02 March 2024 , 07:00
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Gardening gurus have revealed how the simple cotton ear bud can help you with your first lawn mow of the year.
After the turbulent winter weather, lawns across the UK have been through a tough time over the past few months. While the weather is getting warmer, experts are warning gardeners to make sure their grass is the right height before getting their lawn mowers out.
And there’s a common household item which could help you determine if your grass is the right height - a cotton ear bud. Timothy Greene at iCANLAWN.com said: “People might be keen to get their gardens sorted in time for spring but mowing your lawn when the grass is too short can cause damage and stop it growing back properly.
“The ideal height for grass to be before you cut is around 5cm to 7cm, which is around the same height as a cotton earbud. This height means the grass is growing well and is safe to cut. But you should also make sure there’s no frost and the lawn isn’t wet either," he said. Mr Greene also recommends putting your mower on the highest setting so you don’t cut the lawn too short.
If your grass is failing to reach the ideal height for cutting then there could be an underlying problem, which you need to address. Mr Greene added: "Lawns have had to deal with frost, heavy rain and other challenges over the winter so there might be areas that need extra care. Whether that’s a feed to battle any diseases or new seeds sowed to cover patches."
Gardening expert shares exact date when you should cut grass after winter
Keep an eye on the weather forecast before getting your mower out, as frosty nights could spell trouble for a freshly cut lawn. Mr Greene said: "Mid-March is a good time to give you grass its first cut of the year but of course, weather conditions vary so keep an eye on your local forecast to get the right grass-cutting conditions.
“Your grass’ growth will have stopped over winter but generally kickstarts again when temperatures are around 10C. You should also make sure your mower’s blades are not too dull as this could cause damage to your grass. And in turn, make sure your lawn is clear from debris so that it doesn’t cause damage to your mower.
“After the first mow of the year, you should aim to cut your grass weekly. But do keep an eye on the weather as it can be unpredictable.”