Starting Spring With Proper Mowing
Fabulous Fall Mowing: Our First Ever Blog

Starting Spring on the right foot with a thorough inspection

Once Spring is here, many homeowners can’t wait to get outside and begin work on their landscapes. However, it’s crucial for your lawn’s health first to inspect it for damage and some other essential steps to take before you give the grass its first trim of the season!

How tall has the grass grown over the winter?

During the winter, your grass and other flora are much more susceptible to damage and disease – this is when it’s typically at its weakest. So when Spring first arrives, it’s essential to allow them a chance to start developing strong, healthy roots.

It’s best to wait until the grass is at least 2 inches in height before attempting your first mow of the season. At this point, it’s best to stick with the 1/3 rule so it doesn’t begin to wither before it’s had a chance to really grow.

Did you fertilize your landscape, and how recently?

Fertilization is a fantastic way to encourage better growth from your lawn and replenish the soil with nutrients it may be lacking. Depending on the area you live in, many folks do some fertilization in the fall.

However, if you are like most homeowners and wish to fertilize during the Spring, do it early to allow those treatments to soak in before cutting the grass! Then, you can begin a routine maintenance schedule – or wait until late Spring to use fertilization methods.

Are you going to overseed your lawn this year?

If you notice your grass is beginning to thin or isn’t as lush as it used to be, consider having an overseeding treatment done. This decision must be made immediately, as this procedure is done before fertilizing.

Determining your lawn’s needs will help create a plan of action in the best order for its longevity. The order is typically overseeding, fertilizing, then mowing – so if your lawn is almost ready to mow, it’s time to get started on the others now!

What area do you live in?Longer green grass on lawn in front of home in Henrico, VA

Where you live can make a huge difference in landscaping and creating a routine maintenance plan. Here in Virginia, we have to deal with freezing conditions every winter – which means the freezing and thawing of our landscapes.

These changes can be hard on your grass and cause dehydration, so cutting it while it’s still recovering can be detrimental. If freezing is still possible in your area, plan to mow the grass longer than usual or wait as long as possible.

Timing your mowing schedule in a way that works

Don’t start mowing the second it starts to warm up

The temperatures may be rising, but that doesn’t mean your grass is ready for the shock of mowing yet. Mowing too soon exposes too much of the soil and allows water and sunlight to reach weed seeds you don’t want to grow on your lawn.

Most of the time, the mowing season actually begins mid-to-late March to prevent damaging the grass. Wait a while longer to see what the temperatures do, how fast your grass grows, and how much damage there seems to be to your lawn.

Clear your lawn before you begin work on anything elseBefore and after of initial cleanup of fallen leaves on lawn in Henrico, VA

Common sense dictates that you should wait to start mowing your lawn until everything is cleared away and it’s been appropriately cleaned of all debris. Most debris this time of year consists of leaves, thatch, and shrub trimmings that fell to the ground.

Lawn furniture or children’s toys not only provide an obstacle course to mow around that produces an uneven cut. Before you begin work on your landscape, a light cleaning should be done to make the job easier for everyone.

Mow your lawn at consistent, evenly-spaced intervals

As we said before, this time of year is often uncertain, and you cannot always be sure what the temperature will do. Once you begin your mowing routine, you cannot just stop and start again whenever – this could shock your grass.

When the true mowing season begins, it’s common practice to mow about every two weeks. They should be sufficient to keep the grass at a manageable length; then, as it grows greener and quicker, you can mow weekly.

What can Mitchell’s do for you and your landscape?

Who knew mowing your lawn and the beginning of the spring season would be so complicated? Being landscape professionals, we did – and we want to pass that knowledge on to you. Our team can handle all your preparation and mowing needs, so your lawn is ready for anything!