Are you wondering when is the right or wrong time to start mowing your lawn in the spring? While it’s often recommended to avoid planting until Mother’s Day, does that also mean you have to wait until then to mow your lawn?
Not to worry, you do not need to wait until Mother’s Day to mow your lawn for the first time in the season. The general rule of thumb is to wait until you see your grass actively growing, reaches about 3”-4” in height, and when the lawn is dried out enough from the winter months. Let’s get into when to start mowing your lawn in the Spring.
My First Mow In The Spring
This year specifically in Illinois, it was a mild winter. Little snow, a good amount of rain, and warmer temperatures mean that everything is blooming earlier, and is SO LUSH already! I LOVE this time of year, and nature impresses me every year with its possibilities and capabilities. I digress, but it’s true!
On April 13th, with the grass thriving and the weather ideal, I seized the opportunity to give my lawn its first mow of the season. With clear skies and temperatures in the 70s, it set the stage for a spontaneous evening of grilling with family. Meanwhile, some neighbors opt for “No Mow May,” a practice I admire and may consider next year. Whether you mow early or embrace a delayed approach, do it intentionally and embrace what works best for you.
4 Benefits Of The First Mow In Spring:
Not only does a freshly cut lawn look good, but there are also benefits to your first mow in the spring!
1. Promotes healthy growth: Trimming the grass encourages lateral growth and helps the grass blades thicken, resulting in a lush, healthy lawn.
Remember to set your mower’s blades to a higher setting, since the grass is usually taller during this first mow, so you don’t stress cut the lawn too low, and “stress the grass”. Stress is not good for anyone or anything!
2. Removes debris: It clears away any debris or dead grass left over from winter, allowing sunlight and air to reach the soil and promoting new growth.
*Make sure to clear any larger debris that could harm or break your mower, like rocks or pieces of metal. Where would metal come from, I am not sure, but it can happen… it happened to me! See how easy it was to fix it on my own!
3. Prevents pest habitats: Regular mowing reduces the chances of pests finding shelter in tall grass. (Please make sure there are no bunnies already nesting in your lawn before you start mowing, there are a lot of newborns this time of year!)
4. And, a bonus benefit: Feelings of accomplishment, and satisfaction!
Order Of To-Do’s When Mowing Your Lawn For The First Time In The Spring:
I like to do my lawn work in a specific order, it just makes the most sense in my brain, okay! I’d be curious to know if you do it in the same order, similar, or completely (wrong…kidding!) different!
- Remove any larger debris, and dog poop (I have 2 dogs)
- Mow the backyard, then mow the front
- Weed Wack & edge the front yard
- Blow the front yard
- Weed wack & edge the backyard
- Blow the backyard
- Water both front and back, if needed, and depending on the time of day!
The order in which I mow my lawn goes from making a mess to cleaning up. I like to maintain a clean and orderly front yard for my neighbors and passersby, not only out of respect for them, but I am proud of my yard, and it deserves to look its best at all times! So, the less time I leave the mess from my mowing and edging in front, the better! It’s the small things that may not matter to others, but I notice them, and they matter to me!
So do what works for you, and be proud of it! Comment below or DM me on Instagram your preferred order of doing your yard, and anything different you may add in. I always love to hear how others do things.
Also, are you team gas or team electric? I made a recent switch from my gas mower to electric– more on that later!
Happy Mowing!
