In the UK, you should start mowing your lawn in mid to late March when the grass begins actively growing and soil temperatures consistently reach 6-8°C. The traditional rule is to make your first cut around Easter, but this varies by region — southern England may be ready in early March, while Scotland often waits until mid-April. Always check that the grass is dry and frost-free before your first mow.

Grass in the UK starts actively growing when soil temperatures consistently reach 6-8°C (43-46°F) at a depth of 10cm. This typically occurs in mid-March across most of the UK. Air temperatures above 10°C during the day and above 5°C at night are good indicators that the growing season has begun. Use a soil thermometer for the most accurate readings.

Yes, you can usually cut your grass in March in the UK, particularly from mid-March onwards when soil temperatures reach 6-8°C. However, only mow on a dry day when there’s no frost forecast, and raise your mower blade to the highest setting for the first few cuts. In southern England, early March mowing may be possible during mild winters, while northern regions often wait until late March or early April.

For the first cut of the year in the UK, set your mower blade to the highest setting — typically 25-30mm (1-1.2 inches). This is higher than your normal summer cut of 20-25mm. The higher cut protects the grass crown from stress, encourages deeper root growth, and helps shade out early weeds. Gradually lower the blade over the next 3-4 mows as the growing season progresses.

Generally, February is too early to mow the lawn in most of the UK. Grass is typically dormant during February with soil temperatures below the 6-8°C threshold needed for growth. However, during exceptionally mild winters (particularly in southern England and coastal areas), you may see some growth. In these cases, a very high ‘tidy-up’ cut on a dry, frost-free day is acceptable, but avoid heavy cutting.

Most UK gardeners stop mowing their lawn between late October and early November when temperatures consistently drop below 5°C and grass growth slows significantly. Your final cut should be slightly higher than usual (around 40-50mm) to protect the grass over winter. Don’t resume mowing until March unless you have an unusually mild winter with active growth above 6°C.

It’s not recommended to mow wet grass in the UK. Wet grass clumps together, clogs the mower, cuts unevenly, and can spread lawn diseases. Wait until the grass is dry, ideally 2-3 hours after rain has stopped. Morning dew typically evaporates by 8-9am, making mid-morning the ideal mowing window. Mowing wet grass in early spring is particularly damaging as the ground is often soft.

In early spring (March-early April), mow your lawn every 2 weeks as growth is still moderate. From mid-April through May, increase to weekly mowing as growth accelerates. By late May and June, you may need to mow every 5-7 days during peak growth. Always follow the one-third rule — never cut more than one-third of the grass blade length in a single mowing. Adjust frequency based on weather and grass growth rate.

Yes, lightly raking your lawn before the first mow of the year is highly recommended. Use a spring-tine rake to lift the grass blades upright for a cleaner cut, remove thatch (dead grass buildup), and clear winter debris. This also helps aerate the soil surface and encourages new growth. For heavy thatch (over 1cm), consider hiring a powered scarifier for more thorough removal.

Generally, no — you should avoid mowing your lawn during winter (November to February) in the UK. Grass is dormant and can’t recover from cutting. Mowing frozen or waterlogged ground damages soil structure and harms the grass crown. The only exception is during exceptionally mild winters in southern England, where a very high ‘tidy-up’ cut on a dry, frost-free day may be acceptable. Otherwise, wait until mid-March when growth resumes.