When should you mow the lawn for the first time in spring?

Which signs show that it is time to mow

Look at the grass and the ground rather than the calendar. The most important signals are that the grass has grown green and dense, that the ground is dry enough to bear weight without compacting, and that the night frosts have eased.

• The grass is at least 7–8 cm tall
• The soil feels firm but not hard with ground frost
• No night frosts left in the weather forecast
• The grass is green with visible growth
• The ground is dry, not wet or waterlogged

Why you should wait before the first mowing

If you mow too early, while the ground is still wet from snowmelt, the soil is compressed and the grass roots struggle to breathe. This can lead to poor grass growth for the whole season.

In the Stockholm area the snowmelt is often over by late March or early April, but the ground needs a few more weeks to dry out properly before it can take machines.

• Wet soil compacts and damages the root system
• Mower decks can leave tracks and dents in soft ground
• Mowing too early stresses the grass before it has recovered from winter
• Ideally wait until the grass itself shows clear growth

How high should you cut the first time

The first mowing should be gentle. Cut off only a third of the blade length, that is from about 7–8 cm down to 5 cm. Cutting too short at an early stage stresses the grass and makes it more vulnerable to fungal attack such as snow mould, which is common in Stockholm after a snowy winter.

• Cut at most a third of the blade length at a time
• Aim for a cutting height of 5 cm at the first mowing
• Use sharp blades for a clean cut
• Mow in dry weather, never in rain or dew

What should you do before the first mowing

Before you start the lawnmower it is a good idea to prepare the lawn so that the first mowing is gentle and effective.

• Rake off leaves, twigs and winter debris
• Check that no molehills or uneven patches remain
• Inspect the mower blades and sharpen if needed
• Hold off on fertilising until after the first or second mowing
• Avoid walking or driving on the lawn if it is still soft

How Service Plus helps with the first mowing of spring

Service Plus Stockholm AB assesses each lawn individually based on its position, soil type and the weather, because the right moment can differ between a house garden in Nacka and a shady courtyard in the inner city. Mulle, our lawn mowing specialist, makes sure the lawn is mown at the right time and at the right height so that it starts the season strong.

The labour cost for lawn mowing qualifies for a RUT deduction (the Swedish tax deduction for household services) of up to 50%, which makes it easy to let Service Plus handle both the critical first mowing and the ongoing care through the season.