When to Start Mowing Your Lawn in Spring (Victoria Area)

One of the most common questions we get from homeowners in Victoria and the surrounding area is “When should I start mowing my lawn in spring?” The answer depends on several factors specific to our mild coastal climate.

The Short Answer

In the Greater Victoria area, most lawns are ready for their first mow between mid-March and early April. However, the exact timing varies based on:

• Your specific microclimate
• How much sun your lawn gets
• Soil drainage conditions
• The type of grass you have

Signs Your Lawn is Ready

Don’t go by the calendar alone. Look for these indicators:

1. Active Growth

Your grass should be actively growing, not just green from winter. New growth will appear brighter green than dormant grass.

2. Grass Height

Wait until your lawn reaches at least 3-4 inches tall. This ensures the grass has enough leaf surface to photosynthesize after cutting.

3. Dry Soil

The ground should be firm enough to walk on without leaving footprints. Our wet Vancouver Island winters often keep soil soggy into March.

4. Consistent Temperatures

Daytime temperatures should consistently reach 10°C or higher. In Victoria and Saanich, this typically happens by mid-March.

First Mow Best Practices

When you do make that first cut:

Set your mower high - For the first mow, set your blade at 3-4 inches. This reduces stress on grass that’s just coming out of dormancy.

Remove only one-third - Never cut more than one-third of the grass blade in a single mowing. If your lawn is very tall, you may need multiple sessions to bring it down to regular height.

Sharpen your blade - A dull blade tears grass rather than cutting it cleanly, making your lawn more susceptible to disease.

Mow when dry - Wait for a dry day. Wet grass clogs mowers and doesn’t cut evenly.

Timing by Area

Different parts of Greater Victoria warm up at different rates:

Area	Typical First Mow
Victoria (downtown)	Mid-March
Saanich (urban)	Mid-March
Langford	Late March
View Royal	Late March
Metchosin/Highlands	Early April
Central Saanich	Late March

Areas closer to the water tend to warm up faster, while higher elevations and more rural areas may stay cool longer.

What Happens If You Start Too Early?

Mowing too early can:

• Stress grass that hasn’t fully woken from dormancy
• Compact waterlogged soil
• Damage grass crowns in soft ground
• Spread disease through wet conditions

It’s better to wait a week or two than to damage your lawn by starting too soon.

What If You Start Too Late?

Starting late isn’t ideal either:

• Overgrown grass is harder to cut
• You may need to mow multiple times to reach proper height
• Weeds get a head start
• Lawn looks unkempt

If you’ve let your lawn get too long, raise your mower to its highest setting and gradually reduce the height over several mowings.

Setting Up a Mowing Schedule

Once you start mowing, plan to continue weekly or bi-weekly through the growing season:

• March-April: Every 10-14 days (growth is slower)
• May-June: Weekly (peak growing season)
• July-August: Every 7-10 days (growth slows in heat)
• September-October: Every 10-14 days
• November: Final mow, then winter break

Professional Mowing Services

Not sure when to start or don’t have time to keep up with spring mowing? Maestros Services provides regular lawn maintenance across Victoria, Saanich, Langford, and the Cowichan Valley.

We know exactly when local lawns are ready for their first cut and can set you up on a schedule that keeps your yard looking great all season.

Quick Reference

✓ Start mowing mid-March to early April in Greater Victoria ✓ Wait for grass to reach 3-4 inches ✓ Soil should be firm, not soggy ✓ Set mower blade high for first cut ✓ Remove only one-third of grass height ✓ Mow on a dry day

Spring mowing season is right around the corner. A little patience at the start ensures a healthier, greener lawn all summer long.