Discover When to Start Mowing Lawn in Redwood City, CA

I’ve been in the landscaping business for 17+ years, and if there’s one mistake I see homeowners in Redwood City make over and over, it’s mowing their lawn at the wrong time. Either they jump the gun and scalp their grass too early, or they wait too long and end up with an overgrown mess.

So, when should you fire up that mower? Well, if you live here in Redwood City or nearby, listen up—because the Bay Area’s climate has its own rules when it comes to lawn care.

First Sign It’s Time to Mow: Soil Temperature, Not Just the Calendar

Forget about marking your calendar for the “official” start of mowing season. The real way to know when it’s time? Check the soil temperature.

The magic number: When the soil consistently stays above 50°F, it’s go-time.
How to check: A simple soil thermometer (or even a digital meat thermometer) stuck a couple of inches into the ground will do the trick.
What happens if you cut too early? If the grass hasn’t fully “woken up” from winter dormancy, mowing too soon can stress it out. Weak roots = a patchy, unhealthy lawn.

In Redwood City, this usually means mid-to-late February for warm-season grasses and early March for cool-season varieties.

Wait Until the Grass is Tall Enough – Don’t Rush It!

A lot of people get impatient when they see their grass start growing. They think, “Time to mow!” But hold up—you need to let it reach the right height first.

How Tall Should Grass Be Before the First Mow?

Warm-season grasses (like Bermuda & Zoysia): Wait until it’s at least 2.5 inches
Cool-season grasses (like Fescue & Ryegrass): Wait for 3 inches or more.

Mowing too short, too soon, can shock the grass and slow down its spring growth. Always remember the one-third rule—never cut off more than 1/3 of the blade height at once.

Redwood City’s Unique Weather: Why Timing Matters Here

Unlike other parts of the country, Redwood City’s mild winters and foggy mornings can make lawn care a bit tricky. A few things you need to consider:

Rainy Season Delay: If we’ve had a lot of rain in January or February, your soil might still be too soggy to mow. Wet soil compacts easily, and mowing on it can create ugly ruts.
Foggy Mornings & Dew: Early spring mornings are often damp, and mowing wet grass leads to clumping and uneven cuts. Wait until mid-morning when things dry out a bit.
Microclimates in the Bay Area: Your neighbor’s lawn in Palo Alto might be ready in February, but if you’re closer to the hills, your grass might take a few weeks longer to start growing actively.

Best Mowing Practices for That First Cut of the Season

Once the timing is right, here’s how to make sure your first mow of the year sets your lawn up for success:

Sharpen Your Blades: A dull mower blade tears grass instead of cutting it cleanly, making your lawn more vulnerable to disease.
Set the Right Height: Don’t scalp your lawn—adjust your mower to the highest recommended setting for your grass type.
Mow When It’s Dry: Wet grass clumps up and can clog your mower.
Mulch the Clippings: If the grass isn’t too long, leave the clippings on the lawn for a natural nutrient boost.
Edge & Trim: Give your lawn that crisp, professional look by edging along walkways and flower beds.

Common Mistakes Homeowners Make (Avoid These!)

I’ve seen it all, and these are the biggest lawn-mowing mistakes people make every year:

Cutting too short – This weakens your grass and invites weeds.
Mowing on a schedule instead of based on growth – Grass grows at different rates depending on the weather, so don’t mow just because it’s “Saturday.”
Ignoring lawn care after the first mow – Mowing is just step one. You still need to fertilize, water properly, and keep weeds in check.

If you want a full year-round game plan, check out our Redwood City Lawn Care Calendar (if applicable, or another relevant blog link).

Get It Done Right – Or Let the Pros Handle It

If you’re the DIY type, I hope this guide helps you time your first mow perfectly. But if you’d rather leave it to the experts, my team at Cisneros Garden Services has been keeping Redwood City lawns in top shape for over 17 years.

We know this climate, these soil conditions, and exactly when—and how—to mow for lush, green results.

Reach out to us for professional lawn care, and let’s get your yard looking its best this season.

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