Mowing Missteps: The Worst Times to Trim Your Lawn

Whether mowing the lawn is a meditative ritual for you, or simply a monotony, maintaining a consistent schedule is crucial for a lush yard. But, did you know the time of day you choose to mow can greatly impact the health of your grass?

Every time you mow your lawn, you're putting it under stress. According to landscape contractor Coleman Cosby from Yardzen, an overly stressed lawn is vulnerable to diseases and its growth rate reduces significantly. "Lesser the impact during mowing, faster the recovery, and healthier is your grass," said Cosby.

Palpable factors like heat, moisture, and sunlight can greatly affect your lawn post-mowing. They fluctuate throughout the day and can either harm or optimize your landscaping efforts. Our conversations with lawn care professionals revealed some of the least suitable times of the day to mow your lawn.

Most agree that you should avoid certain time slots when it comes to lawn mowing. As tempting as it might be to rise early and finish this chore, Cosby advises against mowing in the early morning. "It's still wet with dew early in the day. And wet grass does not facilitate good cutting, it can clog up your mower, dull its blades, and even contribute to the spread of various lawn diseases," he explained. The same rationale applies to mowing after a heavy rain.

Moreover, it's also important to steer clear of mowing in the sweltering midday heat, especially during the peak summer months. Lori Johnson, the president of The Grounds Guys, a Neighborly company, stated that the excessive heat can cause damage to freshly cut grass blades or even dry them out. Besides protecting your lawn from harm, mowing during cooler parts of the day also reduces your risk of heat stroke. She advises to save the task for later, battling the midday heat is not worth the risk.

Then when is the optimal time to bring out the mower? According to experts, late afternoon is just right. As Cosby explains, "By late afternoon, the grass would have mostly dried out, however, it wouldn't be subjected to the harsh midday sun.” Opting for a late afternoon lawn trim protects your skin from the scorching summer sun as well. Yet, Cosby offers a word of caution, "Mowing too late in the day doesn't provide the cut blades with enough time to heal before night moisture sets in. This increases the risk of fungal infections."

Keep these important tips while mowing and ensure optimal health of your grass.