when to cut new grass seed uk

Mowing. Ideally use a cylinder-bladed mower. In the UK, most lawns experience their highest growth rates during the hot, but relatively damp months of May and June. During this period, mowing might be as frequent as once a week. To cut down on weeds further, your best bet is keeping your . Cutting New Grass. New grass that has been grown from seed will be much weaker that the rest of your lawn and can be easily damaged if cut incorrectly. Grass Clippings: When should you stop mowing your lawn? Two or three days later, cut the grass down by about one-third of its length. Apply a … It may take two months or more before your seeded grass reaches the appropriate heights for the first mowing. When you are able to cut for the first time, you will want to make sure you follow good cutting techniques and mow high. In the first six months, tend to any weeds by hand and avoid using grass feed or weed product. grass filled in. Generally, allow the newly seeded grass to grow to the maximum growing height recommended for its species. New lawns can be started from seed in spring, and bare-patches over-sown with seed to help them fill out. Always water with a fine spray; to great a force of water will displace the seeds. The team at Turfonline offer advice on choosing and sowin g grass seed, and guidance around how long it takes for grass seed to grow. The mowing day should be mild and dry. Carefully rake up the clippings. Seeded lawns require the longest time period between planting your grass and mowing. Treat grassland as a crop - remove grass grown since last grazing and prevent post-grazing height increasing over the season Use a Sward Stick to monitor height. If a lawn is to be mowed in winter, it's important to make sure that it happens under the right conditions. The other advantage of grass seed is that of slow growth where the seeds will take a while to grow into the kind of lawn you desire. Never remove more than a third of the grass leaf at a time. Joshua Duvauchelle is a certified personal trainer and health journalist, relationships expert and gardening specialist. However, some may find that even the reduced growth of the winter season can still leave a lawn looking scruffy. This schedule may be kept through the summer if it is wet, or even into September. This is the quickest way to get new grass, but you can also sow grass seeds anytime from late summer to mid-autumn. When giving the grass its first cut, set your mower blades to a height that's slightly higher -- 6.5 mm (1/4 inch) -- than the maximum mowing height for its species. This is the perfect time to start reducing the height of your lawn mower if you like a shorter cut. As the grass continues to grow, it will stifle weed growth. Avoid giving your lawn its first trim until the top layer of soil has dried out from rain or watering. This is simply because if the grass has been able to reach this height, it is viable and growing well, and can therefore be cut. Find out why sow a lawn from seed, how to Seed a Lawn correctly including types of grass seed, lawn seed for shade and drought and fast growing grass seed, how to prepare the ground and support the germination process, what items and products you will need to sow a new lawn, how to correctly mow your lawn … The new grass will not be well-established with deep roots for about eight weeks, so mow your lawn carefully the first few times. This helps minimise the stress of that first trim. At this time, lower your mower blades and bring the grass down to its actual recommended mowing height. Otherwise, the pressure of the lawnmower's weight will compact the underlying moist dirt and crush the developing roots. The seed package will give you important information about germination rate. However, winter weather conditions can vary greatly. For example, let tall grasses grow to 10 cm (4 inches) before trimming and allow shorter varieties to grow to 5 cm (2 inches). This will stop it growing too long and keep clippings to a minimum. Frost can make grass brittle. If sowing in autumn, the seed will germinate quickly as the ground is warm and moist. Our grass seed is blended in the UK from seed sourced throughout Europe. Depending on the grass variety, the germination rate is normally between 80% and 90%. As a result, it may sometimes be necessary to cut grass in winter. The grass should be at least three inches tall before the first mow. 