Titchmarsh cautions against abandoning the mower entirely for a month. Instead, he recommends mowing throughout the year while leaving some patches wild for insects. For those who participated in No Mow May, he suggests continuing to leave the lawn unmown through June.
Titchmarsh also highlights that mown lawns benefit birds, which rely on short grass to easily extract worms. He advises using only organic fertilisers in spring, such as blood, bone and fish meal, and avoiding weedkillers and inorganic fertilisers to support wildlife.
