If you’re set to mow you lawn for the first time there’s always the question of when.
When is the right time for the first cut? And how much do you need to cut with that initial mow?
Generally, a lot of people cut first when they see some green growth under the frost-burnt tips of the grass. And that’s very prevalent now with the recent cold nights and hard frosts. It’s called ‘dead heading’ and it amounts to cutting off the winter kill, or freeze, that makes bluegrass and fescue look brown and ugly. What you do is set the mower height to where it just nips off the brown, and in a few days you’ll see some remarkable generation in your lawn. It’s like a signal to the plant roots that it’s time to kick things in gear.
Others choose to wait until there more actual green growth under the brown tips. And that’s OK, too. The problem with waiting too long, however, is that you sometimes get an early buildup of clippings, and if you do, it’s important to go back over the lawn a second time, maybe the following day, and disperse that dead grass. It looks better, and it can help fight early disease issues with warm, wet conditions.
Overall, I think cutting early is better than waiting. Most people enjoy having the lawn look green by Easter, and a good way to achieve that is the ‘dead head’ cut.
And another thing to consider for early mowing is attention to mower blades. Make sure they’re good and sharp, and if they aren’t take the time to address that. Dull blades can do damage with blunt cuts to the plant, and that can cause some disease issues in warm, wet conditions, besides looking unsightly. Dull blades also create additional stress on the mower engine.
Anyway, all of the above are things to consider with the first mow of the spring, and that time is here. Those warm days over the last two weeks have made your lawn wake up. A good feeding will help, and the time to fight crab grass later in the summer is right now. Ever-Green can help you with that.
Lawn care season is here. Have fun!
