This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it [Learn more]
You may be tempted to do the first mow of the year, but a lawn expert says to hang on a little longer. It’s getting a bit milder, but mowing too soon risks stressing the grass and impacting its growth.
Cutting the grass too early – before it has exited its winter dormancy – is rather like waking someone up with an ice-cold bucket of water. It shocks the system and can cause damage to your lawn that lasts well into the summer.
“The lawn mower should stay in the shed for now,” said Chris McIlroy, from The Grass People. “Grass should be actively growing when you mow, and that only happens when temperatures are above 8C to 10C consistently.”
READ MOREWhat happens if you jump the gun? Die back: Freshly cut grass blades are essentially open wounds. If you mow and then a frost hits, the freezing moisture enters the cut ends, and they’ll go a sickly brown or yellow. It doesn’t just look bad; it can kill the individual grass plants.Soil compaction: The soil is often still waterlogged from winter rains and the weight of a lawnmower (and your feet) will compact the lawn. This prevents oxygen and nutrients from reaching the roots and leaves unsightly indentations.Shallow roots: Cutting the grass while it’s still waking up forces the plant to divert its limited energy into repairing the blades rather than building a strong root system. This makes your lawn much less drought-proof over the summer months.Moss and weeds: When you cut grass too early or too short, you can end up with bald patches. Moss and opportunistic weeds (like dandelions) are much better at colonising bare, cold earth than grass is, and you can bid farewell to a lush green lawn come June.
The first cut
If you want to pencil in a date for the first cut of the year, many experts are pointing to mid-March – Friday the 13th to be exact – based on Met Office temperature trends. Avoid mowing if frost is forecast within 24 to 48 hours or if there’s a squelchy sound when you walk on the grass, reports Wales Online.
McIlroy says: “When you mow for the first time this year, ensure your mower blades are on the highest setting so you only trim the very top third of the grass. You can cut it shorter once you’ve seen how your lawn bounces back from this first mow.”
Useful items
Lawn feed: A 1.25kg bag of Dark Green Lawn Fertiliser costs £13.99 on Amazon. Fast acting 90-day feed (child and pet-friendly) to cover up to 50sqm.
Garden rake: The Unibos Garden Rake is £7 on Amazon. Telescopic handle with 15 springy long tines. Ideal for raking leaves and scarifying the lawn.
Lawnmower: Save 30% on the Bosch EasyRotak Corded Rotary Lawn Mower, now £77 at Argos using the code RED30. Lightweight mower with powerful 1200W motor and 32cm cutting width.
In the meantime
If you’re itching to make a start outside, there are plenty of things you can do to prepare your garden for spring. “If you’re fed up with your lawn looking untidy, go out and clear up some of the debris that could have settled over the colder months,” says McIlory.
“Twigs and leaves that have fallen from nearby trees and bushes can make your garden look unruly, but can also block the essential nutrients your lawn needs.” Scarify the lawn with a spring tine rake and consider giving it a fertiliser boost to help fight off diseases, then formulate a plan for dealing with moss and reseeding any bare patches.
Aerating the soil helps relieve compaction and aids drainage – it’s also quite therapeutic: stab the lawn with a regular garden fork, give it a slight wiggle and pull it out, then repeat every 15cm. Finally, give your mower a clean and see if the blades need sharpening or replacing.
Waterlogged lawn?
Lawn aerator: The Colwelt T-Handle Grass Spike is down to £25.99 on Amazon. Powder coated steel tool with four 9cm-spikes. Wide foot plate to maximize downward force and cushioned non-slip handle.
Shoe spikes: A pair of Lawn Aerator Shoes are down to £18.47 on Amazon. The strap-on spiked sandals have adjustable fasteners to fit all shoe sizes. Wear while mowing (come spring) and do two jobs in one!
Garden fork: The Heavy Duty Garden Border Digging Fork costs £13.49 at B&Q. Multi-purpose durable tool with carbon steel shaft and ergonomic handle.
Prices correct at time of publishing.
MORE FOR GARDENERS
Comments are closed.