Should You Cut Your Grass Low in Spring? The Pros and Cons

Spring is here and your lawn is starting to come back to life after the long winter. As you get ready to mow your grass for the first time this season you may be wondering – should I cut my grass low or high for the first spring mowing?

There are good arguments on both sides of this debate. Cutting your lawn low in spring does provide some benefits, but taking it too far can also damage your grass. In this article, we’ll go over the pros and cons of cutting grass low in spring so you can make an informed decision for your own lawn care.

The Potential Benefits of Cutting Grass Low in Spring

Here are some of the main upsides that proponents of cutting grass low early in spring point to

• Removes Dead Material: Cutting your lawn low can get rid of the dead and matted grass from winter. This allows sunlight to reach the soil surface which helps warm it up and stimulates new growth.

• Speeds Up Green-Up: For cool season grasses like fescue, ryegrass and bluegrass, cutting low may help accelerate spring green-up by removing old growth and allowing new blades to emerge.

• Clean Cuts: Mowing low provides a fresh cut on the new grass rather than cutting into last year’s growth. This can create a more even appearance.

• Lowers the risk of getting diseases: cutting the grass short gets rid of thatch and dead plants that could harbor diseases in the lawn before the new growth comes up.

• Warms Soil: When grass is cut short, more sunlight reaches the soil’s surface. This lets it warm up faster, which starts spring growth.

• Prevents Matting Old growth that isn’t removed can mat down new spring grass rather than allowing it to stand upright.

The Potential Downsides of Cutting Grass Too Low

Though, there are some things you should think about if you decide to mow your lawn too high in the spring:

• Scalping: Cutting below 1-1. 5 inches can damage the crown of the grass and make it thinner.

• Growth Shock: Taking too much off can shock the grass plants’ system as they are coming out of dormancy.

• Weed Growth: Low mowing opens up bare spots that are prime real estate for weeds to germinate and get established.

• Moisture Loss: With less leaf material, the soil surface dries out faster which stresses grass roots.

• Erosion: Closely mowed lawns are more susceptible to erosion from wind, rainfall, and foot traffic.

• Root Damage: Overly short mowing in early spring can stress roots leading to summer issues.

• Nutrient Loss: Cutting too low removes organic matter and beneficial nutrients.

So in other words, you don’t want to scalp or completely stress the grass. Moderation is important when deciding how low to cut cool and warm season turfgrasses in early spring.

Best Spring Lawn Mowing Heights by Grass Type

The ideal spring mowing height can vary depending on factors like your specific grass variety and local climate. Here are some general recommendations:

• Cool Season Grasses: For lawns with tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, or fine fescues aim for a height around 2.5-3 inches for the first spring mowing.

• Warm Season Grasses: Bermuda, zoysia, centipede, and other warm season grasses should be cut slightly lower, between 1-2 inches, for the first spring mowing.

• Avoid Scalping: No matter your grass type, avoid mowing below 1-1.5 inches in early spring to prevent scalping damage.

• Gradually Lower: You can gradually work down to your normal summer mowing height over 2-3 spring mowings, removing no more than 1/3 of blade at once.

• Watch Green-Up: Time that first spring mowing for when green-up occurs in your area, which varies by location and grass type.

The takeaway is to mow a little higher than your summer height for the first 1-2 spring cuts. This prevents scalping, eases the grass into the season, and sets your lawn up for success.

7 Tips for Spring Lawn Mowing

Here are some other quick best practices to keep in mind for mowing your lawn in early spring:

1. Use sharp mower blades to prevent tearing grass blades.

2. Mow when the grass is dry to avoid tracking and rutting.

3. Adjust your mowing frequency for rapid spring growth.

4. Avoid removing more than 1/3 of the grass blade per mowing.

5. Let the lawn fully green up before that very first cut.

6. Raise cutting height back to normal once spring green-up is complete.

7. Time it right based on your local climate and grass variety.

Following these tips will ensure your lawn gets off to a great start in spring while preventing damage from overly-aggressive mowing.

The Bottom Line

Mowing your grass slightly lower than normal for the first spring cut can provide some benefits in terms of removing dead material, allowing sunlight to reach the soil, and accelerating green-up. But taking it too far by scalping or severely shocking the grass can also set your lawn back.

Aim to mow approximately 0.5-1 inch lower than your normal height for the first 1-2 spring mowings, gradually working back to your desired summer height. This balanced approach minimizes risks while providing a bit of rejuvenation heading into spring.

Pay close attention to how your specific lawn responds and adjust spring mowing practices accordingly. With the right approach, your grass will be kicking off spring green and healthy.