'One of the biggest lawn care mistakes to avoid in winter', according to an expert
This common error can leave the grass "malnourished", an expert warned.
Garden tips: How to maintain your lawn
In the winter months, many of us cut back on our gardening activities.
However, keeping your lawn well maintained is still something that is possible.
Although you may not be able to mow the lawn as often as you would in the summer, it might require the occasional trim.
However, an expert has warned of a common mistake many gardeners could be making when it comes to cutting the grass.
Nick Ee, product and training manager at Black + Decker, specifically urged against chopping the blades “too short”.
This could be damaging to both the grass and the soil, he said.
Speaking to Express.co.uk , he explained: “In winter mowing the grass isn’t usually necessary, unless the weather is mild, and grass is still growing excessively.
“If this is the case, I would recommend cutting the grass occasionally on a high cut setting.
“Mowing the grass too short is one of the biggest lawn care mistakes to make especially in winter.
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“Shorter grass can look more uniform but when the blades are cut too short it can leave plants malnourished and open to diseases.
“Longer blades of grass help shade the soil underneath which means it takes a lot longer for moisture to evaporate.”
The Royal Horticultural Society actually recommends keeping your lawn up to four centimetres long in the autumn and spring, but 2.5cm in the summer.
As a general rule the organisation says “never” take off more than a third of the height of the grass when mowing.
Nick also advised against cutting the grass when it’s wet, soft or frozen.
“You should never cut the grass when it’s wet, soft, or frozen as this increases the spread of weeds and fungal diseases that can occur in excessive rainfall,” he said.
“Wet grass also tends to accumulate around the lawn mower’s moving parts, which leads to clogging and poor engine performance.”
He added: “It’s best to wait until springtime when grass is a little drier.”
