Gardening expert Alan Titchmarsh has shared his simple mowing methods to help gardeners achieve a greener and thicker lawn this May. The 77-year-old broadcaster and author, known for fronting numerous gardening programmes, now shares his horticultural wisdom on his YouTube channel, Gardening with Alan Titchmarsh.
In his latest video, Titchmarsh outlined advice for achieving an immaculate lawn, which is the focal point of most gardens. After months of chilly, damp conditions, lawns can look neglected with bare patches and moss growth. He demonstrated how to mow correctly, scarify turf, and adjust mower blade height, offering straightforward recommendations for a greener lawn.
Mowing Height and Frequency
Titchmarsh advises setting the mower blade to one inch in summer and one and a half inches in really hot weather. He explained: "The longer the grass blades, the greener the lawn will stay. Once it gets really hot and dry, the lawn will start to go brown. Never water your lawn. It will recover quickly in a shower of rain."
Regarding mowing frequency, he suggests cutting at least once every two weeks, but for a "really good thick lawn," weekly mowing is recommended during mild weather with ample sunshine and rain. In hot, dry conditions, reduce mowing to once a fortnight, leaving grass slightly longer.
No-Mow May Debate
While many gardeners advocate for 'no-mow May' to support pollinators, Titchmarsh recommends leaving an area completely unmown for a couple of months instead. He said: "It's far better to mow constantly through the year, but to leave longer areas that are unmown. If you're not mowing them, leave them unmown for at least two months before cutting them off and letting them grow again."
He added that 'no-mow May' is "not very practical" for birds like blackbirds feeding their young. He emphasized that a mowed lawn can be wildlife-friendly if organic fertiliser like blood, bone, and fish meal is used in spring, avoiding weed killers and inorganic fertilisers.
By following these tips, gardeners can achieve a lush, green sward that is both pleasing to the eye and supportive of wildlife.
