With the onset of spring, it’s time for gardeners to get back outside and start tending to the grass, but there are some crucial things to avoid if you don’t want to destroy your lawn
If you’re planning to cut the grass for the first time soon, there’s some vital preparation to complete first if you don’t want a costly catastrophe.
Gardeners may be looking out their windows at the sprouting grass and planning the first trim of 2024 now that spring is well and truly upon us. March is traditionally the month to get the wellies back on as the plants and trees burst back to life and begin to look unruly, but an expert has warned not to be too hasty.
The British weather being as unpredictable as it is could throw a spanner in the gardening works and the month has been a very wet one for many across the UK, which poses some problems, not just for the messy looking grass but for your mower too.
Chris Bonnett, the founder of GardeningExpress.co.uk recommends waiting until conditions improve: “Mid to end of March is usually the perfect time for the first cut of the year because the temperatures are getting warmer and the grass is not dormant anymore,” he told the Express.
“At the moment rain is predicted for most of March so it’s best to keep an eye on your local weather forecast before giving your lawn its first cut. If you’ve had rainy days in your area recently, wait until the grass has completely dried to prevent compacting the soil.”
He advises that you shouldn’t walk on a wet lawn either for this reason because if the soil underneath becomes compacted it hinders the transportation of water, air and nutrients, which will then lead to the grass struggling to grow.
There are also some important preparations steps to take such as clearing any twigs, branches or debris that has fallen on the grass over winter as it could damage your lawnmower and end up costing you money.
When it comes to the mower, Chris says for the perfect first trim of the year, you should sharpen the blades beforehand. They should also be moved to a high setting because cutting too close can cause damage and you may end up with dreaded weeds taking over your grass.
“To prevent causing damage to your lawn, make sure that the blades are on a high cut setting, otherwise you will weaken your grass and attract weeds and moss,” he says. “Give the grass a light trim only, making sure you don’t cut down more than a third of the grass’ height.”
For those who have the space, he also suggests leaving a small area uncut for wildlife to find food and shelter.
Finally, once you have completed the initial cut, repeat every two weeks during spring and once a week in the summer months when the weather is warmer and the grass grows quicker.
What do you think of Chris’ tips? Let us know in the comments below.
