UK lawns need mowing from March to October, with frequency rising from fortnightly in spring to twice weekly in June and July. The first cut should be set at 4cm in early March. Summer cutting height for a family lawn is 2.5-3cm, dropping to 2cm for fine ornamental turf. The one-third rule states you should never remove more than one-third of the grass blade in a single pass.
Key takeaways
- First mow of the year falls in early to mid-March, with blades set at 4cm
- Mow once a week from April to May, rising to twice weekly in June and July
- Never remove more than one-third of the grass blade length in a single cut
- Family lawns perform best at 2.5-3cm in summer, fine lawns at 2-2.5cm
- Mulch mowing returns nitrogen to the soil and cuts fertiliser use by up to 25%
- Stop mowing in late October or November once growth falls below 5mm per week
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Our team produces practical UK gardening guidance from source research, contributor records and established horticultural practice. Editorial standards are overseen by Matt W.
