Hi! Mowing too early can cause widespread death. I have developed enough interest regarding plants that these things do not bore me anymore; instead this has become my passion. A newly established lawn requires a different kind of fertilizer than mature lawns. Laying a lawn from turf is a quick way to get an instant result. Cut again in 4-5 days time, this time you can drop the mower blades a little. Depending on the grass variety, the germination rate is normally between 80% and 90%. 3. Writing professionally since 2010, Amy Rodriguez cultivates successful cacti, succulents, bulbs, carnivorous plants and orchids at home. As the new seeds germinate and grow, follow the same timing and height observances to incorporate their cutting into your normal mowing pattern. Your mower needs to have sharp blades cutting across dry grass so that the turf is not torn or ripped as it is cut low. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Do this gradually to avoid scalping. If you don’t have a tool for sharpening your mower, most hardware stores can do it for you. The … Your new lawn can face many problems. Stay off the turf for 2 weeks, or longer if its laid on a steep gradient. The height of the new grass is a good determining factor when it is ready to mow for the first time or not. If you see the grass blades already long, your inner instinct will dictate it is time to mow. According to The Garden Counselor, grass seed germination will keep you in suspense. When the lawn is fully established, the height of cut can be reduced gradually to an optimum height of between 15mm and 35mm. New grass is flimsy and needs to be treated rightly. We also have a comment section below where you could share your thoughts concerning mowing new grass. Mowing. New grass is tender, vulnerable and in need of special care to turn into a beautiful, healthy lawn. New Turf Cutter: Door and People Toggle New Turf Cutter places a toggle option for 'Doors, People and Both' so it's crystal clear how large you're constructing each Turf. So for people with children or pets, it is often a good option, as you can be back on the lawn within a couple of days of laying. Do NOT walk on the turf after you have watered it. Doing this will return the nutrients to the soil. This should take about 8 weeks, so be patient! This can cause large areas of dead, dried turf. Be sure to use a sharp blade. Knowing these things will help you understand the right timing for mowing. Our guide above should help you identify when it is time to mow your grass and not. Copyright text 2019 by Grow Your Way - www.TinyPlantation.com. We go to great lengths to help users better; however, the content on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. Mowing too early can cause widespread death. eval(ez_write_tag([[580,400],'tinyplantation_com-box-3','ezslot_4',105,'0','0']));Mowing the grass is a straightforward process. Being a devotee with plants and gardens, you will find numerous things with me. However, it is a different case when the grass is new. 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Red thread diseases are now detected in the grass seed itself, and fusarium attacks most new … For example, if you mow too soon, the mower's wheels and blades simply pull grass sprouts out of the ground, rather than simply cutting them. There are several things you need to remember when mowing for an excellent result. Since the roots will anchor the grass into place, mowing too early may not only cause potential death to the grass but it could also rip new growth that is just starting to sprout. The seed package will give you important information about germination rate. When you are able to cut for the first time, you will want to make sure you … New turf must be firmly rooted before you can start mowing. Use the mower on a high setting to start and then mow again a few days later to reduce the height. If the grass is still very low on the ground, the mower will pull the seedlings out of the ground instead of cutting them. Also, grass seeds need the right combination of moisture, warm soil, oxygen and light for better germination. Having a nice-looking lawn can greatly improve the aesthetics of your home. However, before you get there, it could take a lot of time and effort from grass seed planting to mowing and doing regular maintenance. The most crucial aspect in the first month is to water your lawn well so it can establish and remain healthy. Mowing is one of the most important maintenance tasks that can greatly affect the health of your grass. Mowing stimulates growth and increases thickness. Dull blades tear grass, and baby grass is especially susceptible to damage this way. Mowing: Start mowing your lawn after 2 weeks of laying. Most types of grass mature between 30 and 60 days. If you mow too early, the grass may die and new growths will be disrupted. Try to leave behind grass clipping as long as they are evenly distributed and not clumping. As you pass the mower across the lawn, use slow turns so that your wheels do not accidentally pinch the turf and pull it away from the soil. You should mow your new lawn as soon as the roots have taken hold. Transfer this information to the turf and cut out the needed shapes and sizes. This is more important for seed than for turf because you have some really young, vulnerable plants that need to be nurtured if they’re going to grow into a lush lawn. You have just laid your fresh new lawn, now its time to look after it! Another way to determine mowing times is through grass height. Would personally give it a few more days before mowing. Not only that, wet grass can also clump in the mower, resulting to fallout in clumps rather than for the cut grass to be evenly dispersed. Time It Right. That is why you need to let the grass grow at an ideal height before cutting so that its roots will gain age and strength. Don’t walk on your new turf until it has been properly rooted into the soil, this could take a several weeks. Follow the 1/3 rule in mowing. However, you must be careful around the fragile sprouts as they begin to establish themselves in the soil. This is Ella Wilson, the founder of tinyplantation.com. When using a mower to cut grass, it will produce a lot of compaction. If you let your lawn get much higher than normal, raise up the height of cut. Grass height is directly related to the root system. And because