First mow of a new lawn

When

Usually about four weeks after sowing, once most of the grass has reached 8–10 cm (3–4 in). Mowing encourages young grass to thicken by sending out side shoots, so do not wait until it flops over. Choose a day when the grass is dry and the soil is firm, not soft from watering.

How

• Cut to 5–6 cm (2–2½ in). That removes about a third, following the one-third rule.
• The blade must be sharp. A blunt blade pulls young plants out of the soil instead of cutting them.
• Use a light mower if you can, avoid sharp turns on the new lawn, and do not use a heavy roller yet.
• Collect or rake off the clippings so they do not lie on the young grass.

The weeks after

Once the grass is mown, cut back the daily watering used for germination and move to deeper, less frequent watering so the roots grow down. Keep foot traffic light for the first season. Mow regularly but high through the first summer; see mowing height in summer.

Patches that did not come up can be reseeded now; see sowing a new lawn from seed.