To help you out, a grass expert has shared a handy 15p laundry accessory that’ll help you make the decision.
Spring is almost here and homeowners will be looking forward to enjoying their gardens once again but, as tempting as it might be to give your lawn a mow, it’s crucial to check the length of a lawn before getting your mower out.
How to use a laundry peg to indicate when your grass can be cut
To do this, you can get a clothes peg, which costs 15p per unit on Amazon, and use it as a point of reference.
Ben Agnew, grass expert at Lawnsmith, said: “Cutting your lawn when it’s too short can cause damage and prevent it from growing back.
“Grass is dormant over winter and it’s important to see signs of life before mowing it. When grass is 5-7cm in height, this is an indicator that it’s growing well and is safe to be cut.
“While not many people will have a measuring tape to hand in their garden, you could use something like a clothes peg as a reference.
If your grass doesn’t reach this height, you might need to address an underlying problem.
“Winter is a challenging time for lawns, so if it’s not growing back as quickly as you’d expect, you might need to give some areas a bit of extra care and attention,” added Ben.
“This could be applying fertiliser or overseeding bare patches.”
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For the first cut, a lawn mower should be on its highest setting so it just trims the grass. It’s also worth checking the forecast before starting.
Ben said: “Another important factor is the temperature. Grass stops growing in colder months but kickstarts again when temperatures are 8-10C.
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“Ensuring your local forecast shows temperatures above this level is important so grass is actively growing, but also so that your freshly-mowed lawn doesn’t have to face any frosty nights.
“You should never mow a wet lawn either. This is because wet grass can clump together and result in an uneven cut. Your mower can also tear at the grass instead of cutting it, leaving it vulnerable to diseases.”
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The expert insists on checking lawns and mowers before starting because a mower digging into damp soil can also damage grass roots which can hinder its growth.
He said: “Clear any debris before mowing to avoid damage to the mower and your lawn. Make sure your mower’s blades are sharp to ensure a clean cut.
“Gently rake away the cuttings and then let your lawn recover for one to two weeks after the first mow. You should then aim to mow weekly, depending on the weather forecast.”