lawn mowers simultaneously compact the soil, it will become difficult for the young grass that have been pulled to put down their roots back to the soil. Try to cut no more than 1/3 of the grass at a time. Small grass sprouts slowly inching across your yard means that you successfully seeded and germinated your own turf - this exciting process eventually leads to a lush lawn that cools the surrounding air on summer days. Water it well and keep watering every few days so it establishes well. When to Cut New Grass. For more information, please read our privacy policy. But this is not yet the right time. The water will not spread. The first cut should be made after the turf has rooted, but before it gets too long - usually about 3 weeks. The mower also compacts the soil at the same time, which contributes to poor root spread as the seedlings struggle to gain purchase in the ground. If you see the grass blades already long, your inner instinct will dictate it is time to mow. It will also help retain moisture. Prepare the ground by removing weeds and raking it level, then lay the turf so it overlaps slightly. Let the grass grow to a height of 5-6cm before the first mowing and then for the first cut, set your mower's cutting height so that it reduces the height of your new grass to 3-4cm. As a rule, you should sharpen your blade after every 20 hours of work. Turf grown on turf farms has had its roots cut when it was lifted, and so watering the grass is essential when it comes to growing new roots. The first mow happens when the lawn reaches about 6cm in height, do not let it grow higher than this before the first mowing. Subsequent mowings, while the turf is still establishing, should not be done below 4cm. It can take up to four weeks for turf to become established and this is the most important time in which it needs to be nurtured. You always want to cut grass with clean, sharp mower blades but this is particularly important when mowing new grass or lawn. For new grass you want to be sure the grass has reached at least 3 ½ inches in height, if not more, before cutting for the first time. If the grass is allowed to grow longer, there is a possibility of the finer grasses dying due to lack of light. Every time you mow, you remove some of the nutrients so make sure that you give your new lawn a fighting chance by feeding it with a fertiliser only (no weed or moss killer) lawn … Fungal diseases are prone to attacking new lawns. Even if you have kept on top of your lawn mowing, and watered it in properly, there are still problems that are unavoidable. When you mow your newly sodded lawn, significant portions of the grass leaves that facilitate photosynthesis are cut off, forcing the plant to regrow the leaves while also sprouting more shoots. They will initially appear sparse. Mowing your newly seeded grass requires observation of your seedlings so that you do not damage them by cutting the blades too soon. If you cut the grass too soon, they can’t firmly establish their roots on the soil and this will ultimately cause the grass to die. Below is how to cut artificial turf: What you'll need to… Whether it is a winding path or an existing new or old border, installing artificial grass can be custom cut to fit any yard. But this is normal. When Is the Best Time of Year to Cut Your Yard Really Low? Within 4 weeks following laying the new lawn and then every two to three months thereafter. Sprouts that cover the ground and grow to a 3 or 4 inch height are ready for mowing. Set the mower high at first, then gradually lower. The first cut is very important; 5 - 6 cm on the first cut is ideal. This could be after a week or take up to three weeks, depending on growing conditions. Just like any type of floor covering, artificial turf needs to be cut into shape while it's being installed. That is why it is important to know when to mow new grass so that you will not hurt their normal growth and establishment of soil system. It also tends to bend over so it can be difficult to get a clean cut. If you’re planting … The rules for a seeded lawn are similar to a turfed lawn. Longer grass is great for mowing stripes into the lawn. If you mow at the right time, you’ll get lush and healthy grass. After installation of a Sir Walter buffalo lawn, it is ready for mowing within 10-14 days. Wet grass can be slippery and mowing can result to accidents. The best thing about this rule is that you will not have to mow as often. It is good for situations where you can't keep off a lawn for the two or three weeks you need with seed. A dull blade will rip healthy lawns up to the roots and discourage new growth. You should use a hose pipe, as anything less will not give enough water. When you and your newly seeded fescue lawn are ready for that first cut, be sure to have new blades on your mower or have the old ones professionally sharpened. For more mowing tips, see our mowing guide to help look after your new lawn throughout all the seasons. Seedlings do not have the strong leaf blades that withstand compaction and cutting from a mower - allow the turf plants to gain some strength and age before cutting them. Although maintaining a moist soil structure was necessary for grass establishment, it is imperative that you allow the turf to dry for 48 hours before mowing it for the first time. Turf Laying Demonstration Video Identifying the right time when to mow new grass can be a challenge. -  Designed by Thrive Themes | Powered by WordPress, www.TinyPlantation.com is a participant in the, www.TinyPlantation.com does not intend to provide veterinary advice. 