Gardeners urged to complete key job by October

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has shared its top tip for keeping gardens trimmed and ready for winter. When tending to the traditional 'picket fence' lawn, the site advises homeowners to generally mow once or twice a fortnight between the warmer period of March and October to nurture the grass's healthy condition. Not only does this effectively keep gardens neat, but the regular cutting of grass also prevents undesirable weeds from growing.

Many believe mowing to be a complicated art; however, the RHS claims that, with time and practice, the household chore can become easier in just a few tries. Offering a step-by-step mowing guide, the site states that unpredictable weather in the UK means gardeners must be observant of their lawn's growth rate and the texture of the soil - the key being to ensure both soil and grass are not overly wet so that you can make decisions on timely cuts and height.

The site also instructs readers to maintain their mower blades so that they remain sharp and clean so that they can make a precise cut. Additionally, sturdy shoes and long-handled edging shears are listed as must-haves for lawn mowers.

In both spring and autumn, the RHS suggests a once a fortnight schedule for mowing, stating that if there's rapid growth, then gardeners can opt for once a week too. In areas that are dry or shaded by trees, ensure that areas directly under the sun receive adequate moisture levels and darker areas receive less frequent cuts.

Once winter hits, grass cutting becomes less necessary unless the weather and grass sustain Autumn levels, which would then require an occasional mow on a high-cut setting. The RHS states: "Never mow if the ground conditions are very soft, wet or frozen, or during spells of cold, drying winds."

This method will prepare you for No Mow May, which encourages wildflowers to grow in your green spaces. Literally speaking, this method is simply put: don't mow in May. By stopping your lawn cutting in early May, wild plants have space to grow and flower, providing fresh colour and attracting pollinating insects. This biodiversity is great for summer and can even be left till August to preserve the new habitat of varied plants.

Plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms help nurture gardens by supporting wildlife, improving soil health, and reducing the likelihood of pest and disease problems.