As the weather warms up after a cold winter, many gardeners will be excited to get back into the garden.
But an expert has warned that it may still be too early to cut grass and doing so could lead to more issues than it solves.
Chris McIlroy from The Grass People said: “The ideal time to cut your lawn is when the weather is dry and the temperature is above 8C and not dropping to temperatures which could enable diseases to latch onto the grass roots.
“We’ve had some mild weather recently which might have led some people to mow their lawns already.
“But the temperatures are still dropping to 3C and below some evenings, which can cause grass to become diseased and die out.
“The longer the grass is, the more it can protect itself. Shorter grass can be more prone to issues.”
Grass growth stops in the colder months, but tends to start again when temperatures reach around 10C.
When it is time to mow the lawn again for the first time, ensure the weather is completely dry and cutting a wet lawn can cause issues.
Chris added: “Mid-March can be a good time to give your grass its first cut of the year but of course, weather conditions vary so keep an eye on your local forecast to get the right grass-cutting conditions.
“Waiting until April, if you can, would give your grass the best chances as the temperatures are likely to remain milder.
“Before mowing, check the lawn for any debris including leaves and stones. You should also set your mower to the highest setting so you don’t cut the grass too short.”
If you have cut your grass and notice yellowing or bare patches, the expert said that this could indicate diseases.
However, there are some ways to save the lawn before it’s too late.
The grass expert continued: “Your grass has battled through the elements over winter, some areas might need digging up and sowing some new grass seed.
“Giving your whole lawn a feed will also support it in the upcoming months. Take your time investigating your lawn and working out what it needs.”
