However, the best time to cut your grass changes with the season, as does the frequency with which you should mow and the cutting height you should use.
Here at Hayter, we’ve been manufacturing mowers for over 75 years, so we know exactly when to start cutting grass and when to stop cutting grass to ensure your lawn always looks perfect.
In this guide, our Hayter mower specialists will walk you through the dos and don’ts for every season – allowing you to mow with confidence, no matter the time of year.
When to start cutting grass
You will know when to start cutting grass by monitoring the temperature from early to mid-spring. Mowing should only ever be completed when temperatures are above 6°C and the winter frost has thoroughly passed.
You will find the weather meets these conditions most commonly in late March to early April – the beginning of the cutting season in the UK.
When the cutting season begins, grass growth will still be slower than in the summer months due to the shorter nights and lower average temperatures. This is why you should begin by mowing every two weeks with a higher cutting height enabled, shortening to every 10 days and eventually weekly around mid-May, when the weather is consistently above 10°C.
When to stop cutting the grass
You should stop cutting the grass in either late October or early November, this is when the cutting season comes to an end.
Referencing the start of mowing season in spring, mowing should stop when temperatures are consistently 6°C or lower. If we are having a warmer late autumn and early winter than expected, you may find mowing can continue into early to mid-November.
If it’s too cold to mow, it’s important to still perform regular garden maintenance tasks to keep your lawn healthy for next spring.
Late autumn and early winter are the ideal times for maintenance – you should carry out a regular clean-up of garden borders and leaves as and when needed.
To make these jobs quicker, the Toro Electric Battery Leaf Blower 60V and Cordless Hedge Trimmer 60V are the ideal tools. What’s more, they can be powered by the same battery from the Hayter battery mower that you have put away for the winter – saving space and eliminating the need for extra batteries.
Now that cutting has stopped, it’s time to book your mower in for servicing. Regular servicing will keep your Hayter mower’s warranty, but it will also make sure your mower is in perfect condition for next spring.
To prepare for the upcoming lawn frost, read our guide to frost proofing your garden in time for winter.
When is the best time to cut grass?
The best time to cut grass is mid-morning to early evening, but this may change depending on the time of year due to the season’s optimal sunlight and temperature time.
It’s also important to consider which direction your garden is facing, as south-facing gardens will be exposed to sunlight until slightly later in the day.
As you get towards the end of the mowing season, mow when the sun is at its highest or when the weather is forecast to be warmest.
In contrast, if it’s too hot in the summer, mow in the early evening or morning. When mowing in the morning, be careful to check that the grass is not still wet from dew – this can leave grass patchy, uneven and prone to infection.
Mowing at the wrong time of day can hamper grass growth, leaving grass weaker. Mowing at midday in summer, for example, is far too hot for your grass – causing turf stress.
Times of day to watch out for include:
After dusk – mowing at this time will leave your lawn vulnerable to fungal attacks. It may also disturb neighbours who may have young children they are trying to get to sleep!
Afternoon – cutting your grass in the afternoon can disturb natural wildlife. As these creatures are very beneficial to the ecosystem of your garden, you don’t want to discourage them.
Very early morning – at this time of day the weather may be too cold, the grass may also be frosty or still wet from dew. All these factors will damage grass growth and the turf.
How often to cut grass
How often to cut grass in spring, summer and autumn will depend on the temperature, but for the majority of the cutting season, you will be mowing once a week.
Below, we explain the mowing frequency for each season:
How often to cut grass in spring
Cut the grass every two weeks, shortening to 10 days by mid to late April and finally weekly as we transition into May.
Raise your cutting height to account for slower grass growth.
How often to cut grass in summer
Mow once a week in summer and lower your cutting height, being sure not to cut more than one-third of your grass height.
Mowing the lawn in hot weather may mean mowing twice a week – especially if growth is faster than usual.
How often to cut grass in autumn
Mow once every couple of weeks as the weather starts getting cooler. You should also raise your cutting height back to spring levels.
When raising the cutting height, the Hayter Hawk or Harrier mower can also collect unwanted leaves from your lawn!
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