LifestyleGardeningMonty DonExperts have spoken about if people should currently get the lawnmower out - even if they're having people round this weekend10:07, 28 May 2026Many people will be looking at their lawns currently and wondering if they should give it a trim, if they’ve failed to do so recently. But when the sun’s beating down and the temperature is 30C or more - are they doing more harm to their lawn than good.‌Gardeners’ World presenter Monty Don has a stark message for people about their lawns at this time of year. Experts say it’shighly recommended that people do not mow your lawn during a heatwave. Cutting grass during periods of extreme heat and drought causes severe stress to the turf, leaving it vulnerable to scorching, disease, and long-term browning.‌In fact Monty has said that people should take it even further - as it’s such a key time for the garden and the wildlife in it. He is recommending that people from now do not cut - until June 21 at least - the summer solstice.‌The main benefit to letting your grass grow for a little longer will become visible later in the year – leaving the lawn now will mean your garden will look and feel healthier by next springtime.He said: ”By June a million gardens are regularly humming - and at times unpleasantly roaring - with the sound of motor- mowers keeping the grass trim and under control. But at Longmeadow we restrict this to paths and try and let as much grass as possible grow long and planted up with spring bulbs and wildflowers. This looks beautiful and is so much better for insects and all forms of wildlife than a neatly mown lawn.‌“However it is important to time the cutting of this long grass to maximise the performance of the bulbs next spring and of the grasses themselves. Nothing should be cut at all until after the longest day on June 21st. This gives the foliage of the bulbs time to die back and feed next year’s bulb and subsequent flowering. The grass can then be cut if it as been hot and dry although sometimes I leave this as late as mid August.“Whenever you make this first cut of the long grass, you must collect it all up and take it to the compost heap to stop it adding nutrition to the ground which would encourage lusher, coarser grasses at the expense of the flowers. Monty then uses the example of his own esteemed garden at Longmeadow to reveal that he exclusively mows the pathways to allow the grass elsewhere to grow as long and free as possible. “Then, once the warmer summer climate arrives, Monty recommends not cutting your lawn if the weather is very hot and dry. He admits that he usually leaves his lawn in Longmeadow until mid-August.Article continues belowJonathan Davis, grass expert at leading lawn care specialists Lawnsmith said: ““Importantly, no one should be cutting their grass this weekend. While it might seem like a good idea, the best thing you can do is leave your lawn alone during heatwave conditions. Cutting it during hot weather can place stress on the blades and lead to long-term damageHe added: “If you can’t resist getting the lawnmower out, make sure you cut your grass before 10 am, when the weather should still be a little cooler.”“Your lawnmower blades should be raised to the highest setting to ensure grass isn’t too short. Ideally, I would aim to keep grass around three to four inches long,” he continues. “This will give it some protection against scorching weather as longer grass blades create a shadow that helps to keep moisture in your soil.”Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌Monty DonHeatwaveWeatherPeriods