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. This should take about 8 weeks, so be patient! Generally, allow the newly seeded grass to grow to the maximum growing height recommended for its species. Walking on soft ground can cause lasting damage to the grass. The best time to sow the new seeds is in September, as they will germinate quickly and establish before the cold weather sets in. Cut carefully. Should I mow the lawn after applying weed killer? September temperatures are still ideal for germination, hitting heights of 8-10 degrees and above. New grass is more tender, flexible and finer than more established grass. Being able to do your seeding in wetter spring or autumn months helps but if you can supply the water or the polythene then summer seeding can be extremely successful. Prepare the soil well by digging over, removing weeds and raking level. New grass is prone to drying in the first six months. Walking on soft ground can cause lasting damage to the grass. Areas that you have recently sown with new grass seed, need to be kept moist at all times, this will help the seed to germinate and establish a strong root system. In the growing season between spring and early autumn, the lawn will be growing strongly and should be cut every week or even twice a week if possible. Dr James Holloway has been writing about games, geek culture and whisky since 1995. When the new grass is about 7.5cm high cut off the top ⅓ with a sharp mower blade. However, some may find that even the reduced growth of the winter season can still leave a lawn looking scruffy. When is the last time to cut grass before winter? When the air temperature drops below 5 degrees, grass will stop growing. If you've let your newly seeded grass grow exceptionally tall, keep in mind that grass should never have more than a third of its total length removed in a single cutting. When it comes to cutting this young grass for the first time, ensure your mower blades are sharp so it cuts the grass, as blunt blades will smash into the grass, possibly tearing it out of the ground. Deciding on whether and when to cut grass depends on a number of factors. Copyright 2020 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Buy online today from the true grass seed experts. Maintain cover above 1800kg DM/ha in early spring and between 2000-2400kg DM/ha for the season to maximise grass growth rates Germination may be slightly slower in spring. The last regular mowing of the year usually takes place in November. Grass seed is the cheapest way to create a new lawn. Before laying a new lawn, take some time to think about the part it will play in your overall garden layout. We recommend that the ideal height of your grass should be around 5 – 7cm before you cut it, and this goes for all of our grass seed mixtures. The conventional wisdom that grass shouldn't be cut during winter comes down to the fact that British winter weather usually keeps grass growth to a minimum. If a lawn is to be mowed in winter, it's important to make sure that it happens under the right conditions. The trick to mowing in winter, then, is to choose a day with the right conditions. The Best Weed Killer for Creeping Charlie, Royal Horticultural Society: Lawns from seed. Depending on the seed used and the temperature you should start to see some green shoots within 10 to 14 days. You always want to cut grass with clean, sharp mower blades but this is particularly important when mowing new grass or lawn. At this time, lower your mower blades and bring the grass down to its actual recommended mowing height. When planting a new lawn, timing is one of the most critical elements of both seeding and aftercare. You must bear in mind that seeds can be destroyed by invaders like animals and birds. Autumn (generally September) is ideal If you can’t wait until September, do it in the spring (April/May is generally best) but keep an eye out for weeds However, all this advice is predicated on the weather. The last thing you want to do is jeopardise your lawn project when you're so close to the finish line. Pay close attention to your grass over the first few months of growth. When you should sow grass seed You can sow Lawn UK lawn seed mixtures at any time from late March to mid-October providing that in periods of unusually dry weather the seedbed is kept constantly moist until the grass is about 6cm (2.5 inches) high. After this second mowing, start a regular mowing schedule that allows the grass to reach its maximum growing height before being cut down to its recommended mowing height. Grass seed germinates readily in the spring, so this is the ideal time to fix any bare patches that have appeared and make sure your lawn is a solid block of perfect green. Cutting new grass poses its own challenges. The 8 stages in creating a new lawn from grass seed. Copyright 2020 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Typically, however, mowing frequency falls in late summer and then rises again in September. The best time to plant grass seed is when the weather is doing what you want it to. It’s important to reduce the height of long grass gradually. Because grass grows more slowly in winter, the height of the cut should be higher than a summer or spring cut; the goal is only to cut away the tops of the blades, creating a neat, even appearance, rather than to cut back growth. For