Published 2026-05-30

How often should you cut grass in the UK?

There is no single magic number, because how often you cut grass depends on how fast it is growing, and that changes through the year. But the pattern is simple and predictable in the UK, and once you know it you can stop guessing. Here is the month-by-month rhythm.

A cordless lawn mower part-way through cutting a green lawn — Photo: Unsplash

The short answer

Through the main growing season, once a week is the sweet spot for most UK lawns. At the start and end of the season drop to once a fortnight, and through winter you mostly stop. The golden rule underneath it all is the same as ever: never take off more than a third of the height in one go, so mowing weekly keeps each cut small and gentle.

Spring (March to May)

Growth wakes up. Start with a fortnightly cut on a high setting in March as the grass gets going, then move to weekly through April and May as growth accelerates. This is when the lawn thickens up, so regular cutting really pays off.

Summer (June to August)

Peak growth early summer means weekly, sometimes twice a week in a warm, wet spell. But in a hot, dry summer the grass slows or goes dormant and straw-coloured, and you can ease right off, mowing only when it actually grows. Raise the cut height in summer so longer grass protects its own roots.

Autumn (September to October)

Growth picks up again in the cooler, damper weather, so go back to weekly through September, easing to fortnightly in October. Lower the height gradually for the last cuts of the year. This is also the season for the heavy lawn-care jobs, covered in our Lawn 101 guide.

Winter (November to February)

Largely stop. The grass is dormant and cutting cold, wet or frosty grass does more harm than good. If a mild spell pushes a little growth, you can give it a very light tidy on a dry day with the blades set high, but never mow frosty grass.

Let the grass tell you, not the calendar

The dates above are a guide, not a law. The real signal is height: when the lawn is about a third taller than your target height, it is time to cut. A warm, wet autumn can mean you are still mowing in November, a cold spring can push your first cut into April. Watch the grass.

FAQs

How often should I cut my grass in summer?

Usually once a week, occasionally twice in a warm, wet spell of strong growth. In a hot, dry summer when the grass slows or browns off, ease right back and only mow when it is actually growing.

Should I cut grass in winter?

Mostly no. Grass is dormant in UK winters and cutting cold or frosty grass damages it. In a mild spell you can give a very light, high tidy on a dry day, but never mow frosty or waterlogged grass.

Can I cut my grass too often?

Cutting weekly is fine and good for the lawn. The mistake is not frequency but taking off too much at once. As long as each cut removes no more than a third of the height, frequent mowing thickens the lawn.