Commence Resurgent Lawn Mowing in Spring: Timing Advice Revealed
Are you ready to get your lawn looking spick-and-span for the spring season? Here's a lowdown on when and how to mow your grass like a pro.
Ambient Temperatures are Perfect
For cool-season grasses such as fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, and perennial ryegrass, temperatures need to consistently hover around 50 degrees Fahrenheit for the green stuff to start growing. Mowing a half-frozen lawn can lead to cut blades, so it's best to keep that mower in the shed while it's still cold.
As for warm-season lawns, like Bermuda grass, centipede grass, and zoysia grass, they might not wake up until late spring, when soil temperatures reach 65 degrees. Hold off on mowing until your lawn has greened up and started growing.
Tackle Lawn Problems First
If your lawn is covered in last fall's leaves or pine straw, grab a rake and take care of it before you start mowing. Don't forget to treat invasive weeds and evaluate whether you need to prepare for overseeding.
Wait for Active Growth
Cutting grass only when it's actively growing helps maintain the health of your lawn. Wait until the grass is at least 1/3 longer than its ideal length before you start mowing. For warm-season grasses, aim for around 3-4 inches tall. The ideal height varies for different grass types.
Spring Lawn-Mowing Tips and Tricks
Don't Delay Mowing
Avoid leaving your lawn to grow too long, as this could lead to hacking off several inches of grass and potentially harming your turf. Start by setting the mower on its highest setting, and gradually lower it in stages over a few days. A lawn longer than 6 inches is too tall.
Mow When Dry
Mowing wet grass may result in ruts, big clumps of cut grass, and could potentially spread diseases. Hold off on mowing until the dew has dried or after a few days following heavy rain.
Choose the Right Height
For cool-season grasses, you can start by setting the mower to 2.5-3.5 inches, then gradually increase it to 3-4 inches once the weather gets hot. For warm-season grasses, set the mower to around 1.5-2 inches or even lower, but be prepared to maintain a more frequent mowing schedule. Be mindful not to remove more than 1/3 of the blade length.
Keep Your Mower Blades Sharp
Invest in having your mower blades sharpened, which will not only make your mowing experience smoother but also lead to a cleaner cut.
Fertilize Your Lawn in the Spring
Cool-season grasses should be fed with fertilizer around the same time they get their first mowing, typically in the early spring. Fertilizing in the summer could be too late as these grasses tend to go dormant during the heat. Warm-season grasses, on the other hand, are best fertilized in late spring or during the summer months.
- For the best gardening results, consider seasonal gardening techniques, as cool-season grasses like fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, and perennial ryegrass require temperatures around 50 degrees Fahrenheit, while warm-season lawns might wake up later, around 65 degrees.
- Gardeners should tackle problems like leaves and pine straw in the lawn before mowing, and deal with invasive weeds to prevent future issues.
- Caring for your garden involves waiting for active growth before mowing, with cool-season grasses mowed at a height of 2.5-4 inches, and warm-season grasses at around 1.5-2 inches, increasing or decreasing the height depending on the weather.
- Southern Living offers various gardening ideas to improve lawn care, such as mowing when the grass is dry, choosing the right height, keeping the mower blades sharp, and fertilizing in the spring.
- After early spring mowing, continue caring for your garden and lawn by mowing regularly, maintaining a balanced soil temperature, and addressing any perennial or seasonal gardening ideas that may suit your region and climate, especially in Kentucky.