2. When to Cut New Turf. When to mow your new lawn for the first time. Otherwise, you can check whether the grass starts rooting firmly or not simply by tugging its corner edge. With an electronics degree and more than 10 years of experience, she applies her love of gadgets to the gardening world as she continues her education through college classes and gardening activities. New grass is more tender, flexible and finer than more established grass. That is why it is important to know when to mow new grass so that you will not hurt their normal growth and establishment of soil system. Generally, before you push your lawnmower on your new turf, you should wait until the grass height reaches around 3 to 4 inches and covers the ground in high density. Eventually, your grass blends together into a cohesive mixture without any sign of the past patches. Generally, once the grass reaches a height of at least 3 ½ inches, it is ready for mowing. However, it is a different case when the grass is new. For the first mow, you can let the lawn grow to the high end of the recommended range or even a little higher before cutting to give it a little more time to become established, but be sure to still only cut off one-third of the blade. Your decision can also impact the overall health of the grass. The best time to lay turf is during spring or autumn, when rain will help the new grass establish roots in time for summer sun or winter frosts. How to lay turf. If you want to keep the roots healthy and deep, you’ll have to keep the grass at the right height. This will encourage a thick and lush lawn. If you can lift it, wait a while longer. In fact, you may well end up with an uglier, more labor-intensive lawn than if you cut the lawn to a proper length from the start. If you are buying fertilizer instead of using organic fertilizer, choose fertilizers labeled as “lawn starter.” These are fertilizers that contain more nitrogen and phosphorous that your new lawn needs. Rule No 4 - Fertilise your new lawn. These new shoots translate into an increased surface area/turf density. Do trim it slightly if the weather is mild and it has started to grow, however keep the mower blades set high as if cut too short it can prevent the grass from being able to absorb and retain the moisture and nutrient it needs. Mowing can begin once the new lawn is 3″ tall in most areas. To test if the roots have taken hold, lift a corner of the turf. Mow again a few days later to cut to the recommended height. Mowing in varied directions also helps your grass remain upright and properly cut - cutting in one direction each time you mow causes the blades to lay down and compact into the soil. In addition, new seedlings are still trying to establish their roots in the soil. Remembering not to remove any more than 1/3 of the length. Instead, either kill the existing lawn (cut and bag, then spray off with herbicide), and then work the top 3" of soil to lay the turf on, or get a turf cutter and remove the existing turf, work the top layer, and lay the new turf. You can raise the height of cut if you want to. As it can support weight and isn't springy underfoot, you've done a great job of laying the turf!!! The Effects of Cutting the Lawn Too Short A lawn of dense turf grass shorn to a uniform one to two inches is a beautiful thing to behold—for a little while, anyway. Make sure you have covered every turf. How Long Does Grass Need to Grow Before You Mow? If you are seeding bare patches within your establish turf, you may mow the grown grass while avoiding the patches altogether. In general, a four-week period needs to pass after your seeds germinate before even placing the mower on the new turf. Maintaining a 2 or 3 inch height is critical; do not cut the grass lower than this range because invading weeds and heat stress invite pathogens and pests into the newly seeded lawn. The turf comes in rolls, so simply roll out enough so that you can fit the pattern pieces or measurements and then cut them. Here are some of the most important ones: 1. Depending on the time of year, you should be watering deeply every day for the first 3 weeks or until your first mow. Before knowing when to mow new grass, it is important to first understand several things about new grass such as their growth requirements, germination rate and ideal grass height. When you sow grass seeds, don’t expect for all the grass seeds to germinate. https://www.yardcaregrus.com/when-to-mow-new-grass-seed/, https://www.backyardboss.net/how-long-after-planting-grass-seed-can-i-mow/, http://blog.briggsandstratton.com/mow-new-grass/. Keep your mower blades really sharp. Make sure you wait for the right time of year to plant new grass seed. It may be growing quick on the surface but the hidden root development is the most important factor for survival and a healthy green sward. Read more about mowing stripes into your lawn . If you do, don’t forget to share it with your friends. After a few weeks of planting, you will start to see lush blades starting to grow. Rolawn mowed your new turf at 25mm because it provides a high quality appearance. Your new lawn will probably need its first cut about 3 weeks after you laid your turf. Once the pieces are cut, simply transfer the turf to the grid. Feeding your new lawn. You can give the lawn its first cut when the grass is 7-8cm tall (3 inches). Many gardeners would agree that the best time to mow is mid-morning as it gives the grass time to recover before night time. Whether you've seeded bare spots or a whole lawn, hold off on mowing the area until the new grass has reached mowing height. To test if it’s ready, tug on the grass. If you are seeding bare patches within your establish turf, you may mow the grown grass while avoiding the patches altogether. If the turf lifts up – wait and try again in a few days-time. Cutting only one third of the grass height away at a time, you may have to mow the grass repeatedly to bring it down to a more manageable 2- to 3 inch height. It is possible for severe dieback to occur if the grass is mown incorrectly. Optimal Germination Temperature for Fine Fescue, How to Overseed a Lawn During a Cool Season. Make sure your mower blade is nice and sharp, and cut your grass only when it's dry. Did you find this article helpful? Then, each time you mow bring it down by a third, until it is the height you … If you end up with a handful of grass clippings, then it’s OK to bring out the mower. Many people are tempted to mow their grass at this stage. Additionally, users can collapse the Legend view of already created Turfs. However, the number of assigned Doors/People should always be visible. Don’t cut it too short and do not remove more than 1/3 of … You only get one chance, but you have to wait weeks to see if you did it right. Depending on the grass type, it could take around 8 weeks to reach this height. It's really important to give your new lawn time to establish itself before you mow it for the first time. One general rule for mowing is that the shorter you want to mow the more often you need to mow to maintain healthy grass. Aside from those mentioned above, fertilizing is also essential for the healthy growth of your grass.