When to give your lawn the first cut

Homeowners are being advised to hold off on cutting their lawn with rainfall predicted for most of March.

Experts at GardeningExpress.co.uk are urging Brits to keep an eye on their local weather forecast before bringing their lawnmowers out.

According to the Woodland Trust, March 18th is the optimal date when homeowners should start regularly trimming grass again.

However, the date also depends on the location and weather conditions, so gardeners need to keep an eye on local conditions and wait until the grass is dry.

Experts are reminding gardeners of the rule of thumb when it comes to the first cut of the year – keep the mower blades high and trim just a small amount of grass off the top of the lawn.

Aim to mow fortnightly after the first cut and gradually transition to a weekly routine as the weather warms up.

Chris Bonnett, the founder of GardeningExpress.co.uk said: “Mid to end of March is usually the perfect time for the first cut of the year because the temperatures are getting warmer and the grass is not dormant anymore.

“At the moment rain is predicted for most of March so it’s best to keep an eye on your local weather forecast before giving your lawn its first cut.

“If you’ve had rainy days in your area recently, wait until the grass has completely dried to prevent compacting the soil.

“To prevent causing damage to your lawn, make sure that the blades are on a high cut setting, otherwise you will weaken your grass and attract weeds and moss.

“You may also consider leaving a little corner in your garden uncut to provide food and shelter for the wildlife.”

The team at GardeningExpress.co.uk have provided their tips for the first cut of the year:

1. Sharpen the blades

Sharp mower blades give the best results so make sure that your blades are in good condition before you give your lawn its first cut.

2. Clear debris

Make sure to clear any twigs, fallen leaves or rubbish that have accumulated on the lawn during winter. If you skip this step then you may end up damaging your lawnmower.

3. Choose the highest blade setting

Set the blades on the highest setting and give the grass a light trim only, making sure you don’t cut down more than a third of the grass’ height. This will promote grass growth without damaging it or attracting weeds.

4. Avoid waterlogged lawns

If your lawn is wet, avoid walking or mowing it to prevent soil compaction. Compacted soil hinders water, air, and nutrient transport, making it difficult for grass to grow.

5. Tidy up clippings

After mowing, remove the clippings from the lawn. Leaving them on the lawn hinders sunlight from reaching your grass and can contribute to thatch.

6. Leave a corner uncut for wildlife

If possible, don’t mow all of your lawn and leave a small section in your garden uncut for the wildlife so you can provide some shelter and food for them.

7. Carry on mowing weekly or fortnightly

 After the first cut of the year, make sure to mow the lawn at least fortnightly during spring. As the temperatures get warmer and grass grows quicker, it’s best to move on to a weekly routine.