Lawn care specialists' advice on the optimal time and method for the initial grass trim of the season.
## First Lawn Cut of the Year: A Guide to Healthy Grass
As the days grow longer and warmer, it's time to prepare your lawn for its first cut of the year. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you make the most out of this crucial step, ensuring a healthy, resilient lawn throughout the growing season.
### Timing is Key
The ideal time for your first lawn cut is early spring, after any period of winter dormancy. However, it's essential to avoid mowing if frost is forecast or when the ground is wet, even if mild winter temperatures prompt some growth. Wait until grass is dry to prevent clumping and potential turf damage, and ensure the soil is firm enough to support mower weight without compacting.
### Height Matters
For the first cut, set your mower to its highest setting—around 4–5 cm (about 1.5–2 inches). Gradually reduce height with subsequent cuts, but never remove more than one-third of the blade in a single mow (the “one-third rule”). In summer, raising the mowing height by ½ to 1 inch can help shade soil, conserve moisture, and protect roots.
### Temperature and Conditions
Ideal temperatures for vigorous grass growth and recovery are typically in the 10–25°C (50–77°F) range, but spring growth can start even if air temperatures are slightly cooler, provided the soil is warming and there is no frost risk. Never mow during frost; wait until temperatures are reliably above freezing and the risk of frost has passed. Adapt frequency to growth rate: mow weekly if grass is growing quickly, and less often if growth slows in colder or drier weather.
### Frequency of Cuts
Begin mowing when grass reaches 5–7 cm (about 2–2.8 inches). Rake off winter debris before the first cut to allow grass to breathe and dry. Collect clippings after the first mow to reduce stress on new turf. Change mowing direction with each cut to encourage upright growth and prevent ruts.
### Additional Mower Care
Sharpen blades before the first cut; dull blades tear grass, increasing stress and disease risk. Inspect blades every 20–25 hours of use or at least each season.
### A Summary of Best Practices
| Factor | Recommendation | Notes | |-----------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------| | Timing | Early spring, after dormancy, dry and frost-free ground | Skip if frost forecast or wet soil | | Grass Height (First Cut) | 4–5 cm (1.5–2 inches), highest setting | Gradually reduce height | | Temperature | Above freezing, ideally 10–25°C (50–77°F) | Frost inhibits growth and recovery | | Frequency | When grass reaches 5–7 cm, then weekly if growing fast | Adapt to grass growth rate | | Blade Care | Sharp blades, inspect regularly | Clean cuts reduce stress and disease | | Mowing Direction | Alternate each mow | Promotes upright growth | | Clippings | Collect after first mow | Reduces stress on new turf |
By following these practices, you can help ensure a healthy, resilient lawn throughout the growing season and reduce the risk of stress, disease, and frost damage. Over time, grass can be cut shorter until you reach the desired height, but this is best done over several weeks to avoid weakening the grass.
The first lawn cut should be made when grass is actively growing. In the UK, the average time for the first lawn cut is around mid-March. However, the perfect grass-cutting conditions might come sooner in the south of England than in the highlands of Scotland. After the first mow in the new season, you may not need to mow again until a few weeks have passed.
Cutting your lawn too short is amongst the possible causes of excessive moss growth. The RHS recommends mowing either weekly or fortnightly between the months of March and October to keep your lawn in the best condition. A cordless lawn mower with 6 cutting heights is available with a limited-time offer of 30% off with the code RED30. After the initial cuts, aim for mowing every two weeks, gradually transitioning to a weekly mow as the season progresses.
The 'one-third' rule applies for the first lawn cut of the year: never cut down more than a third of the grass's total height each time you mow. By the end of June to early July, you should mow the grass with sharp lawn mower blades once a week to maintain a pristine lawn. Lawncare experts advise against cutting more than 20% off the top of your grass at once to minimize stress and damage to your lawn. Grass growth is triggered by warmer weather, not specific dates. The ideal temperature for the first cut might vary depending on grass type.
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