Gardening tasks are now becoming more important as the summer months and warmer temperatures start to kick in – do you know when are the best times to mow the lawn?
A gardening expert has urged people not to get the lawnmower out in the early morning, and his warning has nothing to do with noise. Lawn pro Chris Cooper at Hayter shared some tips on when the best times of the day are to “mow like a pro”, and his advice is especially important in June when temperatures begin to rise.
With a hotter summer, the grass tends to grow much quicker so anyone looking to neaten up their lawn should lower the cut and mow at least once a week to encourage healthy growth, he advised. If the grass grows quicker than usual, it’s recommended to do it twice a week. In other words, mowing the lawn is a must.
He said: “You also need to change the time of day at which you mow. Never mow in the early morning, at midday or after dusk. In the morning, grass may still be wet from dew, mowing at midday is too hot, and mowing after dusk leaves your lawn vulnerable to fungal attacks.”
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Chris recommended gardeners mowing in the late morning or mid-late afternoon when temperatures are bearable. It also ensures the local wildlife doesn’t get too disturbed by the loud noises.
Another tip from the gardener is to water the plants wisely and more often if needed. As the summers in London have gotten much warmer over the years, the lawn needs to be well-watered to handle the hot temperatures – but be careful not to overwater it!
He said: “Not to mention wasting water, the roots of plants that have been overwatered can suffocate, leading to nasty afflictions like root rot, yellowing leaves and fungal diseases: the opposite of what you want to see in a thriving garden!”
Chris’ top tip when watering plants to to do it early in the morning, so the plants aren’t exposed to direct sunlight.
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Taking care of our patios will ensure the grass is getting the necessary nutrients to grow rapidly. As we spend more time outdoors, there will be an increase in foot traffic, and therefore, the lawn will need some extra care.
The good thing about gardening is that there’s no need to be an expert in taking care of plants and flowers. When it comes to mowing the garden, it’s such a fun task and can be mastered over time.
You need some practice and patience, and Chris Cooper is the go-to person to help you make your garden summer-ready.