When can I start mowing my lawn after winter?

You won't be alone in wondering when you can start cutting your lawn after winter. 

As the frosts gradually begin to recede and the first signs of those spring bulbs you planted in fall start to appear in borders and containers, it might be the perfect time.

Cutting a lawn again after winter does, to a degree depend on the climate in your zone, but also on how the weather is locally. However, if you are itching to get your lawn mower out of the garage, and those backyard ideas looking good for spring, you may well be wondering if you can start cutting your lawn again this weekend. 

We've asked the experts to advise.

When can I start cutting my lawn again?

So, why can you start cutting your lawn again after winter? Most – though not all – experts agree that March, possibly late February, is the best time to start cutting a lawn again.

The experts at Johnsons Lawn Seed advise gardeners to ensure all chances of frost has passed before cutting the lawn again, and to ensure that it isn’t too wet: 'If grass is still frozen or you have a random overnight frost, keep well away from it, as you will easily break off tender green shoots,' they say, adding, 'grass will be growing again as soon as the temperature rises above 42ºF/6ºC.'

David Truby, MD of Greensleeves, a lawn care franchise, disagrees: 'It’s actually a common misconception that there’s a specific time of year to mow your lawn. Grass growth slows and becomes increasingly dormant during winter, but its growth certainly doesn’t stop completely, and neither should mowing your lawn. The trick is to continue mowing your lawn as needed, never allowing it to become too long as this can significantly reduce the quality and potentially increase the severity of a moss invasion.'

Our advice? Take a middle path: if your grass looks like it needs cutting again, the conditions are right, and the long-term weather forecast is favorable, it is okay to begin cutting a lawn again – doing so should make a lawn green and thick.

How much should I cut my lawn after winter?

'You should ensure your mower is on the highest cutting height and take care not to cut more than a third of the grass blades in one session, or they will risk harming it,' say the experts at Johnsons Lawn Seed.

How do I prepare my lawn for cutting after winter?

'When cutting your lawn for the first time in spring, it’s likely to look a bit unloved and overgrown, so be sure to clear the area of any leaves, sticks and other debris that may interfere with mowing or could damage the mower blade,' advises Paul Hicks at STIHL.

'Debris on the top of your lawn can weaken or smother grass, making it vulnerable to fungal infections and unsightly yellowing,' continue the experts at Johnsons. 'If your lawn is tired, old and generally thatch-looking, scarify the surface with a spring-tooth rake to get rid of decaying or dead organic matter. You should first rake over in one direction and then at right-angles to the first set of cuts. If your grass is looking a bit threadbare, as so often happens during the ravages of winter, prepare to sow bald patches by removing weeds and forking them over lightly to break up the soil. And remember that although your lawn might look dormant, beneath the surface it is raring to go!'

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