Lawn guides
The first mow on new turf
Cut too soon and you can lift the turf. Leave it too long and it gets leggy. Here's how to judge it.
When is it ready?
Usually after two to three weeks in the growing season, sometimes longer in cooler months. The test is simple: take hold of a handful of grass and tug gently. If the turf stays put, the roots have taken hold and you can mow.
Doing the first cut
Let it dry
Mow when the grass is dry, ideally after skipping watering that morning.
Set it high
Pick the top setting or the one below it, and trim a third of the blade at most.
Check the blade
A sharp blade cuts cleanly. A blunt one tears grass and can drag the turf.
Go gently
Turn slowly at the ends and avoid sharp turns on the new lawn.
Collect the clippings
Fit the grass box for the early cuts, as loose clippings can smother young grass.
Over the next few weeks
Lower the height one notch every week or so until you reach your usual setting. For a hard-wearing family lawn, a medium height is kinder than a very short cut, especially in shadier gardens.
Which mower?
Any well-maintained mower will do. Lighter mowers are kinder to a new lawn for the first cut or two. If yours is heavy, push it gently and avoid stopping in one spot.
More guides
Questions people ask
My turf is getting long but isn't rooted yet. What should I do?
Leave it a few more days and keep watering. If it's very long, a light trim with the mower on its highest setting is fine, as long as the turf doesn't lift.
Is a robot mower OK on a new lawn?
Wait until the lawn is fully rooted and you've done a few normal cuts yourself first.