Keeping the lawn fresh and green all summer long can be tricky, especially if the weather is too wet or too hot. Luckily, an expert has shared how to keep lawns green and thriving by avoiding some common care errors. Nick Ee, product and training manager at Black and Decker said: “Summer lawn care is all about working with nature rather than against it.
“Many homeowners inadvertently damage their lawns during the warmer months by falling for common mistakes. The key is to understand that grass under summer stress needs gentle, thorough care rather than intensive intervention. By avoiding these common mistakes, you’ll maintain a healthier, more resilient lawn that can better withstand the UK’s increasingly unpredictable summer weather.”
1. Overwatering
The biggest “mistake” homeowners make is giving their lawn frequent, light sprinklings rather than deep, infrequent watering.
The expert said: “This technique actually trains the grass roots to stay near the surface, creating a lawn that’s dependent on daily watering and vulnerable to dry spells.
“Instead, water thoroughly once or twice a week, ensuring the water penetrates at least 15cm deep. This encourages the roots to grow downwards, creating a more drought-resistant lawn that can access moisture reserves deeper in the soil during hot weather.”
2. Mowing too short
Scalping your lawn might seem like an efficient way to reduce mowing frequency, but it’s one of the most “damaging” things you can do to your lawn in the summer.
The expert noted: “You remove its ability to photosynthesise effectively and expose the soil to direct sunlight, which encourages weed germination.
“The golden rule is never to remove more than one-third of the grass blade in a single cut. I’d recommend keeping your mower blades higher during summer, around six to eight centimetres is ideal. This provides natural shade for the roots and helps retain soil moisture.”
3. Overfeeding
It’s tempting to think that more fertiliser means a greener lawn, but this is far from the truth, especially in spring.
Excess nitrogen during hot weather forces the grass to grow when it should be conserving energy, leading to weak growth that’s more susceptible to drought and disease. It’s best to switch to slow-release in summer and follow the guidelines on the bottle.
4. Neglecting to aerate compacted soil
According to the expert, soil compaction is a “silent killer” of summer lawns. The expert said: “Heavy foot traffic, BBQs, and garden parties combined with dry conditions create rock-hard soil that prevents air, water and nutrients from reaching grass roots.
“You’ll notice this if water runs off rather than soaking in. Aerating with a garden fork or a proper aerating tool creates channels for essential elements to penetrate. Focus on high-traffic areas and consider aerating monthly during dry spells to maintain healthy root zones.”
5. Mowing during drought or high heat
Mowing during extreme heat can place additional stress on already vulnerable grass. Avoid mowing when temperatures exceed 25C, and then mow in the morning or evening.