Three-step method to cut long grass and 'make it healthy'

Struggling with an untidy, overgrown lawn? Fear not - an expert has the ultimate guide to taming your jungle-like garden.

If you've returned from holiday or simply haven't had a chance to mow, and now face a wilderness where your neat lawn once was, Reiss Broadbent, artificial grass specialist at , advises: "Cutting long grass can be tricky, but with the right approach, you can restore your lawn to a healthy, beautiful state. It's key to take a step-by-step approach, especially when you're dealing with overgrown grass."

Cutting down overgrown grass - here's how

Tackle it with a grass strimmer

Reiss suggests kickstarting your lawn rescue mission by assessing how overrun your grass really is: "If your grass is a foot tall or more, I'd advise using a grass strimmer first. This will reduce the height and make the subsequent mowing much easier."

Employing a grass strimmer is vital for getting that under-control feel without putting undue stress on your mower: "Starting with a trimmer helps you avoid flattening the grass, which can occur if you go straight in with the mower."

Before diving into action, Reiss recommends a safety check for debris that could harm your equipment: "Use your strimmer to trim off the top layer of grass, holding it at an angle and moving side to side. This will make the mowing process much smoother."

Rake up the grass clippings

Once you've done the essential task of strimming, don't forget the clean-up: "Unlike lawnmowers, grass strimmers don't collect debris, so you'll need to rake up the offcuts. This gives you a clear area to mow and prevents the mower from getting clogged."

Finish with the lawnmower

After bringing down the height with the strimmer, it's time for the mower to take over. Reiss suggests starting on the highest setting, tackling the lawn bit by bit: "This gradual approach helps to avoid stressing the grass and ensures a more even cut."

He further recommends making multiple runs with the mower, each time with a slightly lower blade setting: "This is key to ensuring your lawn doesn't get scalped, which can damage the grass and affect its growth."

Tips for long grass care

Reiss has invaluable advice for summer lawn care - respect the heat: "In hot weather, it's best to leave your grass a little longer to help it cope with heat stress. Longer grass creates a 'micro jungle' that provides a cooler environment at soil level, helping to protect the roots."

Avoid cutting damp lawns

Another top tip from Reiss is to shun lawn mowing after rain. "Mowing wet grass is not ideal and can lead to clumping and clogging of your mower," warns Reiss. "It's better to wait for drier conditions to get a cleaner, more even cut."