March 3, 2019 | Posted in: EnJay Updates, Lawn Care

…and when not to!

This isn’t like gardening, where you absolutely have to wait until Mother’s Day to transplant in Minnesota or something terrible will happen (that might not actually be written in stone, but it should be).

WHEN TO FIRST CUT YOUR GRASS IN THE SPRING

The truth is, there isn’t a set date.  The best way to tell when to start mowing your lawn in spring is to watch it grow.

Not constantly, though—that would be terribly boring.

Just keep an eye on the growth of your grass over time.  Estimate how tall it’s getting and watch the weather; before you initially pull out that mower make sure your lawn meets these 3 conditions:

1.       Wait until temperatures have been consistently reaching at least 40 degrees Fahrenheit.  Trying to cut grass that hasn’t fully thawed from its winter nap can damage the tender blades.

2.       Make sure your grass is dry.  At least that’s the conventional wisdom.  Sometimes, though, the spring rains just won’t let up.  Here’s what to do when the weather won’t cooperate with your mowing schedule.

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3.       Determine that your grass has reached the proper height.  The optimum height of the cool-season grasses we have in Minnesota is generally about 2”-2.5”.  But remember, that’s post-cutting height.  When you mow you should take off no more than one-third of the height of the grass, so your pre-cutting measurement should be about 3”-3.75” for most cool-season grasses.  Want to check the specifics for your particular grass type?  Just consult the chart from TurfCare Supply to the left:

TIP:  No one wants to take a tape measure out every time they go to mow the lawn.  Here’s a tip for setting your lawnmower height: Set the height of your blade and leave it there.  Mark the wheel of your lawnmower with a line for your minimum pre-cutting. Then draw an arrow to it so you can tell which way is “up” when the wheels rotate. When the grass grows tall enough to meet the line, it’s time to cut.

BUT I LIKE TO WORK IN THE YARD!  WHAT SHOULD I DO WHILE I WAIT?

Good question!  Here are some pre-mowing spring lawn care ideas:

  • Sharpen your lawnmower blades.  Dull blades can cause tearing on your grass instead of cutting it cleanly, and those tears will leave your grass vulnerable to disease.  In fact, while you’re at it, give your whole mower a good once-over.  Check out our tips for proper lawn mower maintenance.
  • Dethatch your lawn.  Dethatching breaks up dead grass to help oxygen and water get down to the roots of the grass where it’s desperately needed.  Not sure if your lawn needs dethatching?  You can contact EnJay Property Maintenance; we’ll have a technician stop out and help evaluate your lawn’s needs.
  • Complete a general yard spring cleanup.  Remove leaves and debris that can cause disease to settle in on the grass.  Consider trimming trees and hedges, and contemplate whether a new firepit or paver patio would be a good choice for you.  Early spring is the ideal time to request a quote on landscaping services for the season.  (We’ll do the spring clean-up for you too!)

If you’re not quite ready for mowing when your lawn is, give us a call or send us a request for a quote.  You can also learn more about our lawn care service offerings here.  EnJay’s team of experienced professionals will have your lawn looking trimmed and tidy in no time.

(952)206-5296 (LAWN)

 

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