example, a first mowing should reduce the grass to just above the recommended height. The frequency of mowing depends on the weather. How to Seed a Lawn – How to Plant Seed and Grow a Lush and Thick Lawn From Scratch. His articles and advice have appeared in dozens of magazines, including exercise workouts in Shape, relationship guides for Alive and lifestyle tips for Lifehacker. For best results, lawn seed should be sown in spring (from March to May) or early autumn (September to mid October), when the soil is moist and warm. It’s a good idea to sow grass seed just after rain or before light rain is due, so the seed will germinate quickly. The conventional wisdom that grass shouldn't be cut during winter comes down to the fact that British winter weather usually keeps grass growth to a minimum. A graduate of Cambridge University, Holloway runs the blog Gonzo History Gaming. The last regular mowing of the year usually takes place in November. It is weed free, certified under DEFRA's seed certification rules and guaranteed fresh. This can vary widely depending on the species. Cutting the grass will encourage it to send out more shoots to thicken up the sward. Before mowing, remove the front roller on cylinder mowers to prevent flattening the grass. Patches can be caused by a number of reasons. These lawn seed mixtures are suitable for new lawns, repairs and over seeding for shady and dry lawns, play and ornamental lawns, front and back lawns and everything in between. The frequency of mowing depends on the weather. When the new lawn is 5cm (2in) high, cut with a rotary mower to 2.5cm (1in). When giving the grass its first cut, set your mower blades to a height that's slightly higher -- 6.5 mm (1/4 inch) -- than the maximum mowing height for its species. Your newly seeded lawn reacts more sensitively to environmental factors, especially when it undergoes the stress of its first mowing. After this second mowing, start a regular mowing schedule that allows the grass to reach its maximum growing height before being cut down to its recommended mowing height. Don’t let it dry out, and make sure that you don’t cut the grass too short, or you’ll open up room for weeds to grow. Top up soil nutrient levels to encourage strong root growth When you sow grass seeds, don’t expect for all the grass seeds to germinate. GrassSeeds.com supply grass seed for next day delivery across the UK, including for lawns, gardens, sports pitches, and agriculture. See my guide to learn how to cut long grass. It takes about six weeks for the seeds to grow into a full lawn that you can cut. Pressure on a frosted grass blade will break off its tip, causing unsightly patches your lawn. Lawn mowers can struggle to cut long grass. When the air temperature drops below 5 degrees, grass will stop growing. Ensure the blades are really sharp. In his spare time, he enjoys yoga and urban patio gardening. By combing grass seeds with fertilizer and soil enricher, you have everything you need to successfully grow a brand-new lawn or cover up an existing one. Wait three or four days, then give the new grass its follow-up mowing. Clear the area of vegetation and debris; Dig or rotovate the soil to a depth of at least 15cm. Conventional wisdom has it that grass should not be mowed during winter because of the reduced rate of growth. Once you've passed the hurdles of soil preparation, sowing the lawn seed and ensuring even and continuous watering, make sure you mow the grass at the appropriate times to enhance lawn establishment. Winter brings a number of new threats to grass. Wait three or four days, then give the new grass its follow-up mowing. It may take two months or more before your seeded grass reaches the appropriate heights for the first mowing. Depending on the variety of grass seed you use, it can take as little as five to as long as 30 days for the grass to germinate. Because you must wait for seeds to germinate, you cannot cut the grass until two months have passed. Wet weather can also lead to muddy ground. The seeds are coated with fertiliser that means they germinate much quicker and become better established, while also saving the hassle of needing to feed your lawn with a separate fertilizer as the grass grows. Also, cut the grass when it’s dry as cutting wet grass is never recommended. 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. A former editor of "Archaeological Review from Cambridge," he has also written for Fortean Times, Fantasy Flight Games and The Unspeakable Oath. Try and avoid cutting new grass until it is at least 3 inches or more in length, and mow less frequently possible than the rest of your lawn. In addition, and in typical UK fashion, there is also usually some rain forecast to keep your soil and new seeds moist – so there is less need to have the hose out, or the sprinkler on stand-by! 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