Is it too early to mow your lawn in Aberdeen? (March 2026 Guide)
With the calendar turning to March, many of us in Aberdeen are looking out at the garden and wondering if it’s finally time to get the mower out of the shed. While we’ve had some cold snaps, the grass is starting to wake up—but before you start, there are a few "Aberdeen-specific" rules you need to follow to avoid damaging your lawn for the rest of the year.
1. The 8°C Rule
In the North East of Scotland, our soil stays cold longer than down south. Grass only starts growing when the soil temperature consistently hits 8°C. If you mow while the ground is still near freezing or frosty, you risk shattering the grass blades and turning your lawn brown.
2. The "Squelch" Test
Our Aberdeen clay soil holds a lot of winter moisture. Before you mow, walk across your lawn. If your boots leave a muddy print or you hear a "squelch," stop. Mowing wet, soft soil leads to compaction and bald patches. It’s better to wait for a dry afternoon.
3. The "One-Third" Rule (The most important part!)
For your first cut of 2026, set your mower to its highest setting. You should never remove more than one-third of the grass height in one go. Think of it as a "light trim" to wake the grass up. Scalping it too early in March will stress the roots and invite moss and weeds to take over.
4. Don't Forget the Waste
March tidying creates a lot of garden waste. At Hedge Stars Aberdeen, we include full waste removal with our service, so you don't have to worry about overflowing brown bins or trips to the Hazlehead recycling centre.
Need a Professional Spring Start?
If your garden has turned into a bit of a jungle over the winter, we are now booking for spring tidy-ups and regular lawn maintenance across Cults, Bieldside, Milltimber, Peterculter, Maryculter, Westhill, Dyce, Kingswells, Bridge of Don, Cove and Portlethen.
Have questions about our service? Check out our new Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page.
See what your neighbours think: Read our latest 5-star reviews on our Testimonials page.
Contact Hedge Stars Aberdeen today for a free, no-obligation quote!
