When a UK heatwave finally arrives – sometimes all at once, sometimes just for a fleeting few days – our gardens often feel the strain before we do. That lush green lawn you’ve been proudly mowing all spring can quickly turn parched, patchy and stressed when the sun refuses to budge and rain is nowhere to be seen.

But don’t panic – with a few simple tweaks, your grass can stay green, healthy and ready for every sunny BBQ or impromptu paddling pool party the Great British summer throws your way.

Here, Cheryl Harper, Managing Director of Greensleeves Lawn Care, shares her top heatwave lawncare tips to help keep your garden looking its best when the temperature soars.

Don’t cut too short
One of the biggest mistakes people make when the sun’s blazing is mowing the lawn too short. Cutting grass too low exposes the soil to direct sunlight, drying it out fast and putting the roots under stress.

Instead, leave it a little longer – around 5-7cm is ideal – so it casts its own shade and holds on to moisture where it matters. Raise the height on your mower and try not to trim more than a third off in one go. It’s a small change with a big payoff for keeping your grass lush when the heat is on.

Water smart, not hard
When the sun’s cracking the flags, it’s tempting to reach for the hose daily – but watering little and often doesn’t do your lawn many favours. A deep, thorough soak once or twice a week is much better, helping the roots grow down into the soil where it’s cooler and damper.

Early morning is best, before the heat builds and steals away all that precious moisture. But don’t forget to check for any local hosepipe bans – a water butt can be a real saviour if the dry spell drags on.

Sharpen up your mower
Blunt blades tear at the grass instead of giving it a clean cut, which can leave your lawn looking frazzled and make it more prone to disease – especially in hot weather.

A quick check and sharpen at the start of summer – and again mid-season if needed – keeps your mower cutting cleanly, so your lawn stays neat, tidy and more resilient when temperatures climb.

Tidy the traffic
Lawns under heat stress can struggle to bounce back from heavy use, so try to spread the wear and tear. Move garden furniture around every few days, don’t leave paddling pools sitting in one spot for too long and, if possible, avoid parking on the grass.

Little tweaks like these help prevent bare patches – keeping your garden party-ready all summer.

Feed gently
When it’s scorching, go easy on the fertiliser. Too much feed can burn your lawn when the sun is fierce, but a light summer-specific feed can keep growth ticking over and strengthen the grass. A slow-release formula works best – and always water it in well.

If you’re unsure which feed to pick, your local lawn care expert will know exactly what works for your soil and the UK’s famously fickle weather.

Don’t panic about brown patches
Even with the best care, some browning is normal when we’re lucky enough to get a proper heatwave. Grass is tougher than it looks – most lawns bounce back beautifully once the rain inevitably returns.

So, stick to good mowing and watering habits, hold your nerve and trust your lawn to recover when the clouds finally roll back in.

Make the most of a British summer
A good stretch of sunshine is something to savour – so the last thing you want is to spend it worrying about your grass. With a few smart changes, your lawn can stay green, healthy and ready for whatever the British summer brings – whether that’s a scorching heatwave or a surprise downpour the next day.

And if you ever need a bit of extra help, the team at Greensleeves is always on hand with local know-how to keep your garden looking its best. So, pour yourself a cold drink, kick off your shoes and enjoy every sunny minute – your lawn’s got this.

For further information about Greensleeves and how they can help you with your lawn care, visit www.greensleeves-uk.com