The Great British Summer is famously unpredictable, but when a heatwave finally hits, our lawns are usually the first to suffer. That lush, vibrant green can turn into a parched, biscuity brown in a matter of days.
While it’s tempting to panic-water or shave the grass even shorter to tidy it up, July requires a different strategy. Here is how to help your lawn survive the sizzle and bounce back once the rain inevitably returns.
1. Raise the Blade
The single most important thing you can do for a heat-stressed lawn is to increase your cutting height. When grass is kept longer (around 50mm–60mm), the taller blades shade the soil. This reduces water evaporation and keeps the crown of the grass plant cool. Short grass exposes the soil to direct sunlight, which bakes the roots and leads to patchy death.
If you’re looking for a machine that makes height adjustment effortless, the Honda HRG 466 SK Izy Petrol Lawnmower is a fantastic choice. It offers six easy-to-set cutting positions, allowing you to quickly move from a standard cut to a heatwave height without any fuss.
2. Master the Art of “Deep Soaking”
Most people make the mistake of a light “sprinkling” every evening. This actually does more harm than good, as it encourages roots to grow towards the surface where they will quickly dry out.
Instead, aim for a deep soak once or twice a week. You want the water to penetrate at least 10cm into the soil. This encourages the roots to grow deep into the earth, making the lawn much more drought-resistant in the long run.
Pro Tip: If you can’t push a screwdriver easily into the soil, it’s too dry. Time to get the hose out!
3. Feed and Protect: The Mulching Advantage
In extreme heat, bagging your clippings can actually strip the lawn of much-needed moisture. Switching to a mulching mower returns finely shredded clippings to the soil. These clippings act as a thin layer of “shade” and return vital nitrogen and moisture to the grass.
The Stiga Combi 548 S Petrol Lawnmower is a master of this technique. Its 4-in-1 cutting system includes a dedicated mulching function, perfect for nourishing your lawn during a July dry spell without the mess of clumps or the need for constant emptying.
4. Precision Cutting for Less Stress
A blunt blade tears the grass rather than cutting it. In a heatwave, a jagged tear is like an open wound that loses moisture rapidly and turns the tips of your grass brown instantly.
Before the peak of summer, ensure your blades are sharp. If your current mower is struggling, an upgrade to a machine with a clean-cutting system like the AL-KO Easy 4.20 P-S Petrol Lawnmower can make a world of difference. Its aerodynamic deck and efficient engine ensure a clean snip every time, reducing the recovery time your grass needs after a cut.
Don’t Panic if it Goes Brown!
It’s worth remembering that grass is incredibly resilient. Most of the time, brown grass isn’t dead; it’s just dormant. It has shut down to protect its core from the heat. As soon as the autumn rains arrive, it will green up again – provided you haven’t stressed it further by “scalping” it or walking on it too heavily during the peak heat.
Is your current mower up to the task of a hot summer? Browse our full range of Petrol Lawnmowers and find a model with the versatile height settings your lawn needs.
