Many people will be eager to cut their grass after winter – but it is important to wait until the right time to avoid damaging the lawn and weakening the grass
As February draws to a close, many Brits will be itching to get back into their gardens and tackle those overgrown lawns.
But it’s crucial to know the optimal time to start mowing after winter, as starting too early can stress and weaken the grass. Lawns go dormant in winter to conserve energy, and premature mowing can disrupt their growth cycle and damage the grass.
This can harm the root system, affecting its water absorption and leading to a longer establishment period in spring, resulting in yellow, dry grass. Lorienne Whittle, an expert from the Woodland Trust, advises that the best time to mow is when temperatures consistently reach and stay above 6C.
She said: “Records from our citizen science project, Nature’s Calendar, over the last few years illustrate how the weather influences our grass-cutting habits. The Beast from the East in early 2018 brought widespread snow and low temperatures, delaying the average first lawn cut to six days after the benchmark year (2001).
“In contrast, a mild start to 2019 and 2020 resulted in early grass growth, with the average date being 21 and 18 days earlier than the benchmark year respectively.” So, according to the Nature Calendar records, the best time to start mowing your lawn will be in March, meaning gardeners can keep their mowers in the shed for another month, reports the Express.
The prime time to start trimming your turf is likely around March 18, when the frost has thawed and your lawn shakes off its winter slumber. Keep an eye out for that fresh green sprouting and make sure the soil’s a steady 10C before you rev up the mower.
But remember, if your garden’s still wet, hold off on the mowing to avoid squashing the life out of your grass. Lorienne advises: “If the ground is too wet, the weight of the mower can damage the grass and compact the soil, making it harder for grass to establish healthy roots. If it’s been wet or you have heavy soil, wait for a few dry days to pass before mowing.”
Patience pays off – wait a bit longer and you’ll be rewarded with a lush, vibrant lawn ready to show off in the sunshine seasons.
