Gardeners given exact time to mow grass in spring as lawnmower warning issued

With early mornings no longer shrouded in darkness, nature is slowly but surely waking up to spring. However, because March remains unpredictable and temperatures can vary from day to day, gardeners face the perplexing question of when to do the first mow. Gardening experts caution that mowing too soon - especially when the ground is still wet or frost is forecast - can do more harm than good. Therefore, the first and most important rule is to wait until temperatures are consistently above 5C.

Simon Wilkinson, an award-winning horticulturist, told Country Living keen gardeners should "wait it out".

He said: "Grass grows according to the temperature. It will start growing once the weather is above 5C, so if you're confident that there are no more frosts on the way, you can pull out the mower and get to work. I would err on the side of caution and wait it out, the last thing you want is to damage your grass early on in the year and put up with a damaged lawn for the peak weather when you want to be outside and enjoy your garden. I generally advise waiting until March when temperatures are consistently above 5C."

He continued: "Mowing in the frost is absolutely the worst thing you can do for grass - it can cause patchiness and bald spots on your lawn, which will take a long time to fill in and recover. The empty patches also give a home for weeds, especially those with air-carried seeds like dandelions, to take hold."

With the current weather forecasts, it seems like the end of March is a safe bet. However, research has shown that the first two weeks in April are the most popular time to dig the lawnmower out for the first grass cut of the year, Country Living reported.

Before starting, however, it is important to prepare your mower first. Before use, if you have a petrol mower, check that old fuel is emptied and replaced, and consider servicing the machine. For electric mowers, sharpen or even replace the blades. If you have a battery-powered mower, the best practice is to store the batteries indoors over winter to preserve their charge.

Lastly, don't forget to set the right mowing height.

Wilkinson said: "For the first cut, set your mower to its highest setting and trim no more than one-third of the grass's height. After your first cut, you can gradually reduce the height over the next few weeks."

He added: "For my first mow, I always take my time to line up the mower and mow in alternative directions to get those lovely classic lawn stripes in, then go around the edge. If you do this, it'll set up for the year ahead, and you will have a beautiful lawn fit for a country mansion."