When to Mow New Grass

Homeowners everywhere know that achieving a pristine lawn takes time, effort, and dedication. That said, not everybody knows the intricacies of this task, like how long to wait after planting grass to mow.

HOW LONG SHOULD I WAIT BEFORE MOWING NEW GRASS?

Before starting up your lawn mower for the first time of the season, operators should make sure the grass is dry to the touch and stands at least 3-4 inches tall. For newly planted grass, this can take about 8 weeks, so patience is key!

WHAT TO CONSIDER BEFORE MOWING NEW GRASS?

In addition to waiting for newly planted grass to grow before mowing, homeowners should take the following factors into consideration to get their lawn exactly where they want it to be.

Test the pH Level

Test the pH level of the soil to make sure grass and other plants have the right foundation for growth.

Consider Dethatching

Consider dethatching if there is a high level of decomposed plant material underneath the grass - too much of it can bring about insects and diseases that can negatively impact the health of the lawn.

Use an Aerator

Use an aerator to create holes in the ground for water, oxygen, and other nutrients, such as fertilizer, to reach the soil.

Don’t Mow the Lawn Too Short

Avoid mowing the lawn too short - no more than ⅓-inch of the grass length should be cut. While mowing lower than normal at the start of the season is okay, it is recommended that the mower deck be raised back to normal after the first couple of rounds to discourage crabgrass and encourage deep rooting.

Keep Grass Clippings

Don’t throw away grass clippings after mowing the lawn! By leaving the clippings that have been scattered throughout their yard, homeowners can enjoy a natural fertilizer that breaks down in less than two weeks.

HOW TO MOW NEWLY PLANTED GRASS

When mowing newly planted grass, it's important not to cut it too short — this is a common mistake for many land owners. Cutting the grass too short limits the amount of sunlight and air that the grass receives, which can stunt its growth and weaken the roots of the grass. Newly planted grass should not be cut more than ⅓ of the grass height in a single mowing session.

HOW LONG SHOULD I WAIT AFTER PLANTING GRASS TO MOW MY LAWN?

Best practice is to wait 4 to 6 weeks after planting new grass to mow your lawn. This is considering that there has been optimum conditions for growing and the grass has had time to reach at least one-third higher than the normal mowing height.

WHEN SHOULD I WATER NEWLY PLANTED GRASS?

Newly planted grass should be watered early in the morning and in the late afternoon. Doing so will allow the water to seep into the soil before evaporating from the heat. Avoid watering newly planted grass in the middle of the day, to be sure enough water reaches the grass, or late at night, as water sitting on the grass can cause mold growth.

HOW TO CONTROL WEEDS IN NEWLY SEEDED GRASS

If your lawn starts to grow weeds after seeding grass, stay calm! Before reaching for a weed or moss killer product, simply remove the weeds by hand. The newly grown weeds have shallow rooting, making them easy to pull out by hand. You can also choose to leave the weeds and mow them out once they’ve had about 6 to 8 weeks to grow.

SHOULD I AVOID WALKING ON NEWLY PLANTED GRASS?

Simply put, yes! Newly planted grass and fresh grass seeds can be easily injured. Try to avoid high traffic on newly seeded areas for at least a month after the grass seed has germinated or at least until the lawn has been mowed a few times.

WHICH LAWN MOWER SHOULD YOU USE ON NEWLY PLANTED GRASS?

So you’ve planted new grass and now you’re looking for a quality lawn mower to maintain your lawn? John Deere has a variety of lawn mowers that are sure to suit your lawn care needs, no matter the size of the landscape.

For more information regarding John Deere lawn care equipment, contact your local John Deere dealer.

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