Preparing your lawn and Husqvarna Automower® for the mowing season

As the temperature rises and the grass growth accelerates, the mowing season begins. This article provides a detailed guide on how to prepare your Automower® robotic lawn mower and lawn for the mowing season.

When to start mowing the grass

Start mowing the grass only when the grass starts to actively grow. Premature mowing can damage the grass blades, hindering the ability of the lawn to regrow properly. The grass typically begins to grow around 8°C (40°F), though this may vary depending on grass type. A useful guideline is to wait until the grass reaches a height of 5 to 7 centimetres (2–2.76 inches) before conducting the first mow of the season. This rule also applies if you are sowing new grass.

Steps to get your lawn ready for mowing

Cleaning up

As part of spring lawn care, prevent grass mould by raking leaves and cleaning up any garden debris, including sticks, pine cones, leaves and scattered mulch. This prevents wear on your robotic lawn mower blades when it starts mowing and removes any obstacles that may hinder the lawn mower’s operation.

Aerating

Aerating the soil using a pitchfork or a lawn aerator is beneficial. It loosens compacted soil, promoting an oxygen-rich environment for healthy root development, allowing more water to reach the roots during their crucial development cycle. Be careful not to damage the boundary wire installation while aerating.

Overseeding

Overseed any bare or patchy areas on the lawn. Keep the surface moist after doing this and cover with a fibre cloth for faster germination. If your Automower® model supports Zone Control with AIM Technology or EPOS™ Technology, create a stay-out zone to prevent the mower from entering that area. For other models, use Automower® Temporary Fence, Automower® FlexiFence, or Automower® Area Switch to temporarily fence off an area that you do not want the mower to enter. Read more about creating stay-out zones or islands here.

Fertilising

Fertilise your lawn to maintain its green and healthy appearance. If your goal is to create a perfect-looking lawn, consider using a slow-release fertiliser. This results in a lawn that grows more slowly but encourages more uniform growth.

Watering the lawn

If it is a dry spring, it is time to start watering your lawn.

Getting your Automower® ready

Checking the boundary wire installation

Before starting your mower for the season, walk around your garden and check the boundary wire installation. Ensure that no stakes have come out of the ground and that there is no visible damage to the boundary wire.

Checking the mower blades

Sharp blades are essential for a clean cut of the lawn. This prevents the blade from tearing the grass, resulting in a nicer finish to the lawn and protecting your grass against diseases. If you did not change your blades at the end of last season, now is the time to do it.​ Always replace the screw as well as the blade.

Tips and advice on how to change blades on an Automower® robotic lawn mower.

Installing the charging station

Place your charging station out in the garden, connect the wires and plug it in. Check that the green light is showing. Place your mower in the charging station to charge. If you do not get a loop signal, check our troubleshooting information on how to fix the issue.

Checking the mowing settings and starting operation

Set the schedule in the Automower® Connect app and start operation. Once your mower is charged and scheduled to operate, it will start mowing. When you mow your lawn for the first time after winter, it is important not to mow too short as this can cause stress to the grass and leave it vulnerable to disease or weeds. Therefore, start with a high cutting height and gradually lower it.

If you notice that your mower is only operating on half the lawn when it starts mowing, then it is likely that you have connected a boundary or guide wire to the wrong charging station pin. You can easily solve this by checking that the connectors are connected correctly to the charging station pins. Read here for more information: Why is my Automower® robotic lawn mower only mowing portions of the lawn?

Enabling smart Automower® features for a healthier lawn

Automower® is equipped with many smart features designed to improve the performance of your robotic lawn mower, save you time and unlock the full potential of your lawn.

Starting the season right: It is advisable to begin the mowing season with a higher cutting height, gradually reducing it over time. To assist with this, several Automower® models come with a feature called TargetHeight. This can be activated via the Automower® Connect app, allowing your mower to gradually adjust the cutting height until it reaches your preferred level. Read more about how to change cutting height on Automower®.

Protecting your lawn in frosty conditions: The Frost Guard feature on your mower helps protect your lawn from potential frost damage. This feature, accessible either through the mower menu or the Automower® Connect app, enables your mower to automatically pause its mowing schedule during frosty conditions.

Smart connections and custom routines: For models with cellular or Wi-Fi connectivity, you can make use of smart connections. In the Smart Home section of the Automower® Connect app, you will find a smart connection that automatically parks your mower when the forecast predicts heavy rain or frost. Find out more about this smart connection here.

Please contact your local Husqvarna dealer if you need further assistance with the installation or operation of your Automower® robotic lawn mower.