With lawns experiencing rapid growth at this time of year (as well as a little heatwave stress), many households will be using the weekend to get the garden back into shape. But before firing up the mower, homeowners are being reminded to check the time as well as the weather.
Mow at the wrong time repeatedly, and you could end up facing a hefty fine.
How weekend lawn mowing can lead to complaints
Lawn mowing is a routine summer task, but it can become a problem when it's carried out too early in the morning or late in the evening. According to a report by the Express, gardeners could risk complaints if they use noisy equipment outside recommended hours.
There isn't a nationwide law that bans lawn mowing at specific times. However, according to GOV.UK, councils must look into complaints about noise that could be a statutory nuisance. For noise to count as a statutory nuisance, it must "unreasonably and substantially interfere with the use or enjoyment of a home or other premises" or "injure health or be likely to injure health".
What gardeners should know ahead of mowing
To avoid complaints, keep mowing to sociable hours and check your council's guidance before any noisy garden work.
As a general rule, keep noisy garden work to sociable daytime hours. The cited guidance suggests mowing after 8am on weekdays, after 9am at weekends, and, in some areas, after 10am on Sundays.
How often should you mow in summer?
According to the RHS, traditional neat lawns are generally best mown "weekly or fortnightly between March and October to keep them in good condition."
In summer, the RHS says that "with a conventional lawn, mow once a week on average, dropping to once a fortnight, or longer, during periods of drought." Flower-rich lawns can be cut every four to six weeks, while longer grass areas usually only need cutting once or twice over the summer.
The RHS also advises gardeners to "never take off more than one-third of the grass height" when mowing. Regular mowing can help create a neater lawn, reduce unwanted weeds and encourage denser turf. However, during dry spells, mowing less often can help avoid putting the grass under unnecessary stress.
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