The best time to mow your lawn to keep it lush and green

Wondering when you should mow your lawn this April?

The exact time to start with the mower is crucial for keeping your grass lush and green in the approaching summer.

Mowing the lawn too soon can result in stress on the plants, leading to undesirable brown patches and hard-packed soil that hampers the grass's ability to absorb water.

READ MORE: British holidaymakers may be refused entry to Spain without three documents at airport

Yet, if you put off mowing until too late in the year, you risk inviting unwelcome weeds and moss which could outnumber your lawn, resulting in a pesky invasion of pests and diseases.

As a general rule, lawns in the UK are usually tended to between March and October - but the precise date to begin mowing depends on our often unpredictable spring weather conditions, reports the Express.

Typically, late March or early April are the best moments to start up the mower after the grass has awoken from its winter sleep and started growing again. But when specifically should you give that first trim?

Lorienne Whittle, of the Woodland Trust - who serves as a science officer - offers some insight. Over the past two decades in the UK, she notes, the average date of that initial cut falls around March 18 - but warmer or colder temperatures can obviously shift that date either way.

Adding weight to her point, Whittle goes on to mention: "The Met Office has estimated that the growing season has increased by at least a month compared to 1961-90. In some areas, grass is growing all year round. This is an important indicator of the effects of climate change."

Allow the grass to start growing when the soil temperature is above 6C, best waiting for it to reach a height of six to eight centimetres before mowing to give it time to establish. Once the mowing season starts, keep in mind that lawns need bi-weekly trims to remain healthy and well maintained.

Before mowing your lawn after winter, wait until the grass is completely dry and rain-free for a few days. Lorienne explained: "If the ground is too wet, the weight of the mower can damage the grass and compact the soil, making it harder for grass to establish healthy roots."

It's also advised to trim the grass late in the afternoon to ensure any moisture has evaporated. For its first cut, only a small portion from tops should be removed.

Aiming to cut less than a third off the grass' height during the inaugural mow this season promotes healthier growth. According to Lorienne: "Cutting too close will stress the grass, causing shallow roots and making your lawn more susceptible to drought, disease and bare patches."

She also added: "You can take progressively more off over the following weeks without damaging the grass."