First cut and general advice

I seeded my lawn around 4 weeks ago, it's currently a bit patchy but the length is fairly decent. 5-7" in some places.

Question is, when should I cut the lawn for the first time, I am buying a lawn mower tomorrow that can do 20, 40 and 60mm cuts. So was going to go with 60mm for a while...

What should I do with the patchy areas, leave? They do seem to be filling out a bit.

Please see the images uploaded.

Thanks!

 

Welcome to Gardeners Corner Tomeee.

I would advise you against buying a hover mower, they will damage a new lawn. Adjust your mower to the highest setting and use this for the next two or three cuts, then for the rest of this season you should cut no shorter than the second next highest. Cutting will make the grass branch out and eventually fill any gaps, it will also make the roots stronger.

If there are any gaps left by the end of the summer you could over seed using a little compost to cover it.

 

Thanks Sheal

I was going to go for the "Qualcast 1200W Electric Rotary Lawn Mower" from Homebase, I would link to it but I'm unable to at the moment due to my account being new.

Thanks for the advice on cutting, and the patchy side of things.

Any opinion on when it should get it's first cut, based on it's current growth?

 

Is this the one Tomeee? If so it reads okay to me. I'm not up to date on electric mowers as I have a petrol mower.

http://www.homebase.co.uk/en/homebaseuk/qualcast-1200w-electric-rotary-lawn-mower---32cm-310471

Now, would be good, it is quite long. Don't forget to use the highest adjustment. The second adjustment is fairly short so I'd give it at least four cuts on the higher adjustment. Don't forget to keep it watered during the summer if it's dry as the roots are still establishing themselves. Once a week should be enough if it doesn't rain.

 

That's the one!

I bought some shears today, and decided to trim the longer grass manually- simply because it's such a small area. Thought I'd give it another week or so before I run the mower over it.

 

Looks like a very suitable mower for a smaller lawn - and I certainly agree you should cut at the highest setting for the first few cuts. As you plan, the best way to start off is a light cut with shears, be careful when you are walking / kneeling on the new lawn that you don't damage the newly sown growth.

 

I am in the same position tomee and so far the advice here has been invaluable!

I've been growing seed for last 2 months (was stones before) and it's grown to about 4-5" so I've mown on my rotary mower to around 3".

I'm wondering when to mow again, and if I should lower the setting to about 2"? I've read conflicting arguments.

I kept the front roller on and it's flattened the lawn into stripes and again I've read conflicting arguments to take off the roller and leave on. Have I damaged it?

I have patches so wondering when and if to overseed with a mix of seed and topsoil or compost?

It also seems very thick in places and not so much others.

Amazingly I've got this far over some very hot summer days in England by frequent watering.

Advice on next steps to take would really help as I've only got this far by winging it

 

Welcome to GC Jimma. What sort of lawnmower do you have, you talk of removing the roller? If possible it would be best to use the mower without a roller until the lawn is established. The grass being so young is just being flattened.

I would give it a cut on the present setting on your mower. In two to three days the grass will be upright again and you can then drop your mower down a notch to mow again. Give it a week and mow again on that same lower setting. You can continue this routine until you reach what seems to be a reasonable grass length. I never cut any lawn, however well established, on the lowest cut as it will either scalp or make the grass thin in growth. Unfortunately I can't tell you what height to cut the grass as most mowers differ in adjustment.

There's no need to water the lawn more than once a week at this point and only if it hasn't rained. I would stop watering towards the end of August with the onset of Autumn.

If the lawn is only thin in places in preference to bald patches I suggest you leave over seeding until next spring. When a lawn is cut it's like pruning a shrub it encourages the grass to put out new shoots so it should thicken up. Don't feel tempted to feed it before next spring it will encourage growth and cause it to thin more. Don't be afraid to walk on it either, crushing the blades of grass also encourages branching.