Grass maintenance

Professional grass maintenance ensures your lawn is cut at the correct height for the season, promoting deep root growth and resilience against dry spells. Whether it is a simple fortnightly mow or a comprehensive seasonal treatment plan, hiring a specialist saves time and provides a high-quality finish that domestic machinery often cannot match.

What Does the Work Involve?

• Site Clearance: Removing debris, fallen branches, and stones that could damage mower blades or cause injury.
• Precision Mowing: Cutting the grass to an agreed height using professional-grade rotary or cylinder mowers.
• Edge Trimming: Using strimmers or long-handled shears to tidy borders, fence lines, and around obstacles.
• Clipping Management: Collecting and disposing of cuttings, or mulching them back into the lawn to return nutrients to the soil.
• Blowing and Tidying: Clearing grass clippings from paths, patios, and driveways for a clean finish.
• Health Inspection: Identifying issues like red thread, leatherjackets, or drainage problems before they become costly.

Typical Costs

Several factors influence the final quote, including the steepness of the terrain, the number of obstacles (like flower beds and play equipment), and whether the grass is currently overgrown. Regular maintenance contracts usually offer a lower per-visit price compared to one-off "jungle" clearances.

How Long Does It Take?

• Small Urban Garden: 30–45 minutes per visit.
• Medium Suburban Garden: 1–1.5 hours per visit.
• Large Estate or Paddock: 3–6 hours depending on machinery used.
• Overgrown Clearance: A full day may be required for lawns that haven't been touched in months.

DIY or Professional?

While many UK homeowners handle their own mowing, a professional brings commercial-grade equipment that provides a cleaner cut and better "striping." Professionals also understand the "one-third rule"—never removing more than a third of the grass blade at once—to prevent stressing the plant.

If you choose a professional for chemical treatments (weed killers or fertilisers), they must hold a NPTC PA1 & PA6 licence to apply professional-grade products legally. For basic mowing, no specific licence is required, but a Waste Carrier Licence is mandatory if they take the clippings away.

Choosing the Right Tradesperson

• Check Insurance: Ensure they have Public Liability Insurance (minimum £1m) to cover any damage to your property or neighbours.
• Equipment Quality: Ask if they use sharp, professional blades; blunt blades tear grass, leading to brown tips and disease.
• Waste Policy: Confirm if they are a registered waste carrier if you want them to remove the clippings from your site.
• Questions to Ask:
  • Do you offer a fixed price for a fortnightly schedule?
  • Will you strimmer the edges every time you mow?
  • What is your policy if it is raining on the scheduled day?
  • Are your fertilisers and weed killers pet and child-safe?

UK Regulations

• Waste Carrier Licence: Any gardener transporting green waste from your property must be registered with the Environment Agency.
• Pesticide Regulations: Only qualified professionals can apply "professional use" herbicides under the Plant Protection Products (Sustainable Use) Regulations.
• Noise Ordinances: Most local councils restrict the use of noisy power tools to between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm on weekdays, with tighter restrictions on weekends.

Common Problems

• Scalping the Turf: Setting the mower too low on uneven ground, which kills the grass and encourages moss.
• Mowing Wet Grass: This leads to compaction, uneven cuts, and "clumping" that can smother the lawn underneath.
• Dull Blades: Tearing the grass rather than cutting it, which leaves the lawn looking grey or silvery and prone to disease.
• Hidden Obstacles: Damage to machinery or injury caused by pet toys, stones, or thick surface roots not cleared before mowing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should my grass be cut in the UK?

During the peak growing season (May to August), once a week is ideal. In early spring and autumn, fortnightly cuts are usually sufficient. Mowing should stop once the ground becomes waterlogged or frozen in winter.

Can you mow the lawn when it’s raining?

It is best avoided. Mowing wet grass results in an uneven finish, can clog the mower, and may compact the soil. However, professional mowers with high-suction decks can sometimes handle light dampness if necessary.

Should I leave the clippings on the lawn?

If you mow frequently and use a mulching mower, clippings can be left to return nitrogen to the soil. However, if the grass is long or damp, clippings should be removed to prevent them from "shading out" the live grass and causing rot.

How do I get those classic British lawn stripes?

Stripes are created by a rear roller on the mower, which bends the grass blades in the direction of travel. To maintain the effect, you need a mower with a heavy roller and a consistent mowing pattern.

Why is my lawn turning yellow after being cut?

This is usually due to "scalping" (cutting too short) or using blunt blades. It can also happen during a drought if the grass is cut too low, as the soil loses moisture faster without the shade of the grass blades.

Do I need to be home for the gardener to mow?

Most gardeners only require clear access to the lawn and any locked gates. As long as pets are indoors and the area is clear of debris, you do not usually need to be present.