Gardeners' World presenter Monty Don has issued a stark warning to homeowners: avoid cutting your lawn until at least June 21, the summer solstice, to protect grass and wildlife during the current heatwave.
With temperatures soaring to 30°C, experts caution that mowing during extreme heat causes severe stress to turf, leaving it vulnerable to scorching, disease, and long-term browning. Don recommends letting grass grow long, especially in areas planted with spring bulbs and wildflowers, as this benefits insects and wildlife.
“Nothing should be cut at all until after the longest day on June 21st,” Don said, explaining that this allows bulb foliage to die back and feed next year's growth. He added that the first cut of long grass can be delayed until mid-August if conditions remain hot and dry.
Lawn care expert Jonathan Davis echoed the advice, urging people not to mow during the heatwave. If mowing is unavoidable, he recommends cutting before 10 am with blades raised to the highest setting, keeping grass at three to four inches long to retain soil moisture.
Don also advises collecting all clippings to prevent adding nutrition to the ground, which encourages coarser grasses at the expense of flowers. His own garden at Longmeadow restricts mowing to pathways, allowing other areas to grow freely.
