About Turf Mowing and Maintenance

Here are a few tips on mowing frequency and maintenance levels to keep your lawn at its best.

New turf

If you have new turf that’s just been laid, it will need to be mowed within 10 days (growing season) to 2 weeks (winter, or off season). Do the first mow only lightly, in other words the mower should be set high to just take a little off the top. Too much taken off can stress the new lawn. After it is fully established you can decide what length you’d like it to be, and then keep it there.

Ideal mowing heights

The best height to keep your lawn depends on the activities. Also the position determines the best height. When it’s in full sun you’d keep it a bit shorter. For a residential lawn that children play on, or where people have allergies, keep it between 25 to 40 mm high. If you are selling your home keep it a little longer than this, say 35 to 40 mm so it looks lush and green. Having said this, the rule of thumb is to never cut the grass down by more than one third of its height.

Types of turf and Great Britain mowing frequencies

Generally lawn needs more mowing in late spring and summer when it grows faster. Winter is cold and growth is slower therefore mowing can be less often.

However this guide depends on rainfall. Warm and wet together means the fastest growth. Hot dry conditions can slow it down. Your lawn will tell you what it needs.

Here are the approximate mowing frequencies for the most common turf types in United Kingdom, based on average summer weather:

• The slowest growing types are Red Fescue and Wildflower Turf. Fescue grass needs mowing about every 2 to 3 weeks.
• Medium growing types are Rhizomatous Tall Fesuce and Shade Tolerant (ST) Turf . For these, mow about every 10 days to 2 weeks.
• Fast growing types are Creeping Red Fescue grass, Dwarf ryegrass, and Chewings Fescue. These types need mowing every week for best looks. If you have a commercial couch turf that needs to be short it can also be done once every week.

See also our Turfing website for more information.

Maintenance level

When you manage the care schedule for your lawn, it’s a good idea to combine the mowing frequency with the level of maintenance that the grass needs.

• Low maintenance turf normally only needs mowing.
• Medium maintenance types, in addition to mowing, need some watering in very hot weather or long dry periods. They may also need a feed once per year.
• High maintenance types require regular feeding, mowing and watering when it’s dry. They will also need top dressing – a thin layer of sand, soil or mulch added on top to fill dips in the ground and hollows under runners plus add some food.