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The question of how often to mow seems simple, but the answer depends on the season, weather, and how your grass is growing. Get the frequency right and your lawn will thrive. Get it wrong and you’ll either stress the grass or create extra work for yourself.
The One-Third Rule
The most important principle in lawn mowing is never removing more than one-third of the grass blade length in a single cut. This rule matters more than any fixed schedule.
Cutting off more than a third shocks the grass. It removes too much leaf area, reducing the plant’s ability to photosynthesise and feed itself. The result is stressed grass that turns yellow, grows slowly, and becomes vulnerable to disease and weeds.
If you want to maintain your lawn at 40mm, you should mow when it reaches about 60mm. If you’re aiming for 25mm on a fine lawn, mow when it hits 35-40mm. The frequency adjusts automatically based on how fast the grass is growing.
Spring: Peak Mowing Season
Spring is when grass grows fastest, often requiring mowing twice a week during peak growth in April and May. Warming soil, longer days, and spring rain create perfect growing conditions.
Start the season with the first cut when grass begins actively growing, typically late March in southern England, later further north. Set the mower higher than usual for this first cut to avoid shocking grass that’s been dormant.
As growth accelerates, increase mowing frequency to keep up. Missing just one cut in late spring can leave you with an overgrown mess that’s difficult to bring back under control without stressing the grass.
For detailed spring guidance, see our spring lawn care guide.
Summer: Adjust for Conditions
Summer mowing frequency varies dramatically depending on weather. Cool, damp summers may require continued frequent mowing. Hot, dry summers slow grass growth significantly.
During drought, grass enters a protective dormancy. Growth slows or stops, and the lawn may turn brown. Continue mowing only when actually needed, and raise the cutting height to help grass cope with heat stress.
Longer grass shades its own roots, keeping soil cooler and reducing moisture loss. Cutting short during a heatwave makes drought damage worse. Our summer lawn care guide covers this in detail.
When rain returns, growth resumes and you’ll need to increase mowing frequency again. Watch the grass rather than following a fixed schedule.
Autumn: Gradual Slowdown
Autumn brings another growth spurt as temperatures cool and rain returns, though not as vigorous as spring. You may need to mow once or twice weekly in September, dropping to weekly or fortnightly by October.
As days shorten and temperatures fall, grass growth slows progressively. Adjust mowing frequency to match, and gradually raise the cutting height to leave grass slightly longer going into winter.
The last mow of the season typically happens sometime in November, depending on your location and the weather. Once grass stops growing, stop mowing. See our autumn lawn care guide for more detail.
Winter: Minimal Mowing
Most lawns need little or no mowing from December to February. Grass is dormant or barely growing, and the ground is often too wet or frozen for mowing anyway.
In mild winters, especially in southern areas, you might need an occasional light cut if grass continues growing slowly. Use a high cutting height and only mow when the ground is firm enough to walk on without leaving footprints.
Avoid mowing frosty grass or waterlogged lawns. Walking on frozen grass damages the blades, and mowing wet soil causes compaction and ruts.
What Happens If You Mow Too Often?
Surprisingly, mowing too frequently is rarely a problem as long as you’re not cutting too short. Frequent light cuts are actually beneficial for lawn density and appearance.
The issue comes when frequent mowing is combined with a low cutting height. Constantly scalping the lawn stresses grass, weakens root systems, and creates opportunities for weeds and moss.
If you enjoy mowing and want to do it often, simply raise the cutting height so each cut removes a small amount. This gives you the neat appearance of a freshly mowed lawn without the stress of overcutting.
What Happens If You Mow Too Rarely?
Infrequent mowing creates bigger problems. When grass gets too long between cuts, bringing it back to normal height means removing more than one-third of the blade, which stresses the grass.
Long grass also becomes stemmy. The grass produces seed heads and the stems become tough and woody. Cutting this growth leaves brown, bare-looking stems rather than lush green leaf.
If you’ve let the lawn get away from you, bring it back gradually over several cuts rather than scalping it in one go. Cut off a third, wait a few days for recovery, then cut again. Repeat until you reach your target height.
Mowing Height Matters Too
Frequency and height work together. The right mowing height depends on your grass type, the season, and how you use your lawn.
Most UK lawns do well at 25-40mm. Fine ornamental lawns can be maintained shorter, around 15-25mm. Lawns in heavy shade or dry conditions benefit from being left longer.
Adjusting height seasonally helps your lawn cope with stress. Slightly higher in summer protects against drought. Slightly higher going into winter helps grass survive cold.
The Results of Good Mowing Practice
Consistent, appropriate mowing produces noticeably better results than haphazard cutting whenever you get around to it.
Regular mowing encourages grass to spread sideways rather than grow tall, creating denser turf. Denser turf crowds out weeds, resists moss, and looks better.
Consistent height means consistent appearance. Your lawn always looks neat rather than cycling between overgrown and freshly scalped.
Following the one-third rule keeps grass healthy and green. No yellowing from shock, no brown stems from cutting overgrown grass, just even green growth all season.
Practical Mowing Schedule
While actual mowing should follow growth rather than a calendar, here’s a realistic guide for typical UK conditions:
March: First cut of the year, then weekly as growth begins.
April-May: Twice weekly during peak growth.
June-August: Weekly to fortnightly depending on weather and growth.
September-October: Weekly, reducing to fortnightly.
November: Final cuts as growth slows, then stop for winter.
This is a starting point. Watch your grass and adjust based on what it’s actually doing. For more mowing tips and comprehensive lawn guidance, explore our UK lawn care hub.
A well-fed lawn grows more evenly, making mowing easier and results better. Our Year Round Bundle delivers the right nutrients in every season, keeping your grass in peak condition for regular mowing.
