Spring 2018 in Ohio has been anything but normal. Warm sunny skies one day and snow flurries swirling the next. It is this kind of weather influx that can leave you wondering how to best handle your lawn care. So how will you know when the time is right? Here are a few tips the lawn care specialists at Meyers Green Services recommend.

When is it Safe to Begin Mowing?

The calendar may say April, but that doesn’t mean it is time to start mowing. Just because the weather is growing warmer — and you are anxious for spring to finally arrive — doesn’t mean it is time to pull out that lawnmower and get to work. Cutting your grass too soon could create some real problems later in the season. So for now, be patient. Your lawn needs time to develop a strong root system and soak in plenty of nutrients before you establish a regular cutting regiment. Remember to keep these tips in mind:

• Waiting for the ground to thaw completely. This sure has been a spring of fluctuations, and that means that while the ground may have thawed weeks ago, dropping temperatures may have put your lawn at risk in recent weeks. Be sure the ground is completely thawed before mowing.
• Watching the temperature. Your grass may be looking a little rugged right now, and that’s because it grows all winter long (just not as fast as it does during the summer months). But, when temperatures rise above 40 degree — and stay that way — your grass will go into hyper-growth mode. So watch the temperature, and when it stays consistently in the 40s and 50s, look for other signs of grass growth.

• Looking for dry weather. April showers may bring May flowers, but they also make the grass grow. This is a good thing. But, don’t mow wet grass! Be sure to wait until it (and the ground) is dry before mowing. Otherwise, you may risk damaging its roots.
• Let it get longer. Cutting those blades too soon can result in weakened roots and disease, and that will cause all sorts of growing problems this summer season. Most lawn care experts agree that you should not make that first spring cut until your grass is at least two to three inches high. It may look a little shaggy for a while, but this is the best way to enjoy a thick blanket of green later in the season.
• Keep cuts long. Mow your grass to a longer length in the spring to help it grow strong the rest of the year. Here’s another important note: never remove more than one-third of its length in a single mowing — that can damage your entire lawn!

Bring in Professional Help

Spring is the time of new beginnings, and that includes the awakening of your grass. Be sure to give your lawn exactly what it needs this spring by calling in the experts at Meyers Green Services for complete lawn care help. Call today for a free consultation.