August 14, 2024 4 min read

Randomly mowing your lawn is not sufficient for maintaining a healthy lawn. It is essential to have a comprehensive understanding, including the appropriate timing for mowing. Mow your lawn at the fitting time to promote the development of a robust, self-sustaining grass carpet. Step by step we will get into it.

Get the timing right

  1. Early morning =Mowing the lawn early in the morning, particularly before 8 a.m., may not be the best choice since the grass tends to be wet from morning dew, rain, or irrigation. This can make it challenging for themower to effectively cut the grass. Additionally, it's considerate to avoid mowing before 8 a.m. on weekdays as it can be disruptive to neighbors. It's also worth checking if local policies are against loud noises during early morning hours in your area.
  2. Mid-morning =The best time for mowing your lawn is in the mid-morning (8-11 am), ideally after 8 am. This gives the grass enough time to dry and recover before the evening. The grass needs to benefit from the daytime to heal properly before nightfall.
  3. Midday =Although midday (12-2 pm) isn’t the most optimal time to mow your lawn. The main downside of mowing during this time of day is the scorching sun. Therefore, if for some reason you decide to mow the lawn at midday, cut no more than the top third of the grass. Cut more and you might expose all the tiny plants your lawn consists of to the scorching sun and that isn’t something they’d enjoy. Overall, it’s best to avoid cutting your grass in hot conditions.
  4. Late afternoon = The late afternoon (4-6 pm) is the second-best time of day to mow your lawn. The weather during the late afternoon is still a tad warm but there’s no risk of the sun burning the lawn. It’s also early enough to give your lawn enough time to recover before late evening.
  5. Late evening =Mowing your lawn in the late evening (6-9 pm) may not be the best choice for maintaining a healthy lawn. While the temperature is cooler compared to midday or late afternoon, this practice can make your grass vulnerable to disease and fungal infections. It's more beneficial to avoid mowing during this time and allow your lawn to recover and heal before nightfall when dew develops.

When to mow
1. Always remember the one-third mowing rule ---
  • For vigorous and vibrant lawn grass, following proper mowing guidelines is essential. To promote optimal growth, it is suggested to trim the grass when it exceeds one-third of the desired height. Trimming over one-third of the grass blades at a time can induce stress and delay root development, ultimately weakening the grass. It's important to adjust your  mower deck to the ideal height for the specific type of grass in your lawn. 


  • [RELATED =HOW TO DETERMINE PROPER CUTTING HEIGHT FOR A HEALTHY LAWN ]

    2. Mow the lawn before the weeds go to seed--

  • It's important to mow your lawn regularly to control weeds by cutting them before they have a chance to set seed. While mowing won't eliminate weeds with tall seed heads, it can help keep them in check. So, it's a good idea to mow anyway, cutting the weeds before they set seed to prevent further spread.
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    When not to mow
    1. When the grass is wet—

    • Mowing wet grass is not advisable as the  mower blades do not cut the grass efficiently. This results in ragged, rough cuts and leaves the lawn uneven and discolored in certain areas. Additionally, mowing wet grass can lead to mower issues and damage the lawn. Furthermore, heavy traffic across the lawn while the grass or soil is wet can cause soil compaction problems.


    2. Never mow with dull blades—

    • During extreme drought, grass is already under significant stress due to lack of water. Mowing it can aggravate this stress, weakening the grass even further and making it more vulnerable to disease, pests, and death. In drought situations, grass often grows more slowly and becomes thinner. Mowing can lead to scalping, where the mower cuts too close to the ground, removing too much of the grass blade and exposing the soil. This can lead to root damage and further weaken the lawn.
    3. In extreme drought conditions—
    • During extreme drought, grass is already under significant stress due to lack of water. Mowing it can aggravate this stress, weakening the grass even further and making it more vulnerable to disease, pests, and death. In drought situations, grass often grows more slowly and becomes thinner. Mowing can lead to scalping, where the mower cuts too close to the ground, removing too much of the grass blade and exposing the soil. This can lead to root damage and further weaken the lawn.
    4. Don’t mow soon after applying herbicide--
    • Herbicides need time to be absorbed by the plants to be effective. Mowing too soon can remove the treated leaves or grass blades before the herbicide has had a chance to work, reducing its effectiveness. For best results, wait at least two to three days after applying the chemical before cutting your grass to ensure nutrients are absorbed properly.

    ---By following these helpful tips, you can gain valuable acquaintance and cultivate a vibrant, flourishing lawn.

     

    Cited sources 

    When Is the Best Time to Mow Your Lawn?

    When Is the Best Time to Mow Your Lawn?

    When's the Best Time to Mow?