Wet weather has been seen across the country this week as Storm Éowyn causes chaos.
If you are eager to get back into your garden to deal with the aftermath, an expert has warned against cutting your grass.
“Not only is cutting damp or wet winter grass a bad idea for your lawn but also for your lawnmower,” Nick Ee of BLACK+DECKER said.
He explained wet grass tends to tear rather than cut cleanly, leaving jagged edges that make lawns more vulnerable to pests and diseases.
Mowing the lawn in winter can damage the grass
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The torn grass can severely impact future growth, while wet clippings often clump together and suffocate the grass underneath.
The equipment also suffers during winter mowing, with blade-dulling occurring more rapidly than usual.
Nick added: “This is damaging for the lawnmower as it dulls the blades faster and strains the motor due to added weight.”
He advised waiting for dry conditions before considering any mowing activity to protect both gardens and equipment.
While mowing is off-limits in January, Britons can focus on other essential lawn maintenance tasks instead. Aeration is particularly important during the cold months.
The gardening expert continued: “In the winter months, lawns can become waterlogged if there’s inadequate drainage therefore it’s important to aerate which will help with drainage and loosening compact ground.”
The process takes less than 10 minutes and requires a simple technique you can do with equipment you already have in your home.
“Simply push a gardening fork into the surface of the lawn as far down as it will go and repeat until you’ve done the whole garden,” advised the expert.
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Giving the lawn a break is good for its health
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While winter gives lawnmowers a temporary break, the gardening pro emphasised the importance of proper maintenance before spring use.
Sharp blades are crucial for maintaining lawn health and they should be replaced every season or after 25 hours of use.
Nick continued: “A sharp lawnmower blade is key to a healthy, well-manicured lawn and having dull blades can tear grass leading to ragged edges that can often open your lawn up to disease and pests.”
Several signs indicate when blades need replacing, including visible dullness, nicks, or uneven cutting patterns.