Mowing is crucial to lawn care and maintenance. It keeps a lawn neat, green and healthy by controlling grass height, encouraging new growth and removing weeds. So, let’s discuss how often and when to start cutting grass to have the maximum positive effect on your lawn.
For the sake of brevity, the answer to your main question is March. That’s when you should start cutting your grass. Then, keep cutting until October or early November. Mowing frequency will vary from month to month, but that’s a technicality we will cover later in this article.
However, we won’t just discuss when to start cutting grass and how often to cut it. We will also explore the best time of the day to do the job. These are the kinds of information you need to get the most out of your mowing efforts.
When is the Best Time to Start Cutting Grass?
March is the best time to start cutting grass in the UK. This is when winter ends and spring starts. The rain begins to fall, the supply of sunlight increases and the weather warms up. As a result, the soil and weather become more conducive for plant growth, kicking off the growing season.
Therefore, your lawn returns to its normal growth rate. Soon enough, the grasses become taller than your preferred grass height, thereby asking to get trimmed. That’s our primary reason for mowing lawns- to keep grass at a preferred height.
This idea of “preferred grass height” will vary from one person to another. Some people may prefer four inches, while others prefer one. However, that’s beside the point. No matter how tall or short you want your grass to be, it will overgrow and need trimming at some point.
The first time this happens (in a new year) is around mid-March. That’s when you should start mowing your lawn.
However, consider one more factor before deciding when to start cutting grass. Mowing is stressful for grass. All forms of cutting, including pruning and trimming, are stressful for plants. It makes them vulnerable to pests, diseases and weather damage.
Minimise this risk by never removing more than one-third of a grass’s total size in one go. Hold on to this principle year-round, even when your grass is overgrown. It will prevent scalping and allow your lawn to recover quickly after mowing.
How Often Should You Cut Grass?
This depends on growing conditions, the grass’s growth rate and your preferred grass height. Growing condition is determined by weather, sunlight supply, soil fertility and irrigation. Grass will grow faster and need frequent mowing if all four factors are plant-friendly.
Now, let’s talk about the “grass’s growth rate”. All lawn grass types are not equal. Some grow faster than others. For example, the most common ones in the UK are ryegrass and fescues (tall or fine). Ryegrass grows faster than both types of fescues.
This brings us to the final factor, “your preferred grass height”. As stated earlier, this is a subjective factor that will vary from one person to another. However, consider foot traffic, weather and sunlight supply when choosing a preferred grass height.
Short grass may look neater but tall ones are more resilient. You will also need to mow more often if you like short grass. However, whatever the situation is, your lawn-mowing schedule will follow this pattern.
January to February
You won’t have to mow during this period because plants don’t do much growing in winter. However, even if your lawn is overgrown in winter, it may be better to let it be until spring. This is because mowing grass in winter is problematic in many ways. For instance:
- Cuts make grass more susceptible to cold
- Wet grass is brittle, so the mower can’t make clean cuts. As a result, the grasses end up with multiple wounds, making them more vulnerable to pests, weather and diseases
- The wet grass could clog and damage the mower
- The mower’s weight could compact the wet or waterlogged soil, reducing soil aeration.
Besides, taller grasses have a higher chance of surviving the winter. These are all excellent reasons to wait until spring before making that first cut.
March
Winter is over and spring is here. This is when to start cutting grass. You have to do it every two weeks.
April to May
We are deep into spring at this point. So, the growth rate of your lawn will be at its highest. You have to mow at least once a week.
June to August
Growth rate is still pretty high in summer. So, you have to mow your lawn once a week or every other week. This will change in hot and droughty summers. In this case, it’s better to wait out the drought. Plus, taller grasses have a higher chance of surviving.
September to October
The growth rate of your grass will increase again during autumn. You will have to mow your lawn every week.
November to December
Winter is back. So, everything we discussed under the “January to February” subsection applies here. This moment, or late October, is when to stop cutting grass (for the year).
When is the Best Time of Day to Cut Grass?
The best time of day to cut grass is Mid-morning, between 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM. Late afternoon, between 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM, also works, but the grass will have less time to recover before the cold of the night.
Stick to those two periods and avoid cutting grass in the following periods of the day.
- Early morning (6:00 AM to 8:00 AM): Your grass will still be wet from dew. Remember that wet grass is brittle and could clog up your lawnmower.
- Mid-day (12:00 PM to 2:00 PM): The weather is too hot and stressful for fresh-cut grass.
- Evening to nightfall (after 6:00 PM): Grass won’t have enough time to heal before the cold of the night.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this article didn’t just tell you when to start cutting grass. It also showed you other helpful tips for optimising your lawn mowing routine. However, mowing is not the only care that your lawn needs. Don’t forget to read up on others like lawn irrigation, fertilisation, aeration, dethatching, overseeding, and weeding. You can even decide to learn about artificial grass turfs.
FAQs
Can You Cut Grass In Winter?
Yes, you can cut grass in winter. However, this is rare. It only happens in mild winters.
What Is The Most Common Type Of Lawnmower?
Rotary lawnmowers are the most common type because of their versatility. However, cylinder mowers are better for people who want a neatly cut lawn.
How Much Do Professional Gardeners Charge to Cut Grass?
Professional gardeners charge around £25 to £40 per hour for grass-cutting services.
How High Should The Grass In A Lawn Be?
Most lawns are around 1 inch tall. Lawns in shade are usually 3 inches tall, while a height of 2 inches is more common in high-traffic areas.
What Is “No Mow May”?
This is when you decide not to mow your lawn throughout May. The point is to encourage biodiversity by attracting pollinators and wildlife.
