Monty Don’s expertise is a wellspring of inspiration for enhancing your gardens with savvy advice and clever techniques. In his monthly gardening blog, he delves into various topics, including the optimal timing for mowing lawns.
Even though numerous gardeners have already fired up their lawnmowers to tackle unruly grass, Monty Don notes that he prefers to wait until June 21st. At Longmeadow, he elaborates, he limits mowing to pathways, allowing as much grass as possible to grow long and mingle with spring bulbs and wildflowers.
Despite delaying mowing for the sake of spring flora and fauna, the 68-year-old emphasized the significance of timing the trimming of long grass to optimize the performance of both bulbs and grasses.
He stressed, “Nothing should be cut until after the longest day on June 21st.” This allows bulb foliage to wither naturally, nourishing next year’s growth and blossoms. As for the grass, he advised it could be cut after June if weather conditions permit, though he sometimes waits until as late as mid-August.
Traditionally, May signals the time when soil temperatures rise, prompting grass growth to surge. While many gardeners eagerly reach for their mowers to transform unruly patches into lush lawns, there’s a compelling reason to hold off a bit longer: the No Mow May campaign.
According to Plantlife’s 2019 survey, most gardeners mow their grass every two weeks. However, by postponing mowing and participating in No Mow May, you can provide a vital boost to UK pollinators, as well as the birds and animals that rely on them.
Initiated in 2019 by conservation charity Plantlife, the No Mow May movement advocates keeping mowers stowed away for an additional month. This delay allows spring plants to set seed before the first cut, fostering healthier and more diverse lawns.
Moreover, this extended period without mowing allows wild plants to establish themselves in May, providing essential sustenance for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators throughout the summer.
When deciding on the timing of the initial cut for the long grass, Monty emphasized the importance of collecting all clippings and transferring them to the compost heap. This prevents the grass clippings from adding excessive nutrients to the soil, which could promote the growth of thicker, coarser grasses at the expense of delicate flowers.
Between June and August, it’s advisable to mow the lawn once a week, as growth tends to be more consistent during this period, particularly as soil moisture decreases. However, during periods of drought, it may be prudent to cease mowing altogether and allow the grass to grow longer until rainfall replenishes the soil.
