Knowing when to start caring for your lawn is important to getting the bright lawn you require. While it may seem like mowing is a simple task that can be done any time of the year, the timing of your lawn care can impact the health and appearance of your grass.
The growing season for grass is similar to other plants, it’s the time when the grass is actively growing, typically from early spring to autumn. Knowing the growing season helps to know when the grass will need regular mowing and when it may be time to stop. Grass types vary by area and climate. Cold grasses grow best in cooler temperatures, while warm-season grasses do well in warmer climates. The best times for mowing and lawn care depend on your grass type.
Spring is the most important time to begin lawn care and mowing, as this is when grass begins to wake up. However, it’s important to time your first mow of the season correctly to avoid damaging your lawn. The first thing to keep in mind when starting lawn care in spring is to wait until the grass starts actively growing. This usually happens when the soil temperature reaches around 10°C. For cold grasses, this could be as early as late March or April, while for warm-season grasses, it might not happen until late April or May.
Mowing your lawn too early before the grass is growing can damage the grass and possibly delay growing. The grass needs time to recover from winter, so wait until the grass has reached a height of about 3 to 4 inches before your first mow. When it’s time for the first mow, avoid cutting the grass too short. Cutting too much off at once can bother the grass and lead to brown patches. Set your mower blades to a higher setting (about 2.5 to 3 inches for cool-season grasses, and 1 to 1.5 inches for warm-season grasses), and slowly lower the mower height throughout the season.
In early spring, the grass is growing fast as the temperatures warm up, especially for cool-season grasses. At this time, your lawn may need mowing once every 7 to 10 days. If you’re dealing with warm grasses, the growth might not speed up until late spring, so you might only need to mow every 10 to 14 days.
As temperatures rise and the grass enters peak growing season, mowing will become more frequent. During late spring, especially for cool grasses, you might need to mow every week to keep your lawn looking healthy. Warm grasses will also become more active and mowing may increase to every 7 to 10 days.
Summer can be a hard time for lawn care, as the heat and conditions can affect grass growth. How often you need to mow your lawn during the summer depends on the weather, the type of grass, and the amount of rain your area gets. It’s important to adjust your mower’s height settings to ensure the grass is cut higher than in the spring. Cutting grass too short in hot weather can stress it and make it more vulnerable. Taller grass provides shade to the soil, helping it stay moist. A height of 3 to 4 inches is generally recommended for most lawns during summer.
If you’re experiencing high temperatures, you might notice that your lawn slows down its growth. You might not need to mow as often, and it’s important to focus on watering to help the grass survive. Watering will encourage the grass roots to grow deeper, making the lawn more resistant. Depending on the temperature, you might only need to mow every 10 to 14 days in the summer, especially if the grass isn’t growing as quickly. For warm grasses, this can extend even longer if your area is dry.
Autumn is one of the best times to care for your lawn and prepare it for winter. Grass is growing during the cooler months of autumn, making it a great time for lawn care. Autumn is also when you can make adjustments before the lawn slows down in the winter.
As the weather cools in late summer and autumn, your lawn will continue to grow at a slower rate. In early autumn, you’ll still need to mow regularly every 7 to 10 days, as the grass will continue growing until the temperatures drop a lot.
As autumn progresses, it’s a good idea to slowly lower the mowing height to prepare the grass for winter. This helps prevent disease and allows sunlight to reach the soil. Do not mow too short, as this can affect the grass. A height of around 2.5 to 3 inches is good for most grass types.
Autumn is a good time to fertilize your lawn. Cool grasses benefit from fertilizer applied in early autumn, which helps them grow strong roots before winter. Warm grasses may still benefit from a light fertilization, but avoid heavy feeding as it cools.
Lawn care requires a lot of special techniques and planning, but you can hire a professional to do the hard work if you can not manage it.