When Can You Start Mowing Your Lawn?

Spring has sprung in many parts of the country and if you’ve already tuned up your lawnmower or bought a new one, you’re probably anxious to get out and start mowing your grass. But before you do that, it’s good to know when is the right time to start mowing your lawn in the spring. It’s not quite as simple as “when the grass starts growing.”

So, When Can You Start Mowing Your Lawn?

While the answer depends on where you live and what type of lawn you have, the general indicator will be how tall your grass is. Here in California, we have already started with our mowing chores while people in the North East may not be quite there yet. I recommend that you wait until it’s warm enough to mow regularly. If temperatures are expected to drop below 40 degrees, you wait a bit longer.

The Ideal Height to Cut Grass?

According to Pennington‘s full list, the recommended grass blade height is about three inches. However, there are exceptions, and is dependent upon what type of grass species you have. Typically you should keep your grass about three inches long, and mowing it down to  1-1/4 inches to 1-1/2 inches with the last cut of the season.

You should never cut the grass too short before the end of the season because the sun will dry out the soil and create dead patches. This can damage the soil and the lawnmower itself. 

What Are Ideal Mowing Conditions?

Try to avoid cutting wet grass. Instead, wait until the lawn has dried out some. Mowing wet grass is bad for several reasons. Wet grass can clog the mower, causing it to overheat, and stick to the mower’s underside, which is difficult to clean. Also, wet grass tends to leave clumps of wet clippings that could smother the grass beneath. And then there is the danger of you slipping on the wet grass while you mow.  Early evening is the optimal mowing time since it allows the grass the most shade to heal.

What if It Gets Cold Again?

Spring weather can be fickle. It’s hard to predict when cold weather actually is behind us. Temperatures should be consistently above 40 degrees F before you start your mowing chore again. However, do not mow again if temperatures drop and there is frost. Mowing frosted or frozen grass can damage your lawn, possibly killing it.

When to Fertilize and Water Your Lawn

If you fertilize twice a year, Spring is the time to apply just enough lawn fertilizer to help green up the grass. A third application can be added in mid to late spring, combined with your weed preventer. If you only fertilize once a year, for most regions the best time is around Labor Day.

Obviously, watering your lawn properly is crucial for a lush look and feel. How much water and how often depends on the region, grass type, the soil composition, and other factors. Generally, grass should be watered early in the morning. Watering during the hottest times of the day allows too much water to evaporate, limiting hydration. And watering at night encourages the growth of harmful fungi.

When to Outsource

For some mowing their own lawn and tending to their gardens is a joyful hobby. They have no problem doing this regularly on the weekends or their time off. But not everyone is excited about the fact that they have to trade in their precious time mowing the lawn. Given that their lawns may not be mowed weekly and ultimately show signs of neglect. A healthy, lush lawn is the result of regular care. If that is you, perhaps outsourcing the lawn mowing chore is for you. When you consider the value of your time vs the cost of such a service, most likely you will agree that it is worth it. If you live in Benicia, Vallejo, or American Canyon one such service provider is Shamrock Landscape Company. Look them up and give them a call to schedule your lawn maintenance service.