How often should I mow my lawn in the UK?

During the main growing season (April to October), most UK lawns need mowing once a week. In peak growth you might need to cut every 4-5 days. In winter, mow only if the grass is still actively growing.

What is the one-third rule?

Never remove more than one-third of the grass blade in a single cut. If grass is 60mm tall, cut no more than 20mm off. If it has grown too long, bring it down gradually.

Can I mow my lawn in winter?

Yes, if the grass is actively growing and conditions are right. There is no rule that November is the last cut. Avoid frozen ground, waterlogged conditions, or heavy frost.

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Q: What height should I set my mower to?

For a rotary mower, 30-50mm. For a cylinder mower, 10-30mm. Robotic mowers usually sit around 30-40mm. During dry spells raise the height by 10-15mm.

One quick question and we'll give you a full mowing guide for every season, with the right cutting heights for your mower.

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Once a week

How to Check Your Grass Height

Grab a tape measure or a ruler
Push it down into the grass until it touches the soil surface (not the thatch layer on top)
Read the measurement where the tips of the grass blades reach
Check a few spots across the lawn as it won't be perfectly even everywhere
Use the average to decide if it's time to cut

The one-third rule: Never remove more than a third of the blade in one cut. If your grass is 60mm, take off no more than 20mm. If it's got away from you, bring it down gradually over a few mows rather than scalping it.

What Next?

Cutting Heights by Grass Type

The heights above are a general guide for most lawns. If you know what type of grass you have, here are more specific ranges.

Grass Type	Summer	Winter

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Common Questions

During the main growing season (April to October), most UK lawns need mowing once a week. In peak growth (May, June, September) you might need to cut every 4-5 days, especially after rain. In winter, you might not need to mow at all, or just a light tidy once a month if the grass is still growing. Let the grass tell you when it needs cutting.

For a rotary mower on a family lawn, 30-50mm is the range. Most people do well around 35mm. Cylinder mower for a finer finish? 10-30mm. Robotic mowers usually sit around 30-40mm. During dry spells, raise the height by 10-15mm. Longer grass shades the soil and holds moisture better.

Never remove more than one-third of the grass blade in a single cut. If your grass is 60mm tall, take off no more than 20mm, leaving 40mm. Cutting more than a third stresses the plant and can cause browning. If it's grown too long, bring it down over two or three cuts.

Yes, if the grass is actively growing and conditions allow it. There's no rule that says November is the last cut. If it's mild and the grass is still putting on height, a light trim on the highest setting is fine. Avoid frozen ground, waterlogged conditions, or heavy frost.

If you're mowing regularly and the clippings are fine and short, leave them on. They return nitrogen to the soil. Only collect if they're long and clumpy from a missed cut. Heavy clumps smother the grass underneath.

Robotic mowers cut little and often, usually daily. They take off tiny amounts each time so the grass is never stressed. The fine clippings drop back into the lawn as a natural feed. Set the height to around 30-40mm and let it run. In winter you can pause it or let it run less frequently.