It’s fair to say that Kiwi homeowners love a lush, green lawn. If you’ve just spent a lot of effort or time putting a brand-new lawn in, or you’re currently patching and regrowing a lawn that’s seen better days, you might be tempted to get out there with the mower at the first sign of growth.
But this is where a lot of people go wrong and actually end up stunting the growth of their brand-new grass. Mowing too soon, or doing it incorrectly can damage the fragile roots to the extent that they can’t recover from the harm.
So, when is the best time? Read on as the elite team from Paramount Gardening unpacks when to mow new lawns in NZ.
What Puts a New Lawn at Risk in NZ?
We all know that New Zealand’s climate can be pretty changeable, so when it comes to when to mow a new lawn in NZ, the climate is the number one factor. You might be in the warmer, subtropical north, or the cooler southern regions, but one thing’s for sure: young grass needs a little bit of extra protection from the weather.
Excess rain can waterlog the soil, drowning new grass and leading to severe root damage in strong wings. Likewise, dry spells in high heat can slow down your grass’s establishment, delaying that vital first mow by quite a while.
Other things that can put your lawn at risk have nothing to do with the weather, including ill-prepared soil and foot traffic. And, of course, mowing too early! Jumping into a mow too early can seriously impede your grass’s ability to grow or rip up those roots.
To avoid that major risk, we have to nail the timing. That’s where our best guidelines for new lawn mowing come in, so let’s dive in.
When to Mow a New Lawn in NZ
Check on Your Grass Height
A general rule of thumb is to wait until your grass is about 7–10cm tall before its first mow. This ensures that the grass has established a strong root system and is resilient enough to handle being cut.
Do the Tug Test
Before mowing, gently tug at a patch of grass. If the roots hold firm, it means the grass is well-rooted and ready for a trim. If it comes up easily, wait another week or two before testing again (we don’t want to rip up all the grass before it’s ready!).
Wait for the Right Conditions
Choose a dry day for mowing. Rain and dew weigh the grass down, causing clumping and uneven cuts. It also makes it a lot easier for grass-killing diseases to spread.
Set Your Blade High
For the first mow, set your mower blade to the highest setting. Cutting too low can put stress on the grass and slow its growth pretty badly. The goal is to trim just the top third of the grass blades.
Make sure the blades are sharp as well. Otherwise, they can tear the grass instead of cutting it cleanly.
Other Things You Can Do to Keep a New Lawn Healthy
Aside from knowing when to mow a new lawn in NZ, there are a bunch of other things you can do to keep your lawn healthy and vibrant. Here are some of the top tips from our elite gardening team:
Water wisely.
You’ll want to water your lawn deeply but infrequently for the first few months. It’s best to water in the early morning, allowing the moisture to soak in before the sun evaporates all the water away.
Avoid walking on it.
Young grass is pretty delicate, so try your best to keep pets, kids, and any outdoor furniture off the lawn while it establishes.
Fertilise at the right time.
For the first four to six weeks after sowing your grass, use a high-quality lawn fertiliser to feed your new grass. This gives your grass all the essential nutrients it needs to grow!
Aerate the soil.
Aeration does a lot for your grass, especially when it’s new. Compacted, thick soil isn’t very forgiving on brand-new roots, so aerating the soil allows the roots to forge their way more easily through the soil, and water and oxygen can travel more easily through it.
There you have it! Not only do you have everything you need to decide when to mow a new lawn in NZ, but you’re also equipped with the additional tips you need to get it growing long and strong enough to stand up to Aotearoa’s wild weather system. When in doubt, get in touch with a professional team to plant and care for your new grass!
Keep your lawn pristine and lush with the elite team at Paramount.
With Paramount Gardening as your trusted gardening partner, you’ll never have to wonder when to mow a new lawn in NZ again. We’re here from seed to snip, helping Kiwi homeowners just like you enjoy lush lawns year-round.
Get in touch with us for a quote on your elite garden care today.
