In the UK, where rain showers have been a common occurrence this winter, and the start of spring hasn’t seen much improvement just yet, a curious conspiracy is circulating that while the weather is still wet you should not mow your lawn.
While it’s understandable to want to wait for dry conditions before your first mow, the reality is that regular lawn mowing, even in winter if your grass is still growing, is crucial for the health and appearance of your lawn. Now that spring has sprung, mowing matters more than ever and we’re here to tell you why. So, grab your raincoats, adjust your mower settings, and embrace the benefits of keeping up with your lawn care, rain or shine!
We love to see our client’s lawn stripes. Not only do they look great, but they are a sign that our clients are regularly mowing to maintain a healthy grass growth.
The Dangers of Letting Grass Grow Too Long
Before we dive into the benefits of lawn mowing, let’s first understand the risks associated with letting your grass grow too long, especially during the rainy seasons.
- Moss and Thatch Buildup: Long grass creates a damp, shaded environment that is ideal for moss to thrive. Moss can quickly overtake a lawn, smothering the grass and creating unsightly patches. Thatch buildup, a layer of dead grass and debris, can prevent essential nutrients and water from reaching the soil and the grassroots.
- Weed Invasion: Longer grass provides an inviting habitat for weeds to take root and spread. Weeds compete with your grass for nutrients, water, and sunlight, weakening the overall health of your lawn.
- Lawn disease: The weight of the long grass blades can cause them to bend and mat down, preventing sunlight and air from reaching the lower levels of the grass. This creates an ideal environment for lawn diseases to take hold such as fungal infections that thrive in damp, shaded areas.
It’s important for a healthy lawn not to let your grass get too long. Regularly lawn mowing even in autumn and winter whilst the grass is still growing, is essential for the overall well-being of your grass.
Why Mowing Is Essential for Your Lawn
After a long winter of dormancy, grass can grow long and unkempt, making your lawn mowing essential for several reasons.
- Promotes Healthy Growth: Regular mowing encourages grass to grow thick and lush. By removing the top portion of the blades, you stimulate the grass to grow new shoots, resulting in a denser more resilient lawn. This also prevents lawn disease and helps to choke out weeds, giving your grass the upper hand in the battle for nutrients and sunlight.
- Prevents Stress on Grass: Allowing grass to become too long before mowing can stress the plants. Cutting off excessive lengths of grass can shock the grass and leave them vulnerable to damage.
- Improves Air Circulation: Mowing helps to improve air circulation and sunlight penetration which are crucial factors for a healthy lawn. This reduces the risk of mold and mildew growth, particularly in damp climates.
Longer grass creates shade and traps moisture near the soil surface allowing weeds to germinate and establish themselves in these areas.
Lawn Mowing Tips For A Healthy Growth
Here at Lawntech, we’ve put together these top tips for a healthy mow this season.
- Timing: Aim to mow when the grass is at its driest, such as in the late morning or early afternoon when the sun has had a chance to dry the surface. Avoid mowing immediately after heavy rainfall, as a wet cut can lead to an uneven mow and clog your mower. Wait for the surface water to drain away to reduce the risk of compacting soil.
- Height: Set your mower blades to a higher height for early cuts in the new season. Cutting the grass too short can stress it out and leave it vulnerable to damage. A general rule of thumb is to never remove more than one-third of the grass blade length at a time.
- Blades: Before you start, ensure your mower blades are sharp. Dull blades tear the grass rather than cutting it cleanly, leaving ragged edges that are prone to disease. You can also have a look at our useful guide to sharpen your mower blades here.
- Oil: Check the oil level against the manufacturer’s guidelines and top up if required, or if the oil is black or discoloured it is ready to be changed.
- Fuel: the same applies to the fuel level in your tank. Check the level and top up if necessary. You’ll be good to go for the new season!
- Collect the clippings: We always recommend collecting your grass clippings. Especially after winter, if your lawn has become very long, leaving the grass clippings on your lawn can kill the new grass leaves underneath.
At Lawntech, we understand the importance of lawn mowing for healthy, vibrant grass. Regular mowing not only keeps your lawn looking neat and tidy, but it is a fundamental aspect of lawn care that directly impacts the health, growth, and resilience of your grass.
Your lawn’s first mow of the year sets the stage for a season of healthy grass growth. By understanding the importance of lawn mowing in early spring and following best practices, you can ensure that your lawn remains lush, resilient, and a source of pride throughout the year.
Visit Mowing Your Lawn at our website for more useful lawn mowing tips and take a look at our Lawn Care Guide for helpful topics and lawn-related advice for this season.
