The Exact Date To Mow Your Lawn In 2026 — And The Temperature Rule To Follow

Spring is finally on the horizon – but when should you mow the lawn for the first time after winter?

In 2026, the expected first mowing date is 13th March, according to Met Office data analysed by Black+Decker.

The Royal Horticultural Society advises that grass won’t grow in temperatures below 7° Celsius (C). Black+Decker’s analysis suggests that from 13th March, temperatures are expected to remain consistently above this threshold throughout spring and into summer — signalling the start of the mowing season for much of the UK.

‘Whilst there are many contributing factors that play into the optimum time to mow a lawn here in the UK, our research shows that the middle of March is likely a good time to start,’ says Nick Ee, product training manager at Black+Decker.

‘However, I’d urge everyone to keep checking their local forecasts beforehand as we know how quickly the weather can change. It’s also important to consider other elements such as rain, frost and wind as these conditions will have an impact on the task at hand and Britain is no stranger to an ice blast or two in spring.’

Why temperature matters more than the calendar

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While March is typically considered the start of mowing season, experts say temperature is the more reliable guide.

‘Traditionally, the beginning of the cutting season is early to mid-spring,’ Chris Cooper, senior product marketing manager at Hayter, tells House Beautiful UK. ‘However, the more accurate way of knowing when the ideal time to begin cutting your lawn is by taking note of the temperature.’

When you do start mowing, avoid using the low grass height setting on your mower. ‘Grass growth will be quite slow at the beginning of the mowing season, so raise your cutting height, similar to how you had it in winter, and keep it high until the weather is consistently above 10°,’ advises Chris.

Weather conditions to avoid

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Even if the calendar says it’s time, mowing in the wrong conditions can damage both your lawn and your mower.

‘Wet grass clumps together, leading to an uneven cut and clogs in the lawnmower. It can also tear rather than cut cleanly, making grass vulnerable to disease,’ warns Nick.

Mowing in frost or freezing temperatures ‘weakens the grass and makes it more prone to disease’, says Nick. ‘It can also shatter the blades, turning them brown and increasing stress. Cold temperatures can also make mower parts brittle, and ice buildup on moving parts can cause mechanical issues.’

Although strong winds are not too detrimental to lawn health or likely to damage the mower, Nick says it can ‘dry out freshly cut grass and cause it to spread clippings unevenly’, which ultimately makes the clean-up harder.

How often should you mow after the first cut?

Following the first cut of the season, ease into a regular schedule to avoid damaging your lawn.

‘You should begin by mowing every two weeks with the higher cutting height enabled, shortening this to every 10 days as it gets warmer and eventually to weekly mows around mid-late May – or again – when the weather is consistently above 10°,’ says Chris.

What time of day should you cut the grass?

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The best time to cut your grass is mid-morning to early evening, although this can vary depending on conditions.

‘The problem times to look out for are after dusk, the afternoon, and very early morning,’ reveals Chris. ‘Mowing after dusk will leave your lawn vulnerable to fungal attacks, mowing in the afternoon could disturb natural wildlife (as well as being too hot in the summer regardless), and when mowing in the very early morning, the temperature will be too cold – with potentially frosty grass still wet from dew, affecting grass growth.’

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