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Summer can be tough on as the dry conditions often leave them brown and brittle, but there is a surprisingly simple way to make the grass a deep green colour. It turns out you do not have to spend ages picking up your grass clippings after mowing, as it can work as a natural that will as it breaks down.

Larry Hodgson, known as the , has shared this easy technique called Grasscycling, and not only feeds a lawn but keeps it watered for longer. He said: "In times of drought, a grasscycling lawn stays green longer than a lawn whose clippings have been collected, because by forming a thin mulch, they reduce evaporation and maintain soil moisture.

"In other words, weedcycling has nothing but advantages and almost no inconvenience. What are you waiting for to put it into practice?"

Grass clippings retain lots of moisture and will reduce evaporation, which helps during hot summer days.

These leftovers also contain nitrogen, which is one of the most important nutrients for grass as it encourages it to grow thicker and healthier, which helps keep it green.

How to use grass clippings to keep the lawn green in summer

Some gardeners worry that leaving grass clippings on the lawn will smother the grass or lead to thatch buildup.

However, the clippings decompose quickly and help nourish the lawn as long as you mow the lawn regularly, as it is better to use short grass clippings.

Larry explained: "Longer clippings tend to accumulate, forming unsightly clumps that don't decompose easily and must be broken up and spread with a rake. Herbicomposting is more effective and easier if you mow frequently."

If you wish to use clippings in your garden, then leave the grass as 10 to 12 centimetres while mowing and make sure the grass does to grow longer than 15cm.

If your grass is long, or then set your lawn mower on maximum height and wait for a dry day to mow.

Do not cut more than a third of the height of the lawn while mowing, as cutting too much at once will stress the grass and take too much water out of the ground.

Once you have your clippings, wait for a sunny day and spread them in a thin layer so they settle between the grass blades.

Do you use thick or wet clippings, as they can cause the grass to become matted, which will block sunlight, air and water reaching the lawn roots.

If you apply thin and short clippings, then they should decompose very quickly. Apply every two weeks, and you should have an emerald green lawn throughout summer.

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