When Should I Start Mowing My Lawn in the Spring?

The fact is, there’s no specific date. The sure-fire indicator of when to start mowing your lawn again in spring is to observe it as it grows.

Not all the time, of course — that would be awfully dull.

You monitored how your grass grew throughout the years. Estimate how tall it’s getting, and keep an eye on the weather; before you break out that mower for the first time make sure its new lawn meets these conditions:

1. Wait until temperatures have been regularly hitting at least 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Attempting to mow grass that has not completely awakened from its winter slumber can injure the delicate blades.
2. Make sure your grass is dry. That’s at least the conventional wisdom. Other times, however, the spring rain simply won’t quit. Here’s what to do when the weather won’t work with your mowing schedule.
3. Check that your grass is at the correct height. The ideal height of the cool-season grasses we have here in Minnesota is typically 2”-2.5”. But keep in mind, that’s end-of-cut height. When mowing, you should never remove more than one-third the height of the grass, meaning your height before mowing should be roughly 3”-3.75” for most cool-season grasses.

No one is pulling out a tape measure every time they mow the lawn. One tip on how to set the lawnmower height: Set the height of your blade and leave it there. Take your lawnmower wheel and mark a line on it to indicate your minimum before cutting. Then draw an arrow to it so you’ll know which way is “up” when the wheels rotate. When the grass grows so high that it meets the line, it’s time to cut.

But I Like To Work In The Yard!  What Should I Do While I Wait?

Good question! Here are some ideas for spring lawn care — before you even mow.

1. Don’t forget to sharpen the blades on your lawnmower. Blunt blades can tear your grass rather than giving it a clean cut — and those tears will make your grass more susceptible to disease. In fact, while you’re at it, do a good once-over on your entire mower. Follow our tips for proper lawn mower maintenance.
2. Dethatch your lawn. Dethatching loosens up dead grass to allow oxygen and water to penetrate to the grass roots where it’s sorely needed. Do you wonder if your lawn needs to be dethatched? Call R & S Landscaping and have a technician come out to assess your lawn’s needs.
3. Do a general yard spring cleaning. Clear away leaves and debris that allow disease to take up residence on the grass. Think about physically removing trees and hedges, and if a new firepit or paver patio would be right for you. Early in spring is also the best time to inquire about landscaping services for the upcoming season. (We’ll do your spring clean-up for you, too!)

If when your lawn is ready for mowing you’re not quite ready, then give us a call or send us a request for a lawn mowing quote. Want to learn more about our lawn care services? Behind the company, R & S’s crew of experts will have your lawn looks normal out and about in a matter of moments.