Experts shared the exact length your lawn should be cut to in order for it to stay healthy and green all year round
A lawn specialist has disclosed the precise length your grass should be to flourish throughout the summer. As the weather gets warmer and drier, lawns can find it difficult to maintain moisture and remain healthy.
Ben Agnew, a grass expert at Lawnsmith, said: “Dry spells can be tough on lawns because without consistent moisture, grass struggles to absorb nutrients, leading to weak roots and an overall dull, brittle appearance. Leaving lawns a little longer in periods of warm weather can create shade over the soil, so moisture is less likely to evaporate.”
Revealing the ideal length for your lawn during the summer, he added: “I’d aim for around three to four inches in length.”
Reducing your mowing frequency during particularly dry periods can lessen the strain on lawns, but if a trim is necessary, the expert recommends setting your mower to a high level so only the top third is cut off, reports the Express.
“Longer grass also encourages deeper root growth, making it more drought resilient,” Ben further explained. “If dry conditions continue, lawns can enter a dormant state, where growth stops and grass might turn brown as a survival strategy.
“Brown patches simply mean the grass has redirected its energy to protecting its roots. So even if your blades have dried out and turned brown, the root system will be alive, waiting for hydration and better conditions.
“Most lawns will recover with regular watering, but this can take time. Dormant, brown grass will take a week or two to return to a healthy state.”
Severely stressed grass might need three to four weeks to fully bounce back, particularly when there’s been harm to the roots. Ben said: “There are some tools that can help speed up recovery and improve your lawn’s chances. Aeration can improve water and nutrient absorption across the lawn, and a wetting agent can aid moisture penetration into the soil.
He advised: “Water your lawn deeply and infrequently to encourage deep root growth, rather than watering in dribs and drabs throughout the day. Watering in the morning is best so that the moisture doesn’t evaporate in the midday heat.”
Ben also noted: “If any patches are completely dead, you may need to re-seed these areas. “
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