The Worst Time Of Day to Mow Your Lawn Might Surprise You
Nothing beats the lush look of a manicured lawn, but maintaining a pristine patch of grass can be hard work. The job requires seeding , watering , mowing, and fertilizing with consistency and patience. Breaking out your lawn mower, in particular, is one aspect that's crucial for the vitality and vibrancy of your blades. And it's a lawn-care chore you have to tackle pretty regularly, generally every week when you start mowing in the spring and then, every other week in the summer.
Since the undertaking can be time-consuming and tiring, mowing your lawn at the wrong time can ruin all your efforts. While following the right timeline can keep your grass looking happy and healthy, blindly firing up your mower whenever your schedule allows for it can do more harm than good. A poorly timed mowing session can stress out your blades, damage your mower, and make your lawn vulnerable to diseases.
Because the best results happen during a certain window of time, we chatted with Steve Corcoran, co-founder and CEO of LawnStarter and Lawn Love , to get the rundown on all things timing. Understanding when to mow and when to wait can make all the difference in achieving that picture-perfect landscape. Here's everything you need to know about the best and worst times to mow your lawn, along with expert tips for keeping your grass in tip-top shape.
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The Worst Time to Mow Your Lawn
Across the board, experts agree that there are a handful of times that aren't ideal for mowing.
Early Morning
It might be tempting to cross "mow the lawn" off your to-do list right after waking up, but the early morning isn't an optimal time to start cutting. Why? Your yard is usually covered in dew, and wet grass leads to uneven cuts, heavy clumping, and fungal diseases (more on that below). Not to mention, it can cause lasting damage to your lawn and equipment.
Midday
Another time that's off-limits for lawn mowing is smack-dab in the middle of the day, especially in the summer heat. During the hottest months, afternoons tend to bring excessive heat that can dry out or injure freshly cut blades. Of course, powering your machine during a scorching afternoon isn't a comfortable experience for you, either—and from a health and safety standpoint, it can increase your risk of heat stroke.
Whenever It's Wet
While it isn't a cut-and-dried time, mowing a wet lawn, like we previously noted, is a no-go. "The worst time of day to mow your lawn is whenever it is wet," Corcoran says. "You want to avoid mowing after it has rained, after your sprinklers have been on, and even when there is just some morning dew out there." Wet grass doesn't cut as easily, so the blade can tear, making them more susceptible to diseases. Additionally, wet grass can clog your mower, causing mechanical issues. "When wet grass blades get in your mower, that can cause blockages and damage the blades or even the engine," Corcoran adds.
The Best Time to Mow Your Lawn
Now that you're well-versed in the worst times to mow your lawn, these are the correct times to trim your grass.
Late Morning
Later in the morning, between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., is one of the best times to mow the lawn. During this window, the grass has usually dried, but the heat hasn't quite settled. This allows your lawn to absorb all the water from any morning dew or sprinkler system without suffering from heat stress.
Late Afternoon
If you miss that window, the next best time to mow your lawn is in the late afternoon, between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., when temperatures have cooled down, but there's still enough daylight to get the job done.
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Mowing Tips for a Lush Lawn
Once you've nailed the timing element, keep these mowing tips in mind for a healthy, vibrant lawn.
Choose the Right Mower
For the best performance, choose a lawn mower that corresponds to your lawn size. Smaller yards—less than one-third of an acre—will benefit from an electric mower, whereas a lawn tractor or riding mower is more ideal for a larger lawn of up to two acres.
Sharpen Your Blades
If your lawn mower has dull blades, they can tear your grass, which makes it more vulnerable to diseases. Sharpening your blades every now and then will ensure cleaner cuts.
Follow a Regular Schedule
Consistently mowing your lawn will give your grass a healthy, dense look and prevent new weeds from growing. Waiting too long between cuts can cause clumping and tougher, more uneven cuts. Just be sure to hold off on mowing new grass until the blades match the height of your entire lawn.
Pay Attention to Length
As you're cutting your grass, be sure to avoid cutting it too short. Trimming it to the soil level, otherwise known as scalping, can be helpful in early spring to remove dormant growth, but generally, keeping your grass slightly longer can help it retain moisture and stay healthy.
Make Seasonal Adjustments
Just like your lawn changes and evolves throughout the year, its mowing needs will also shift. Because grass grows faster in the spring, you'll want to mow your lawn more frequently than later in the summer, for instance.
By following these expert tips and timing your mowing just right, you'll ensure your lawn stays healthy, beautiful, and well-maintained.
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