City guide · Prince George, BC
When to Make the First Cut in Prince George: Timing Your Lawn After a Long Northern Winter
In Prince George, most lawns are ready for the first cut in mid to late May. Wait until the grass is green, growing and about 10 to 11 cm (4 to 4.5 inches) tall. The yard should be dry enough to walk on without sinking. Set the mower to 5 to 7.5 cm (2 to 3 inches), the height the City suggests. Cut off no more than a third of the blade.
Why is the first cut so late in Prince George?
Snow and cold soil. Environment Canada's climate normals for the Prince George airport (1981 to 2010) show about 205 cm of snow in a normal winter. At the end of March, about 4 cm is still on the ground. By the end of April, it's gone.
Snow melting doesn't mean grass is growing, though. The Guelph Turfgrass Institute says cool-season grass starts to grow once soil reaches 4.5 to 7°C (40 to 45°F). Soil warms slower than the air. A warm April afternoon can feel like spring while the roots are still cold.
What do April and May look like at the airport?
| At the airport | April | May |
|---|---|---|
| Normal daily high | 11.2°C | 16.7°C |
| Days with a high over 10°C | about 18 | about 29 |
| Nights at or below 0°C | about 19 | about 6 |
| Normal snowfall | 7.4 cm | 1.9 cm |
April brings warm days but mostly frosty nights. May is when warm days and milder nights line up. That's why the first cut in Prince George usually lands in May, not April.
When is the last frost in Prince George?
At the airport, the average last spring frost is May 26. The first fall frost comes around September 5. That leaves about 101 frost-free days, the shortest season of any city on our British Columbia list.
The average hides a lot of swing. Environment Canada's odds for the airport say this:
- In about half of years, a frost comes on or after May 31.
- In about 1 year in 4, the last frost is on or after June 14.
- In about 1 year in 10, it's on or after June 22.
So a frosty morning in early June is normal here. It doesn't mean you started too soon. Grass handles a light frost fine once it's growing. Just don't mow it while it's white. Our post on mowing after a frost explains why.
Does it matter if you live in the valley or up on the hill?
It can. The airport sits at about 691 m. The city's sewage treatment plant station sits near the Fraser at about 579 m, about 110 m lower. Its normals show a last frost around May 15 and about 128 frost-free days. That record is less complete, so treat it as a rough guide.
The City's Official Plan says the city covers 329 km² around the Nechako and Fraser rivers. It grew to take in areas like College Heights, Hart Highlands and Blackburn, which have their own geography. A lawn near the river flats may green up days before one up on the hill. Watch your own yard, not your cousin's across town.
How do you know your lawn is ready for the first cut?
Skip the calendar date. Walk the yard and check these signs. When they're all true, you're ready.
- The grass is green and growing, not brown and flat from the snow.
- Most of the lawn is about 10 to 11 cm (4 to 4.5 inches) tall.
- Your shoes don't sink or leave wet prints.
- The blades are dry. No frost, no dew, no rain.
- The sticks, grit and winter junk are off the grass.
UConn Extension warns that walking or working on wet soil packs it down. That can hurt the lawn all season. If the yard squishes, give it a few more dry days.
How short should the first cut be?
Not short. The City of Prince George says lawns stay moist when cut to 5 to 7.5 cm (2 to 3 inches). The City adds that tall grass shades and cools the soil, grows slower and needs less mowing.
Follow the one-third rule too. NDSU Extension says to avoid cutting more than one third of the blade at once. Their example: if you keep the lawn at 7.5 cm (3 inches), cut it before it passes 11 cm (4.5 inches).
Don't scalp the lawn to "wake it up." NDSU says a short cut exposes more soil and leads to drought stress. Keep the deck up and let the grass fill in.
What if the grass got ahead of you?
A wet stretch in late May can leave the lawn shaggy fast. Take it down in steps. Cut a third, wait a few days, then cut again a little lower. Bag that first long cut, or rake up the clumps. NDSU says clumps of long clippings can smother the grass.
