For most home lawns, the short answer is no. There are really only a couple of good reasons to mow very short – if you’re aiming to create a backyard practice putting green or a cricket pitch for family fun. Outside of that, keeping grass too short often causes more problems than it solves.

A lawn with a bit of length and a healthy layer of grass cover does a lot of good. During winter, longer grass slows the movement of water across the surface, which helps reduce the risk of pooling or flooding after heavy rain. In summer, that extra height shades the soil, helping it absorb rainfall or irrigation more effectively and reducing moisture loss through evaporation.

Mowing height doesn’t need to be fixed all year either. It’s a good idea to lift the cutting height over the warmer months to protect the lawn from heat and dryness, then lower it slightly through winter if growth slows or conditions are wetter. Adjusting your mower to suit the season helps keep your lawn stronger, greener, and more resilient year-round.

In short, resist the urge to scalp. A slightly longer lawn is usually a healthier, happier one. For more information read our Lawn Guide.