How Often Should You Mow Your Lawn? A Complete UK Guide

Short answer: In the UK, mow weekly in spring and summer, every two weeks in early spring and autumn, and rarely or not at all in deep winter. Get the timing wrong and you'll get scalped patches, moss, weeds and a stressed lawn.

Read on for the month-by-month schedule, the problems we're called out for most, and the safety rules you must not skip.

UK Mowing Schedule at a Glance

March – April

Every 10-14 days

First cut only when the grass is actively growing and the ground isn't frozen or waterlogged. Set the blades high.

May – August

Weekly (twice weekly in fast growth)

Peak growing season. Little and often beats one big cut.

September – October

Every 10-14 days

Growth slows. Raise the height slightly.

November – February

Rarely, if at all

Only on a dry, frost-free day, and only if the grass has visibly grown.

Cutting height guide:

Standard family lawn: roughly 25-40mm
Fine ornamental lawn: roughly 12-25mm
Shady or drought-stressed lawn: cut higher (40mm+)

The one-third rule: never remove more than about a third of the blade length in one cut. If the grass has got long, raise the height and cut in stages over a few days.

When You Should NOT Mow

When the grass is wet. It clogs, cuts badly and increases the risk of slips. It is also an electrical hazard (see below).
In frost or on frozen ground. You'll damage the grass and the turf.
During drought or heatwaves. Raise the height or hold off. A stressed lawn scalps easily.
On waterlogged ground. You'll cause ruts and compaction.

Electrical and Machine Safety: Read This First

Lawn mowers, strimmers and hedge trimmers cause serious injuries every year. Non-negotiables:

Never use mains-powered equipment on wet grass or in the rain. Water and electricity can kill.
Always use an RCD (residual current device) with any mains-powered mower or trimmer. If it trips, stop. Don't keep resetting it and carrying on.
Inspect the cable and plug before every use. If you see cuts, exposed wires, tape repairs or a cracked plug or casing, do not use it.
Never repair damaged cables or electrical parts yourself. Get a qualified person to deal with it.
Always switch off and unplug (or remove the battery / spark plug lead) before touching the machine, including to clear a clog or check the blade. Wait for the blades to stop completely.
Never touch the blade, even when it looks stopped. Never remove or bypass guards or safety switches.
Keep the cable behind you and away from the cutting path.
Keep children, pets and bystanders well clear while mowing.
Wear sturdy enclosed footwear. No sandals or bare feet.
Petrol mowers: refuel outdoors, with the engine off and cool, away from flames, and never in a closed garage.

If you see sparks, smoke, burning smells, a damaged cable, or the machine gives you a shock, stop immediately, isolate the power at a safe point and call a professional.

Common Lawn Problems Customers Call Us About

1. "My lawn is patchy and yellow."
Often caused by cutting too short, blunt blades, drought stress, or dog urine. Cutting higher is a good first step. Persistent patches need a professional assessment.

2. "I've scalped the lawn."
Cutting too low, or cutting overgrown grass in one go, leaves brown, bare stripes. Stop cutting short and let it recover. Repeated scalping needs expert repair.

3. "The grass is long and overgrown."
Don't take it down in one pass. Raise the height and reduce it in stages. If it's very overgrown, or hides hazards like stones, tools or animal waste, call us rather than risk your machine or your safety.

4. "The mower keeps clogging or leaves clumps."
Usually wet grass or overgrown turf. Wait for dry conditions and never clear a clog while the machine is connected or running.

5. "The mower won't start or keeps tripping the power."
Do not keep resetting the RCD and do not open up electrical parts. It could indicate a faulty machine or damaged cable. Take it out of use and get it checked by a qualified engineer.

6. "The lawn is full of moss and weeds."
Often linked to shade, compaction, poor drainage or cutting too short. It needs the right treatment for your soil and conditions, and we can advise.

7. "There are ruts, bumps or uneven patches."
Usually from mowing when it's too wet, or from heavy use. Uneven ground is also a trip and scalp risk. A professional can level and repair it.

8. "I can't keep up with it."
Time, health, mobility or a busy schedule. It's a common problem, and a regular maintenance visit solves it.

Quick Reference: Do and Don't

Mow little and often in the growing season
Keep blades sharp and set to the right height
Check equipment, cables and plugs before every use
Use an RCD with any mains equipment

Don't

Mow wet grass with mains-powered equipment
Cut more than a third off in one go
Clear a blocked blade with the machine still connected or running
Attempt electrical repairs or remove safety guards

Need Help Now? Don't Risk It.

Damaged cable? Mower tripping the power? Lawn overgrown, scalped or damaged? Not sure it's safe to use your equipment?

Stop. Don't improvise. Call us.