Gardeners warn: common mowing mistake turns summer lawn brown

Summer brings both joy and challenges for gardeners, especially when it comes to lawns. Gardener and author Jonny Hincks shares advice on how to avoid a common mistake that scorches lawns brown.

Summer is both the best and most challenging time for garden work, the warm months bring plenty of yields, but lawns and delicate flowers face constant risk of drying out. Gardener, author and firefighter Jonny Hincks shares practical advice via the Daily Mail on how to tackle the summer gardening checklist sensibly.

One of the most common mistakes homeowners make in summer is mowing the lawn too short. When grass is cut too low, the soil dries out faster, the grass weakens, and sun damage turns it brown quite quickly. Jonny Hincks recommends leaving the grass longer when mowing, especially during hot months, a higher grass layer protects the soil from moisture loss.

In addition to mowing height, it is worth paying attention to your watering schedule. Watering early in the morning gives plants sufficient moisture before the day's heat arrives and does not cause leaf scorch. Evening watering, on the other hand, can encourage fungal diseases.

Hincks emphasizes that summer is also a good time to enrich the soil and fertilize so plants develop strong root systems by the end of the season. A few simple habits, such as regular weeding and mulching, help retain moisture and reduce the need for frequent watering.