Gardeners are being warned about a common mistake many make when mowing their lawn during August, with experts saying it could actually damage your grass. While many people like to stick to a regular mowing routine, that approach may not work during hot and dry spells.
Experts say it’s important to check if your grass is still growing before reaching for the lawnmower. That’s because in warm and dry conditions, some lawns naturally go into dormancy, meaning they temporarily stop growing to cope with the heat. Continuing to mow dormant or stressed lawns can cause lasting damage.
John Steiner, the Regional Manager of NaturaLawn of America, told design experts at Livingetc: “Earlier in the year, when lawns were growing, many homeowners and lawn mowing services were cutting at least once per week.
“However, in August, if the lawn has gone dormant, or is under stress, this practice of mowing can be harmful to the grass.”
He added: “In August, mow only if the lawn is actively growing. Do not follow the calendar.
“You may even find that areas of the lawn growing in a shade garden will need to be mowed and areas in the sun do not.
“If this is the case, always be sure to cut with a sharp blade and never remove more than one-third of the grass blade.”
Other common mistakes include overwatering or switching between watering and not watering.
If your grass is made up of cool-season varieties and has turned brown, it may have gone dormant.
Experts say this is perfectly normal and the lawn should recover with cooler weather.
Kate Copsey, the author of Month-by-Month Gardening, said: “Switching back and forth because the lawn is going brown is detrimental to the lawn in the long run.
“By September, the temperatures come down and you get more frequent rain, so the lawn will come out of dormancy by then anyway.”
If your lawn is not dormant, continue watering regularly, ideally once a week, to keep it healthy.
Mr Steiner advises watering early in the morning and giving grass around 1.5 inches of water weekly, either from rain or irrigation.
Aerating the lawn in late summer can also help relieve soil compaction and improve water and nutrient uptake.
For those with bare patches, late August is a good time to begin reseeding or patching areas using compost or straw.
Experts also recommend doing a soil test before fertilising, to avoid applying unnecessary products.
And finally, limit foot traffic if your lawn is dry and brown, as walking on dormant grass can cause extra stress.
With the right care, most lawns will bounce back as September brings cooler temperatures and more consistent rainfall.