Cutting Grass After Winter: When to Begin Mowing Your Lawn

As winter's chill begins to fade, many of us are eager to get back to maintaining our lawns. Typically, the ideal time to start cutting grass after winter is when the temperature consistently stays above 55°F (13°C), allowing the grass to recover from its dormant state.

In most regions, this usually occurs around late March to early April. However, it's essential to check your specific climate and grass type to determine the best time for your area.

The first mow should be done when the grass is around 3-4 inches tall, and it's recommended to raise the mower blade to its highest setting to avoid cutting too much of the new growth.

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The best time to start mowing in spring depends on your local climate and how quickly your lawn starts growing again after winter. Generally, wait until your grass has grown to about 3 inches in height before your first mow of the season.

For most lawns, this will be around mid to late spring, depending on your region's temperatures. It's essential to wait until your grass is actively growing but not too early, as mowing too soon can stunt growth.

Mowing wet grass can lead to uneven cuts and even cause clumps that can smother the lawn. So, timing it right will help avoid stressing the grass and set you up for a healthy, thriving lawn throughout the warmer months.

Grass grows when soil temperature reaches above 6C. With milder winters and grass continuing to grow all year, many people are now cutting their lawns all year round. Regional differences are vast, but on average over 7% of our recorders cut their grass throughout winter.

Here's a rough guide to help you determine when to start mowing in spring:

Keep in mind that these dates are only a rough guide, and the best time to start mowing in spring will depend on your specific climate and lawn conditions.

Before you start cutting your lawn, take a few key steps to prep your lawn and mower for the season. Inspect your lawn for any debris like sticks, rocks, or fallen branches, and remove them to protect both your mower and your grass from damage.

Make sure your mower is in good working order by checking the tire pressure, oil, and gas levels. Sharp blades are essential for a clean cut, so check that they're sharp and free of rust. Dull blades can tear grass instead of cutting it cleanly, leading to a ragged lawn that's more vulnerable to disease.

Fertilizing your lawn is also crucial, especially after a long winter. Apply a balanced fertilizer to give your grass the nutrients it needs to grow strong and healthy. This will give your lawn the boost it needs to recover from the winter months.

Rake up any leftover leaves from the fall to prevent them from smothering your grass. This will help your lawn breathe and prevent fungal infections.

Here are the key steps to prep your lawn and mower:

The best time to start mowing in spring depends on your local climate and how quickly your lawn starts growing again after winter. You'll want to wait until your grass has grown to about 3 inches in height before your first mow of the season.

For most lawns, this will be around mid to late spring, depending on your region's temperatures. Mowing too soon can stunt growth, so timing it right is crucial.

It's generally recommended to cut your grass to about 2.5 to 3 inches in height for the first mow of the season, depending on the type of grass you have. Cutting it too short can expose the root system to stress, pests, and disease.

Mowing too soon, before the turf grass has begun to grow and thicken up, exposes the soil and over-wintering weed seeds to sunlight. Warmed by the sun, weeds germinate and grow rapidly, invading otherwise weed-free turf and resulting in a weed control problem for months.

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To mow your lawn in spring, you should wait until late March in the northern two-thirds of the country, or earlier if you're farther south. This allows the grass to start growing.

It makes sense to move the cutting height to the highest setting initially, so you can remove dead, matted grass and debris.

Lowering the mower by one setting and mowing the lawn again can help remove the old, desiccated grass blades. This allows sunlight to reach the soon-to-be-growing grass.

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You'll want to start with mowing every two weeks, which is usually sufficient at first. This will give your lawn a chance to adjust to the new mowing schedule.

As the grass begins to turn green and grow, you'll need to move to a weekly mowing schedule. This will help keep your lawn looking its best.

For cool season grasses, aim to mow at a height of 3.0 to 3.5 inches. This will help your lawn stay healthy and prevent weeds from taking over.

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For warm season grasses like Bermudagrass, you can mow at a height of 2.0 inches. This will give your lawn the best chance to thrive in the warmer months.

Mowing too frequently can stress the grass, so be sure to stick to a schedule that allows your lawn to recover between mows.

Cutting your grass after winter can be a bit tricky, but don't worry, I've got you covered. The ideal time to start cutting your grass is when it reaches a height of 10-15 cm, as this is when it starts to grow rapidly.

It's essential to check the weather forecast before cutting your grass, as you should avoid cutting it during periods of drought or extreme heat. According to our article, the best time to cut your grass is in the early morning or late afternoon when the sun is not too intense.

Make sure to sharpen your mower blade before cutting your grass, as a dull blade can tear the grass rather than cutting it cleanly, leading to uneven growth and a higher risk of disease.

When you're ready to cut your lawn after winter, make sure to put your mower on the highest cutting height. This will prevent damaging the grass blades.

Cutting more than a third of the grass blades in one session can harm them. So, be gentle and take it slow.

Cutting your grass is an art that requires some finesse, especially after a harsh winter. Keep a high cut, maintaining a tall setting on your mower to safeguard your lawn.

Cutting too close will stress the grass and result in shallow roots, which could ruin your lawn. Aim to cut less than one-third of the height of the grass during your first spring mow. You can always trim progressively more later in the season.

Choose a sunny day when the grass is completely dry to mow. This will help you make a clean cut and promote healthy roots.

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