If you’ve recently seeded a new lawn and it’s beginning to grow, you might be wondering when to mow new grass for the first time. Cutting too early can stunt growth, while leaving it too late can make mowing more difficult. Fortunately, there are clear signs to help you decide the right time. In this guide, we explain when to mow new grass to keep your lawn healthy, strong, and easy to maintain.

Mowing your grass for the first time

The best time to start growing and mowing new grass is during the spring or summer, when conditions support healthy growth. Wait until your grass reaches a height of 5–8 cm before mowing, as this allows the plants to develop strong shoots that help thicken the lawn. Always use sharp mower blades to avoid damaging the grass and exposing it to disease. For the first cut, remove no more than 20% of the grass height to preserve the leaf surface, which is essential for photosynthesis and continued growth. After mowing, clear away clippings and allow the grass to settle for a week or two before cutting again. From then on, aim to mow weekly, keeping the grass no shorter than 3 cm.

What to consider when mowing new grass

Here are some points to consider whenever you mow new grass:

• Wait until the grass is between 5-8 cm before cutting.
• Make sure the blades of your mower are sharp before mowing.
• Do not mow in very hot weather, or when the grass is saturated or frozen.
• Only take off up to 20% of the grass’s total height to keep your grass healthy.
• Once complete, clean your mower to avoid any contamination from occurring.
• Remove all cuttings from the lawn and add them to your compost heap.
• Let the grass settle for at least a week after the initial cut before mowing again.
• Once settled, mow weekly, keeping the grass no shorter than 3 cm.
• To avoid grass growing in only one direction, change the direction you mow with every new cut.

Grass Seed Online

At Grass Seed Online, we offer a wide variety of grass seed products for landscaping projects, including Hardwearing Grass Seed for family lawns, Traditional Greens for golf and bowling greens, and Fast Grow mixes for year-round rapid growth.

Take a look at our seed for lawns and landscaping projects to find the best product for your lawn.