'Don't scalp the grass!' Gardeners warn of lawn mistake to avoid during the summer

An gardening expert shared advice for cutting the grass

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Sarra Gray

By Sarra Gray


Published: 28/07/2024

- 06:00

Britons have been given advice on caring for their lawns this summer

Mowing the lawn becomes a regular task during the summer months, as the sun helps the grass to grow quickly.

However, cutting this too short can be damaging. An expert shared advice on how to care for your garden this summer.


When you cut your grass in the summer, it can be tempting to keep it very short but this could cause damage.

Mowing the grass too close to the root can make it appear dry, gardening expert Jack Stooks said on behalf of Betway.

Mowing lawn

Gardeners are warned against cutting the grass too short

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He explained: “In hotter weather, you don’t need to cut your lawn as short as you normally would. For example, if you cut it into a three, you might want to take it up to a four or a five depending on how you like it to look.

"You can do it regularly but don’t scalp the grass, especially when it's dry, it can look a little bit yellow but it is nothing to worry about because it will come back.”

It is best to cut grass slightly longer than usual and keep an eye on it as it may need lawn feed or more water during hotter periods.

It is also important to pay attention to plants in your garden as many might struggle with the heat.

Again, plants may need extra food or watering. It might also be wise to move them to a shaded area or even inside, the expert suggested.

Jack continued: "‬Any plants we have that don’t do well in heat ideally are in pots so can easily be moved to shady areas or replanted in shady spots within the garden.

"Some plants that aren’t performing can even be brought into the house in a cool shady room, as they will vastly improve that way too.”

One way to keep plants thriving during the summer is to fertilise them, an an expert shared how to make one using kitchen scraps.

Plants in garden

Plants may need extra attention during the summer months

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“One of the most critical things that your garden needs and your soil needs is calcium, I’m going to show you the most bio-available calcium you can make with kitchen scraps," the gardening enthusiast explained.

“Eggshells are 95 per cent calcium but that calcium is not readily available until it is changed from one form of calcium to the other.

“You have to go through a process to make it available to your plants."

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