Heatwave after heatwave is hitting the UK right now, and our lawns are feeling the brunt of it. Luscious green grass is a rare sight, more often replaced by what looks singed and crisp. Just last week, I watched my parents desperately try to revive their pride and joy with the occasional hosepipe spritz, but it made little to no difference, so what’s the answer?
Lawn care in such heated conditions is tough. And with the looming hosepipe bans in the south-east, things are only likely to get tougher. To save your lawn while there’s still time, I spoke to four lawn care experts to reveal the secret tips to a prosperous lawn, even when it’s facing a heatwave and water is sparse.
1. Don’t cut the grass too short
If you mow the lawn, don’t overdo the height setting and cut it short. Whenever your lawn is cut, it’s left vulnerable and exposed. The sun can penetrate the grass better and reach the soil, which means any moisture will evaporate more quickly while drying out the roots. In short, you’re doing more damage than good.
According to John Cho, founder at MyCozyPlant: ‘Taller grass blades act as a natural shade for the soil. If you cut it too short right before a hot spell, the sun bakes the dirt and damages the roots. If you do cut your lawn just before a heatwave, it’s important that you do so at the highest height setting.’
Considering the above, you should generally avoid mowing your lawn during a heatwave. While it might look unruly, it’s healthy! But if you’re determined, use one of the GHI’s best electric lawnmowers on test. The 1/3 rule could be ideal to follow.
GHI best electric lawnmowers
Score: 92/100
Our top-scoring electric lawnmower is a cordless model that left clear mower strips behind when we tried it out in testing. It's easy to manoeuvre round and under benches and we found emptying the grass box straightforward thanks to the handle on top. We'd have liked the handle to be more easily adjustable (you have to unscrew some parts to change the height) but otherwise this is a sturdy, reliable lawnmower.
Score: 89/100
With up to 25 minutes cutting time per every charge, this affordable mower is a wise pick for small gardens. In testing, it cut grass evenly and left visible strips on our lawn. The wheels didn't leave behind a track either and the whole machine rolled along effortlessly thanks to its lightweight design. Just note, the front of the mower tips back when the grass box is completely full because it's so light!
2. Water at the right time of day
If you are going to water your lawn, try to do so deeply and at the right time of day. Watering when the heat is at its peak will just evaporate faster than it’s absorbed. But, watering in the evening isn’t necessarily the answer, either; while it’s dark and cool, disease and fungi are more likely to crop up.
Hugh Barlow, the head of commercial at East Riding Horticulture says: ‘In dry weather, resist the temptation to water your lawn daily. Established lawns benefit the most from infrequent, deep watering.
‘Water once or twice a week and aim to give your grass approximately 25mm of water in total. Deep and infrequent watering encourages the grass roots to grow deeper into the soil in search of moisture, which can improve the overall health of your lawn.’
Hugh recommends watering early in the morning, aiming to wet the root zone rather than the leaves, and prioritising high-use areas when the water supply is limited.
If you’re facing restrictions with your hosepipe, there’s always the option to use any grey water you’ve collected around the home for a top-up. Leftover water from your bath, shower or even the rinse cycle of your washing machine can all work, so long as they’re used within 24 hours.
3. Apply grass clippings
While you might think a layer of mulch will suffocate your lawn, it has several benefits. First, it can provide an added layer of protection for the roots of your grass – saving them from the intense rays of sun mentioned earlier and the heat that comes with it. At the same time, it can lock in any moisture and prevent unwanted evaporation. On top of that, this additional layer prevents any rogue weeds from taking root and provides much-needed nutrients for the soil as it decomposes, so it’s a win-win.
Julian Palphramand, head of plants at British Garden Centres, recommends: ‘Leaving short grass clippings on the lawn to act as a light mulch and help return some moisture and nutrients into the soil. Around the rest of the garden, mulch can make a real difference by helping beds and borders retain moisture, which in turn, reduces pressure on nearby plants and creates a more stable environment for the lawn.’
Just watch the clippings don’t compact and suffocate the lawn if it does happen to rain; you can always rake it away once dry. Keep the layer thin and even when applied.
4. Vary the grass you grow
If you’re looking to make your lawn more durable for the future, it’s worth considering if you want to try alternative grasses.
‘There are three main approaches homeowners can take as lawns come under increasing heat stress,’ according to garden manager Alex Hankey at RHS Garden Wisley. ‘The first is to adapt traditional lawns by using drought-tolerant grass mixes, particularly those with higher proportions of fescues, and by mowing less frequently and at a higher cut to reduce stress on the grass.
‘A second option is to transition towards mixed planting lawns, where grasses are combined with low-growing plants selected for their habit and tolerance of mowing. These create more resilient, lower-maintenance surfaces that cope better with dry conditions while still functioning as usable garden space.
‘For those looking to move further away from traditional turf, tapestry lawns offer a more naturalistic alternative, replacing uniform grass with diverse, low-growing planting mixes designed to reduce the need for irrigation and regular mowing.’
Wisley’s own tapestry lawn includes several species of plant which can cope in a dry climate, including Chamaemelum nobile ‘Treneague’, Thymus pulegioides ‘Tabor’ and Acanthophyllum cerastioides to name a few.
5. Watch you don’t make things worse
It’s tempting to give our lawns a helping hand when we see it struggling. But you can make matters worse, according to Julian:
‘It’s sensible to avoid heavy feeding, scarifying or other treatments during extreme heat, as these can add further stress when the grass is already struggling. It’s also best to reduce foot traffic on parched turf since heat-stressed grass is more easily damaged and compacted. The main thing to remember is that a lawn doesn’t need to look perfect in hot weather, and the priority is simply to keep it healthy enough to recover once the conditions improve.’
Chemical fertilisers can end up scorching your lawn if they don’t receive enough water, and with intense footfall, your lawn could end up with a dusty path to show for it! In short, watch what you apply and keep traffic to a minimum while it’s vulnerable.
The one exception to the treatment rule is wetting agents. Hugh continues: ‘Wetting agents are substances designed to help water absorb into soil more quickly. They support lawn quality in periods of dry weather by improving the effectiveness of watering. They’re particularly helpful when soils become dry, compacted or hydrophobic, causing irrigation or rainfall to bead on the surface and run off instead of soaking down to the roots.’ Follow the instructions for application and dosage.
Striking Lawns Premium Lawn Wetting Agent
