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Leading British gardening expert Monty Don recommends postponing lawn maintenance until after June 21 to ensure optimal lawn health and encourage biodiversity. While the urge to tidy up lawns for summer barbecues might be strong, the renowned horticulturist stresses the importance of allowing grass to flourish.
The Monty Don Approach: Postpone Your First Grass Cutting
Why Wait Until After June 21st?
“Avoid any cutting until after the summer solstice on June 21,” Don explained in a previous blog post. “This allows bulb foliage to naturally die back, nourishing the bulb for the following year’s growth and flowering cycle.”
He further noted, “The grass might be cut if the weather has been hot and dry, although I sometimes delay this until mid-August.” Even though this advice was initially shared in 2024, the summer solstice, marking the longest day of the year, occurred on June 21 (Saturday) in 2025 as well.
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Maximising Lawn Health and Encouraging Growth
Grass normally sees its most vigorous growth during April and May in the UK, thanks to rising temperatures and increased rainfall. Extending this period of growth can significantly improve its overall health come spring.
Enhancing Biodiversity in Your Garden
Creating a Habitat for Insects and Wildlife
Don often incorporates spring bulbs and wildflowers into his grassy areas, fostering a thriving habitat for insects and other wildlife. He highlights the need to gather grass trimmings after mowing and add them to the compost pile.
- Leaving trimmings on the lawn can encourage the proliferation of coarser grasses, which will outcompete the flowers.
Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Guidance
Delaying Mowing for Plant Diversity
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) also suggests delaying grass cutting until August to encourage greater plant variety and even supports the “No Mow May” initiative promoting this practice.
Assessing Individual Circumstances
However, the RHS also acknowledges that mowing practices should be considered on a case-by-case basis. Variable weather or slower-than-expected grass growth might necessitate revisiting mowing plans.
RHS Recommended Mowing Schedule:
- Conventional Lawns: Mow weekly on average, reducing to once every two weeks or longer during drought conditions.
- Flower-Rich Lawns: Mow every four to six weeks.
- Long-Grassed Lawns: Cut once or twice during the summer, typically after June.
Techniques for Cutting Long Grass
When mowing overgrown grass for the first time in a year, it’s vital to set the mower blade at its highest setting to avoid clogging with clippings.
For exceptionally long grass, the RHS advises using a strimmer initially to reduce its height. Always collect the cuttings before performing the final cut with the mower.
The RHS further stated, “While you may begin mowing in June, it enhances the preservation of the newly created habitat and promotes a diverse range of plants, to allow the grass to grow until August.”