Enrolling in a fertilization program is one of the best things you can do for your lawn. Most programs offer year-round protection so that you never have to worry if your lawn is getting the correct amount of nutrients during every changing season. We often get questions from clients about how long they have to wait until they can resume normal activity such as cutting the grass on a recently fertilized lawn. We get it! You want to check off your lawn to-do list but it can be hard to know how long you should wait to ensure that you don't disrupt the fertilization process.

Below, we have outlined the best times to cut your grass and mowing tips to follow every time your lawn receives a fertilization treatment.

When to Mow Leading Up to Your Fertilization Treatment

The perfect time to cut your grass would be right before your fertilization treatment. This way, your lawn is already at its perfect length when it gets fertilized and you most likely won't have to break out the lawnmower for another week. Allowing your lawn to stay untouched for so long will give your soil time to absorb all of the nutrients before your grass length gets too out of hand.

Another benefit to mowing the lawn right before your fertilization treatment is the grass clippings that it will leave behind. Give your lawn a natural boost by leaving those clippings on your lawn. They will eventually decompose and release extra organic nutrients and water back into your soil. What's not to love about that additional nutrient boost? And you didn't even have to pay for an extra fertilizer treatment!

How long should you wait to mow after your fertilization treatment?

After your lawn has just been fertilized, it will need a little time before you can resume normal activities. Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium take time to absorb into your soil. Doing anything too drastic on your lawn, such as cutting your grass, will disrupt this process.

We always suggest to our clients that they wait 24 to 48 hours before mowing their lawn after fertilization. Ideally, our customers have mowed right before we fertilized their lawn, so this waiting period won't be an issue. However, we understand that life gets in the way and you might not have time to mow right before the application. If this is the case, it can be tempting to break out the lawnmower! However, to ensure that you give the nutrients a little time to absorb, it's important that you wait at least one full day before cutting your grass.

Tips to Follow Once It's Finally Time to Mow

Lawn mowed after fertilization treatments in Troutdale, OR.

It's finally time to resume normal activity on your lawn after your fertilization treatment! Before you reach for your lawnmower, here are the most important mowing tips to follow:

  1. Don't mow when your grass is wet. Water might be weighing down your grass blades which would cause an uneven cut.
  2. Make sure your mower blades are sharp. Mowing with dull blades will rip your grass instead of cut it cleanly. This not only makes your lawn look raggedy, but it will also increase the chances of insect infestation or lawn disease.
  3. Don't cut your grass blades too short. You should never be cutting more than 1/3 off the top of your grass blades during one mowing session. Cutting too far down the blade will hinder your grass's ability to perform photosynthesis, making your lawn extremely weak and susceptible to disease.

Contact Us for Your Lawn Care Today

At J&C Lawn Care, we provide exceptional lawn care services including fertilization and lawn mowing for properties in the Greater Gresham, OR area. For residential and commercial property owners who don’t have the gift of the green thumb, our services can make your lawn pristine. With our crew’s expertise, your yard will not only look excellent but will also stay healthy year-round.

When you need professional help keeping your lawn in tip-top shape, our experts are only a phone call away. Contact us at (971) 284-2035 today to receive a quote for any of our services.