Lawns will grow best in July if you avoid one common task to 'reduce stress'

Gardeners are being advised to scale back one gardening task in July if they want better lawn growth. July is a key month for lawn care, and keeping your grass in top condition can be tricky when faced with changing weather patterns. After an unusually warm spring and sporadic summer heat waves, many gardeners are now focusing on maintaining their lawns and protecting them from damage. However, one common task could actually hinder your lawn's growth if done incorrectly. While it's tempting to stick to your usual mowing routine, over-mowing your lawn in July can do more harm than good. Grass tends to grow at its strongest during the summer months, but pushing it too hard can stress the lawn. “you should be mowing your lawn weekly. If you find grass is growing back faster, up this to twice a week.” However, during periods of drought, you will likely have to adjust your mowing habits. “In periods of drought, scale back your mowing to reduce stress on your lawn, and raise your mower setting to leave grass a little taller. Longer blades are more drought-resistant.” If the drought continues and grass growth stalls, we advise against mowing completely. It’s all about finding the right balance to keep your lawn healthy. Keeping your lawn hydrated during the hot, dry summer months is also extremely important. We recommend carrying out a simple "Bounce Back" test to assess whether your lawn needs watering. “The Bounce Back test is a good indicator of when your lawn needs a good drink. All you do is stand on the grass. If it stays flat, it needs watering. If it bounces back, then it’s likely sufficiently hydrated.” Lawns should typically be watered every 10 to 14 days. During extreme dry periods, it may be necessary to water your lawn weekly to keep it thriving. Green Grass Keeping your lawn looking perfect is an exact science at times We also point out that intermittent watering helps the grass build resilience, encouraging deeper root growth. Feeding your lawn correctly is also instrumental to maintaining its health during summer, and we suggest using a quick-release fertiliser to keep your grass looking lush. However, we warn that fertilisers should be applied with care, especially during dry, warm weather, as "some feeds require lots of watering to get them to break down and to reduce the risk of fertiliser burn". Contact us if you need any help keeping up with your lawncare routine.