When to Cut Grass in Spring?

You should cut your grass in spring around the last week of April or the first week of May if you’re north of Colorado, and between late February and early March if you’re south of Colorado. As such, timing your first mow in spring depends on your region within the United States, the type of grass, and local conditions like soil moisture and temperature. Ideally, the grass should be warm enough that new grass is beginning to grow, and the underground root system isn't fragile.

Mowrator has outlined when to cut grass short in spring, considerations before you put the blade to grass, and how frequently you should mow your lawn.

Key Takeaways

• The ideal time to begin mowing in spring varies by region — late April to early May for northern states and late February to early March for southern states.
• It also depends on soil dryness, grass height (2 to 3 inches), mower readiness, and temperatures above 40 °F (4.44 °C).
• Follow the one-third rule to maintain an appropriate cutting height, and increase your mowing frequency as spring progresses.

When is the Best Time for Mowing Grass in Spring?

The best time to mow your grass in spring is typically late February for southern states and late April for northern states. In addition, the best time for mowing in spring heavily depends on your lawn and the grass growth of the season. Mow too soon, and you may risk mowing frozen ground or wet soil; mow too late, and you may have to deal with overgrown blades and an uneven cut. Notably, there isn't an exact date to circle on your calendar, even though that would be very convenient.

Northern States vs. Southern States | Timing Your First Mow

The timing of your first lawn mow will depend on where you are in the United States. The northern states will typically mow their lawns later than the southern states.

The North-South line can be drawn where the cool-season grasses transition from warm-season grasses. States like Texas, Arizona, Florida, and Mississippi have warm-season grass, while California and states north of and including Colorado have cool-season grass. This North-South division influences when your lawn will be ready for its first mow.

What to Consider Before Cutting Spring Grass for the First Time

You should consider the surrounding temperature, signs of grass readiness, the condition of your lawn mower, and the cutting height. Before determining when to mow grass in spring, these considerations are vital to ensure that your grass grows well throughout the rest of the season.

Temperature

Once the worst of the winter snow defrosts, it's best to wait until the temperature reaches above 40℉ before you commit to your first mow. If you mow the lawn while it's still close to freezing or while there's still frost on the grass, you risk damaging the plants. Your first mow in spring should align with the best temperature for your grass, which can also be affected by the type of grass you're planning to mow.

Soil

Even if the temperature is above freezing, it's also worth checking the soil. If spring showers have made your soil damp and muddy, you'll leave ruts and tracks when you mow your lawn. You can test this by whether you leave deep footprints in the soil when walking on your grass. It's best to mow your lawn once everything has thawed and dried to avoid mowing water-saturated ground and damaging your turf.

Grass Readiness

The ideal lawn height season will depend on the type of grass you're cutting (cool-season or warm-season), but it's best to wait until the grass has grown at least 2 to 3 inches before you cut it. New grass, significantly, should only be cut once it's reached at least 3 inches tall. You could also try this simple test: Grab a blade of grass and gently tug. If it comes up easily, it’s too early to mow.

Mower Conditions

Your lawn care is only as good as your lawn mower. Always ensure that your lawn mower has its cutting height adjusted to the highest setting, is in good working condition, and is not rusted. When you first mow your lawn in the spring, use an old lawn mower blade to avoid damage from accumulated winter debris.

Cutting Height

You should follow the one-third rule when cutting the grass in spring and in most other lawn care situations. The one-third rule is never cutting more than a third of your grass height in a single mowing session. Doing so can permanently damage your grass, allow weeds to grow, and leave patches of dead grass.

How Frequently Should You Mow Spring Grass?

You should mow spring every 2 weeks at the beginning of spring, increasing to twice a week at the height of spring growth. Cool-season grass often needs the most attention during the height of spring, with certain species like Tall Fescue and Kentucky Blue requiring mowing every 3 to 5 days. Warm-season grasses will need less attention, but you can mow them around once a week until summer starts.

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FAQs on When to Cut Grass in Spring

Should you fertilize or mow first in spring?

You should mow your lawn first before you fertilize it. Not only can clipping act as a natural fertilizer and reduce the amount of fertilization required, but immediately fertilizing after your grass thaws can lead to nitrogen burn and stress your grass. Leave a 1- to 2-day window between mowing your lawn for the first time in spring and fertilizing it for the best results.

What is the optimal height to mow spring grass?

For cool-season grass like Kentucky Bluegrass or Tall Fescue, aim for between 2.5 and 4 inches. Aim for 3 inches at the start of the season and let the grass grow longer as you reach late springtime (3.5 to 4 inches). You can afford to keep warm-season grasses shorter (between 0.5 inches and 2 inches), depending on the type of grass.

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