Lawns are likely looking a little worse for wear at this time of year with frost, torrential rain and strong winds having an impact.
Lawns usually need to be mowed from March and October, but when should you make that first cut?
Gardening expert Calum Maddock at HomeHow has shared the exact date people should start mowing their lawns this year and the best time of day to cut it.
Most people will need to start mowing their garden lawns in March, however, where you’re located, the weather and temperatures will all affect when you start regularly trimming your grass.
Mr Maddock said: “The average date of the first lawn cut in the UK is March 18. So, you should keep this number in mind when thinking about when is best for making the first lawn cut.
“The grass will begin to grow when the soil temperature goes above six degrees Celsius. Before that, the grass will still remain dormant as it has over winter.”
Mid to late March is the best time to start cutting lawns but gardeners will need to keep an eye on local conditions and when the grass starts to grow.
Lawns cannot be cut when they’re too wet so the weather forecast needs to be checked regularly.
When making that first cut, gardeners need to make sure they only trim a small amount off. In fact, it’s recommended that gardeners remove less than a third of the height during the first trim of the year.
Mowing the grass too close can lead to shallow roots and could put stress on the lawn. Shallow roots can make lawns more susceptible to diseases, drought and bare patches.
Rather than removing a big chunk of grass at once, gardeners can trim more and more off the length week by week as its growth rate speeds up.
Calum continued: “It is best to cut the grass later on in the day so that any potential frost has properly thawed and all dew has evaporated.
“It’s always best to cut the grass when it is dry, so you may need to cut off the first cut if it has been particularly rainy during March.
“If the grass is too wet, the weight of the mower could cause some damage to the grass and may also compact the soil. This will then make it much more difficult for the grass to establish healthy roots needed for growth.
“If it’s been raining a lot or if the soil is heavy, it’s best to wait a few days before completing the first cut.”
