He’s shared little-known lawn facts and the common mistakes gardeners make
First Cut Sunday is key to a healthy lawn(Image: Getty Images)
Spring officially arrives this weekend and with the warmer weather upon us, most people’s thoughts are turning to the garden.
After a long winter, green-fingered Brits will be eager to show their lawns some love, and getting the date of that first cut right is more important than you think.
Lawn and garden experts Flymo have revealed why this Sunday (March 22) is the perfect time to get the mower back out.
Announced as First Cut Sunday by the garden specialists, the timing of that first trim is key to ensuring your lawn remains beautiful and thriving all year round.
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Michael Holden, lawn guru at Flymo(Image: Flymo)
According to Michael Holden, lawn guru at Flymo, reaching for your mower any earlier than First Cut Sunday equals bad luck for your lawn. Gardeners risk causing excessive stress to the lawn, leaving freshly cut blades exposed and vulnerable to frost damage.
Any later, he says, and you run the risk of developing a patchy, uneven lawn, shading lower roots which can stunt growth.
But First Cut Sunday is about more than simply tidying up your lawn. According to Michael, timing the first cut with care and precision triggers an incredible wave of biology right underneath your feet, benefiting your entire garden.
“A surprising, little-known fact is that your lawn is actually a bit of a chatterbox, it’s always talking and even defending itself,” he says.
“Grass releases chemical signals when it’s cut. That beautiful smell of freshly cut grass, that’s your lawn sending out distress signals which can prompt nearby plants to boost their own defences.
“Enjoying the longer days, basking in warmer temperatures, all of nature’s subtle signs that spring has well and truly arrived. When this happens, the lawn naturally wakes up from its dormant state, and that’s the key to getting your first mow right.
“There’s nothing quite like the feeling of starting up the mower for the first time, but your lawn needs that vital sign from nature before we think about its first trim.
“Waiting until the grass is actively growing again means your first cut helps strengthen the lawn, rather than putting it under stress whilst it’s still recovering from winter.”
This Sunday (March 22) is the perfect time to get the mower back out(Image: Getty Images)
According to Michael, late frosts are still common in early spring, and cutting your lawn too soon can weaken grass just as it’s emerging from a well-earned rest throughout the cold winter months.
By the end of March, often aligning with the first Sunday of astronomical spring, conditions are typically milder, daylight hours are longer, and the grass is strong enough to respond positively to its first trim.
When soil temperatures consistently rise above 6-8°C, the point at which grass begins actively growing again after a period of rest during the cold winter months, it’s the perfect time to start as you mean to mow on.
“The key to your first mow of the year is balance, waiting for warmer, drier conditions, when the grass has come out of its dormant state. Get this right, and you’ll have that lush summer lawn that makes the neighbours green with lawn envy,” Michael adds.
Despite the excitement First Cut Sunday brings, Michael urges Brits to use the one-third rule to avoid ‘scalping’ their lawns, the biggest mistake people make that can attract disease and weeds.
“The most important thing is to wait until your grass is about five to eight centimetres high before its first cut of the year, and if you want to be super precise with a tape measure, well, that’s lawn dedication,” he says.
“The second most important thing to remember is during your first mow, you shouldn’t take more than a third off the grass blade in one go. So, if your lawn is around six centimetres tall, you should only be taking one or two centimetres off, with your mower at the highest cutting height.”
Timing is key when it comes to caring for your lawn(Image: wwing via Getty Images)
The dos and don’t of First Cut Sunday
DO
Always wait until the first Sunday of astronomical spring to avoid damaging your lovely lawn.Measure your lawn before cutting to ensure you get the one-third rule just right – tape measures at the ready, Brits!When it comes to leaving grass clippings behind, fine is fine! A light covering of clippings can actually benefit your lawn.Michael explains: “Light clippings can actually be a great benefit to your lawn, as they are around 80% water and contain valuable nutrients such as nitrogen, so as they break down, they are putting that much-needed goodness back into the soil.”
DON’T
Cut your lawn too early, otherwise you’ll have bad lawn luck all year round!Don’t leave that first cut too late either, otherwise you risk ending up with a patchy, uneven lawn.It may be tempting to cut your grass extra short and get your garden looking tidy, but don’t! Scalping your lawn can do more harm than good, inviting unwanted diseases. Resist the temptation to cut your lawn extra short – a gradual trim will benefit your lawn so much more.Always avoid leaving thick clumps of clippings behind; these can suffocate soil, and can create damp conditions that moss and diseases thrive in.
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