This is the quickest way to get new grass, but you can also sow grass seeds anytime from late summer to mid-autumn. Don’t let it dry out, and make sure that you don’t cut the grass too short, or you’ll open up room for weeds to grow. It’s important to reduce the height of long grass gradually. September temperatures are still ideal for germination, hitting heights of 8-10 degrees and above. The conventional wisdom that grass shouldn't be cut during winter comes down to the fact that British winter weather usually keeps grass growth to a minimum. New grass is more tender, flexible and finer than more established grass. grass filled in. You always want to cut grass with clean, sharp mower blades but this is particularly important when mowing new grass or lawn. This should take about 8 weeks, so be patient! This helps minimise the stress of that first trim. Because grass grows more slowly in winter, the height of the cut should be higher than a summer or spring cut; the goal is only to cut away the tops of the blades, creating a neat, even appearance, rather than to cut back growth. For best results, lawn seed should be sown in spring (from March to May) or early autumn (September to mid October), when the soil is moist and warm. Two or three days later, cut the grass down by about one-third of its length. To cut down on weeds further, your best bet is keeping your . It takes about six weeks for the seeds to grow into a full lawn that you can cut. Wait three or four days, then give the new grass its follow-up mowing. When you should sow grass seed You can sow Lawn UK lawn seed mixtures at any time from late March to mid-October providing that in periods of unusually dry weather the seedbed is kept constantly moist until the grass is about 6cm (2.5 inches) high. Depending on the seed used and the temperature you should start to see some green shoots within 10 to 14 days. At this time, lower your mower blades and bring the grass down to its actual recommended mowing height. For example, a first mowing should reduce the grass to just above the recommended height. Pay close attention to your grass over the first few months of growth. In the first six months, tend to any weeds by hand and avoid using grass feed or weed product. Because you must wait for seeds to germinate, you cannot cut the grass until two months have passed. Pressure on a frosted grass blade will break off its tip, causing unsightly patches your lawn. When is the last time to cut grass before winter? Carefully rake up the clippings. Depending on the variety of grass seed you use, it can take as little as five to as long as 30 days for the grass to germinate. You must bear in mind that seeds can be destroyed by invaders like animals and birds. Also, cut the grass when it’s dry as cutting wet grass is never recommended. Maintaining a 2 or 3 inch height is critical; do not cut the grass lower than this range because invading weeds and heat stress invite pathogens and pests into the newly seeded lawn. Try and avoid cutting new grass until it is at least 3 inches or more in length, and mow less frequently possible than the rest of your lawn. Before laying a new lawn, take some time to think about the part it will play in your overall garden layout. Walking on soft ground can cause lasting damage to the grass. The last regular mowing of the year usually takes place in November. Dr James Holloway has been writing about games, geek culture and whisky since 1995. Buy online today from the true grass seed experts. Ideally use a cylinder-bladed mower. This can vary widely depending on the species. If a lawn is to be mowed in winter, it's important to make sure that it happens under the right conditions. When the air temperature drops below 5 degrees, grass will stop growing. Once you've passed the hurdles of soil preparation, sowing the lawn seed and ensuring even and continuous watering, make sure you mow the grass at the appropriate times to enhance lawn establishment. The team at Turfonline offer advice on choosing and sowin g grass seed, and guidance around how long it takes for grass seed to grow. Avoid giving your lawn its first trim until the top layer of soil has dried out from rain or watering. The last regular mowing of the year usually takes place in November. This schedule may be kept through the summer if it is wet, or even into September. The grass should be at least three inches tall before the first mow. Your newly seeded lawn reacts more sensitively to environmental factors, especially when it undergoes the stress of its first mowing. Ensure the blades are really sharp. Should I mow the lawn after applying weed killer? In addition, and in typical UK fashion, there is also usually some rain forecast to keep your soil and new seeds moist – so there is less need to have the hose out, or the sprinkler on stand-by! Walking on soft ground can cause lasting damage to the grass. Deciding on whether and when to cut grass depends on a number of factors. Copyright 2020 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. After this second mowing, start a regular mowing schedule that allows the grass to reach its maximum growing height before being cut down to its recommended mowing height. Before mowing, remove the front roller on cylinder mowers to prevent flattening the grass. New grass that has been grown from seed will be much weaker that the rest of your lawn and can be easily damaged if cut incorrectly. In the UK, most lawns experience their highest growth rates during the hot, but relatively damp months of May and June. Patches can be caused by a number of reasons. Generally, allow the newly seeded grass to grow to the maximum growing height recommended for its species. Joshua Duvauchelle is a certified personal trainer and health journalist, relationships expert and gardening specialist. Always water with a fine spray; to great a force of water will displace the seeds. When it comes to cutting this young grass for the first time, ensure your mower blades are sharp so it cuts the grass, as blunt blades will smash into the grass, possibly tearing it out of the ground. This is simply because if the grass has been able to reach this height, it is viable and growing well, and can therefore be cut. The conventional wisdom that grass shouldn't be cut during winter comes down to the fact that British winter weather usually keeps grass growth to a minimum. Wait three or four days, then give the new grass its follow-up mowing. Rain or watering weight will compact the underlying moist dirt and crush the developing roots the well. 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