Keen gardeners will know that grass needs to be cut regularly to keep it neat and tidy, but which length should it be cut at?
In fact, there is a simple hack you can use, ideal if you’ve got some golf tees lying around.
Don’t worry if you haven’t though, as a similar rule can still be used to help you know when it’s time to cut your grass.
Use this golf tee hack to decide when it’s best to cut your grass
Chris McIlroy, expert at The Grass People, said: “While golf courses can provide inspiration for garden care, there’s a more practical way fans of the sport can maintain their lawns.
“We advise letting grass grow a little longer in summer before you cut it, around 5-7 centimetres, which is the height of a larger golf tee.
“Longer grass is more drought resistant, which helps lawns keep their lush, green colour even when the weather is drier.
“So next time golf fans want to mow, they would do well to get a tee out first.”
The UK has had its sunniest and warmest spring on record, creating a challenge for some gardens.
Chris explains that some lawns will be showing signs of stress with discolouration and bare patches.
“Golf courses appear smooth and neat but it’s worth noting that these are high-maintenance and beyond what most people can do at home. And even they can struggle when hydration is lower.
“It’s definitely worth keeping your lawn longer and focusing on its resilience during heatwaves, rather than the aesthetic. There will be a time when you can mow and keep your lawn short again but extreme heat days are not it.”
How to keep your lawn healthy in a heatwave
When lawns struggle during heatwaves, it's natural to want to provide intensive care; however, The Grass People team advises against this.
“It’s best to leave your lawn alone during hot weather, and even reduce footfall if possible. You want to reduce the stress on it,” said Chris.
He added: “Feeding when moisture levels are lower can cause fertilisers to become stuck in the soil and take moisture from the grass. Focus on watering wisely instead.
“Watering your lawn once or twice a week thoroughly will help deep root development, making lawns more drought resistant. Ensure this is done in the morning before temperatures rise too much.
“When lawns are turning brown, it can be tempting to increase watering, but this discolouration means the grass has directed its energy to its roots, so resist the urge to overwater as this could lead to rot.”
How to add grass seeds to your lawn with £1 hack
Have you added some grass seed to your garden this year? A garden expert has shared the importance of patience and a £1 coin hack to help you “provide a comforting environment” for your seeds.
Ben Agnew at Lawnsmith explained: “Anyone starting a new lawn or filling in patches might be feeling frustrated with the lack of progress in their lawns. Especially if they’ve spent time and energy taking care of seedlings.
“And thankfully, there is nothing extra that they need to do except keep going with their usual lawn treatment. Keep the seedbed moist, but not pooling water.
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“Make sure seeds are at the correct depth to stay protected from the elements and maintain good seed-to-soil contact.
“I recommend sowing your seeds at a depth of approximately three £1 coins stacked on top of each other. This will provide a comforting environment for the seedlings to germinate and grow.
“The worst thing you can do is panic and throw more grass seed down, as this could cause a situation where you lay too much seed and there is competition, leading to poor growth.”
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