First Mow of Spring

The first mow of spring feels significant – and it is. After months of winter dormancy, this is the moment your lawn starts its growing season. Get it right and you set the tone for the whole year. Rush it or do it wrong, and you’ll be playing catch-up until summer.

Here’s exactly when to make that first cut, how to prepare, and the mistakes that trip people up every year.

When to Do the First Mow

There’s no fixed date – it depends entirely on when your grass starts growing. In the UK, this is typically somewhere between mid-March and mid-April, but it varies by location and weather.

Watch for these signs:

– Grass is visibly growing (not just green, but getting taller)
– Daytime temperatures consistently above 8-10°C
– Ground is firm enough to walk on without sinking
– No more hard frosts forecast

The grass itself tells you when it’s ready. If it’s grown noticeably since you last looked – say from 4cm to 6cm or more – it’s time. In southern England, this might be mid-March. In Scotland or northern England, late March to April is more typical.

Don’t mow if:

X Ground is frozen or waterlogged
X Grass is still dormant (not visibly growing)
X Hard frost is forecast that night
X Lawn is sodden from recent rain

Before You Mow: Preparation

The first mow goes much better with a bit of preparation. Your lawn has been sitting all winter collecting debris, and your mower has been sitting in the shed since the last mow before winter.

Clear the lawn

Walk the lawn and remove anything that shouldn’t be there: fallen branches, leaves, stones, children’s toys, anything the mower might hit. Winter storms often deposit debris you won’t notice until the mower finds it.

Rake lightly to lift any matted grass and remove the worst of the dead material. This isn’t a full scarification – just a light going-over to clear the surface.

Check your mower

If you haven’t already, now’s the time to service your mower:

– Check the blade is sharp (blunt blades tear grass, causing browning)
– Clean underneath the deck
– Check oil level (4-stroke engines)
– Fresh fuel if it’s been sitting since autumn
– Test it runs before you need it

A sharp blade matters more than most people realise. Torn grass turns brown at the tips and is more vulnerable to disease. If your lawn looks grey or brown after mowing, blunt blades are usually the cause.

How to Do the First Mow

Set the height HIGH

This is crucial. Set your mower to its highest or second-highest setting – typically around 4-5cm. The first cut should just tip the grass, not give it a short back and sides.

Why? Because grass coming out of winter dormancy is weak. Its roots are shallow, its energy reserves are depleted, and it’s just starting to photosynthesise again. Cutting it short now shocks the plant and sets back recovery by weeks.

Take it slow

Walk at a steady pace. The grass is soft and the ground may still be damp in places. Rushing creates an uneven cut and can tear grass rather than cutting it cleanly.

Collect the clippings

For the first mow, collect the clippings rather than mulching. There’s likely to be more debris mixed in than usual, and longer clippings left on the surface can smother recovering grass.

Once you’re into regular mowing (from the second or third cut onwards), you can leave short clippings to mulch if you prefer.

After the First Mow

The first mow is the starting gun for spring lawn care. Now’s the time to assess what your lawn needs and plan your approach for the coming weeks.

Assess the damage

With the lawn tidied up, you can see what winter left behind:

– Moss patches – very common after wet winters
– Bare or thin areas – may need overseeding
– Weed colonies – dandelions and others establishing
– Waterlogged spots – possible aeration needed

Plan your spring treatment

Wait 3-4 days after the first mow before applying any treatments. This gives the grass time to recover from the cut. Then you can apply spring feed, moss killer, or a combined treatment depending on what problems you’ve identified.

If moss is significant, treat it now – it’s much easier to deal with in spring when grass is starting to grow strongly and can fill the gaps left when moss dies back.

Establish a mowing routine

After the first cut, aim to mow weekly or as needed through spring. Gradually lower the cutting height over several cuts until you reach your target summer height (typically 3-4cm for most lawns).

Never remove more than one-third of the grass blade in a single cut. If the lawn has grown tall, bring it down in stages rather than scalping it.

Common First Mow Mistakes

X Mowing too early – before grass is actually growing
X Cutting too short – weakens grass when it’s already vulnerable
X Mowing wet grass – clumps, tears, and spreads disease
X Using a blunt blade – tears rather than cuts, causing browning
X Not clearing debris first – damages mower and leaves scalped patches
X Feeding immediately – wait a few days after mowing

For more mowing guides and comprehensive lawn advice, explore our UK lawn care hub.

Frequently Asked Questions

What month should I do the first mow?

Typically mid-March to mid-April in the UK, depending on your location and the weather that year. Watch the grass rather than the calendar – mow when it’s visibly growing and conditions allow.

How short should the first cut be?

Not short at all. Set your mower to its highest setting (4-5cm) and just tip the grass. The first mow should remove minimal growth. You can gradually lower the height over subsequent cuts.

Should I feed before or after the first mow?

After. Wait 3-4 days after the first mow before applying any lawn treatments. This gives the grass time to recover from the stress of cutting.

What if my lawn has lots of moss?

Spring is the ideal time to treat moss. Do the first mow, wait a few days, then apply a moss treatment or spring feed with moss killer. The moss will turn black within days – rake it out after 2 weeks and overseed any bare patches.

Can I mow if there’s still frost at night?

Light overnight frosts are usually fine as long as the grass has thawed by the time you mow. Never mow frozen grass – wait until late morning or afternoon when it’s fully thawed and dry.