Don't let it run wild, either. Prince George's Property Maintenance Bylaw No. 8425 says a lawn can't grow past the standard in your neighbourhood. In any case, it can't pass 10 inches (about 25 cm). Our Prince George lawn care page has more on local rules.
What should you do before the mower comes out?
After a Prince George winter, lawns come out flat and littered. Clear the yard first so the mower doesn't throw anything.
- Pick up sticks, rocks, toys and anything the plow pushed onto the grass.
- Rake off old leaves. UConn Extension says leaves left in spring slow green-up.
- Check the mower blade. NDSU says dull blades tear the tips and they turn brown.
- Sweep grit off the edges of the drive and walk.
Where do the sticks and leaves go?
The City sends yard and garden waste to the Foothills Landfill or the Quinn Street and Vanway transfer stations. Don't put it in your City garbage bin. The Regional District says the Foothills Boulevard Regional Landfill, at 6595 Foothills Boulevard, takes large amounts free for composting. That includes leaves, grass and hedge clippings, and branches up to 75 mm (3 inches) across.
What about snow mould after the melt?
That's often snow mould. The University of Saskatchewan says it shows up after the snow melts and fades with warmer, drier weather. Lawns usually recover well. Rake the patches once the lawn is dry, and wear a mask if you're sensitive. Our partner crews don't spray, and we don't give spray advice.
What about watering in spring?
If you water in spring, Prince George's sprinkling rules apply 365 days a year. Even house numbers sprinkle on even dates and odd numbers on odd dates. In most of the city, there's no sprinkling from noon to 5 p.m. Western Acres has no sprinkling from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The City fines people who break them.
The City says lawns need about 2.5 cm (1 inch) of water a week. That's about a half hour of sprinkling, twice a week, on your days.
How often will you mow after the first cut?
More often than you think. NDSU says you may need to mow every 5 days in spring. Prince George's spring is short, and June is the airport's wettest month. Grass grows fast once it gets going.
Leave normal clippings on the lawn. NDSU says they shade the soil, hold moisture and give nutrients back. Just blow or sweep them off the drive. If you're new to timing the first cut, our first mow of spring guide covers the basics for anywhere in Canada.
Can someone else take care of the first cut?
Yes. Golden Oak Lawn Care matches you with a vetted, insured local crew in Prince George. They do the work. We stand behind it with the Golden Oak Guarantee.
Your crew can start with a spring cleanup to clear the sticks, grit and matted grass. Then regular lawn mowing starts once the grass is growing. With the Worry-Free Lawn Season, the same crew comes every visit and texts you a photo after every cut. Your first cut is free when you book the season.
We price every lawn by its size from satellite images. Lawn size, how often you want it cut, slopes, gates and obstacles all change the price. Booking before the snow goes gets you on the list early.
Want it handled? Get your price in 60 minutes, or call 1-866-904-LAWN.
Prince George First Cut Questions
Can I mow my lawn in April in Prince George?
Usually not. April at the airport has about 19 frosty nights and a normal high of 11.2°C. Most lawns aren't growing enough yet. Wait until the grass is green, growing and the yard is dry.
Should I wait until after the last frost to mow?
No. The average last frost at the airport is May 26, and some years it's mid-June. If the grass is growing and dry, you can cut. Mow in the afternoon, after any frost has melted.
How long can my grass get before the City steps in?
Bylaw No. 8425 says your lawn can't grow past the neighbourhood standard. It can never pass 10 inches (about 25 cm). Regular cuts keep you well under that.
Where can I take branches and leaves from my spring cleanup?
Take them to the Foothills Boulevard Regional Landfill or the Quinn Street or Vanway transfer stations. Foothills takes large amounts of yard waste free for composting. Branches must be 75 mm (3 inches) across or less.
Rules change, so check with the City before you plan. Sources: Environment Canada climate normals, Prince George A, Environment Canada climate normals, Prince George STP, City Official Community Plan, Property Maintenance Bylaw No. 8425, City water restrictions, City Spring Clean Up, RDFFG Foothills Boulevard Regional Landfill, Guelph Turfgrass Institute, NDSU Extension mowing, UConn soil compaction, UConn leaf management, USask snow mould.
