All gardeners urged to do one thing when cutting grass to 'avoid damage'

It's getting to that time of year when a lot of us are starting to think about cutting the grass.

After all, the is heating up, the sun is in the sky and a lot of us are starting to spend more time in the . This is why fans are set to spend a lot more time outdoors over the next few months.

However, even though it may seem tempting to get the ball rolling, there are some things you should know before diving in. That's because making simple mistakes can lead to causing more harm than good in the long run.

Luckily for us, Jamie Shipley, gardening expert and Managing Director of , is on hand to offer some essential tips. When it comes to mowing the lawn, he knows all there is to know.

He exclusively shared some advice that should help people on their way to success. If you follow his tips, your garden should end up looking pretty lovely.

Jamie said: "A freshly mown lawn will help to promote new strong growth and healthy-looking grass. Your grass will begin to grow much faster as temperatures continue to creep up in mid March, but it's important to wait until any risk of frost has well and truly passed before mowing for the first time to prevent unnecessary damage. Once temperatures do rise, and your grass starts to grow, you can begin mowing your lawn weekly.

"While it might be tempting to give your lawn a fierce haircut after winter, cutting the grass too short weakens its growth and it's actually best to start with a light mow. This is because it reduces the leaf surface area, limiting the grass's ability to absorb oxygen and sunlight, which slows down root development.

"Mowing your grass on a low setting can even damage the crowns of the grass plants, weakening the lawn and increasing the risk of weeds, pests and diseases. Short grass also provides little shade, leaving your lawn vulnerable to both summer heat and winter frost.

"A height of 2.5cm is typically good to aim for, though lawns that experience a lot of footfall may benefit from a slightly higher cut of 5cm. Before you mow for the first time, make sure the blades are sharp as dull blades will rip your grass out from the ground which could lead to browning, withering or infection. Blades should be sharpened once or twice a year - you can take your mower to your local DIY store for this."

Grass grows at different rates throughout the year, so follow these rough guidelines to know how regularly to get the lawnmower out. According to Jamie, there are the essential rules you need to follow.

• Spring - Ideally you should mow your lawn weekly, but you might only need a two-weekly mow in March and April.
• Summer - Once or twice a week - just be careful not to overcut your grass; too much trimming when dry can cause damage, making it more susceptible to disease.
• Autumn - Depending on the weather - usually, your lawn will need cutting once a week, however autumn rain can increase growth, so you may need to cut more regularly.
• Winter - Grass growth usually stops in winter, so mowing isn't usually needed.