HAVE you mowed your garden lawn yet this summer?
According to gardening expert Chris Bonnett, you might want to hold off on dusting your lawn mower off until you know exactly what to do.
The expert, who is the founder of Gardening Express, told Express.co.uk how to avoid the basic mistakes people always make.
He explained: “When you have long grass, the worst mistake you can make is going in and trying to give it one overall cut.
“This will damage the roots of the grass, encourage weeds and can also damage your lawn mower.”
Instead, the pro recommended taking approaching things in smaller sections, and only cut off a small amount at a time.
He suggested never chopping “more than one third” in one go.
But it’s not just going full steam ahead which is a mistake, he said.
Many gardeners also fail to wear protective clothing when tackling their grass for the first time in months – which could be potentially dangerous.
You should wear long trousers and a long-sleeve top when mowing the lawn, and proper shoes – not flipflops or sandals.
This will protect your arms and legs from insects as well as stones which might fly out of your machine.
Before reaching for your lawn mower you should also clear your garden of debris, including rocks and animal toys.
Raking your lawn before mowing it is also a good idea, since this will lift any grass that’s been flattened.
Mowing your lawn when it’s wet is should be avoided too.
“As the grass is extra long, it will also take a long time to dry up so you’ll want to ensure it is dry throughout before you begin mowing as it can make the job much more difficult,” Chris said.
And finally, take your time and mow your lawn over the space of a couple of days “to avoid too much harsh activity.”
