Experts are fairly sure that mowing your lawn too early could be pretty bad – for a number of reasons. Mowing before 8 AM can make you have to deal with the wet, dewy grass, and your mower will definitely not enjoy that.
Early Morning (6–8 AM)
The grass is probably still wet with dew, which means the mower will likely rip the grass, bruise it and it will subsequently take longer to heal. Your mower deck will clog faster, leave tracks, make clumps and cause the grass to mat.
'The least acceptable times are before 8am and after 8pm when most people are seeking rest and relaxation,' says expert gardener Diana Cox, founder of The Gardening Talk.
To minimize disturbance and maximize efficiency, the best time to mow your lawn is in the morning, around 8am to 10am. This way, it's not too hot for physical exertion, and it's late enough that the morning dew has dried.
The best time to start mowing is in the mid-morning, or between the hours of 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. At that time the sun is higher in the sky and the grass has dried out a bit from the early morning dew and any irrigation.
Final Words. As a general guide, the latest time to finish the lawn mowing activity is 8:30 pm. Though, during the winter season, you should think about finishing up before dark to avoid any potential conflict with your neighbors. If that's the case, talk to your neighbors and see what's best for all parties.
'As long as your blades are sharpened, and the grass isn't not soaking wet, mowing in the early morning dew is totally fine,' says Douglas Dedrick.
Mowing too soon, before the turf grass has begun to grow and thicken up, exposes the soil and over-wintering weed seeds to sunlight.
While it might be tempting to mow your lawn as soon as the rain clears, you're better off waiting until the grass is dry. Cutting wet grass can lead to plant fungal diseases, soil damage, and even mower operator injury—all of which are preventable with a little patience.
No Mow May was first popularized by Plantlife, an organization based in the United Kingdom, but is now gaining traction across North America. The goal of No Mow May is to pause mowing during the month of May, allowing flowers to bloom in your lawn to help early season pollinators.
what temperature is “too hot” to mow grass. When temperatures go beyond 80°F, your cool-season grass may begin to struggle. And when high temperatures last for extended periods of time, it can cause your grass' growth to slow down and its vibrant green color to fade.
If you use a push mower (not powered), there is no problem. If you use an electric mower, evaluate the noise. The answer is “maybe”. If you use a gas powered mower, then Yes, it is bad etiquette at 6 am.
In Germany, raising a ruckus on Sundays, on holidays, and during late hours is a big no-no. Noise levels are kept to a minimum by law on Sundays and holidays from 8 p.m. until 7 a.m. That means no lawn-mowing, no drilling, hammering, sawing, or even heavy trucks on the roads.
Most gardeners will agree that the earliest time you can safely mow your lawn is around 8-9 AM. That's because at this time the grass has already dried, and it will typically be standing tall already.
How often should you mow? Normally, weekly mowing is the rule, but some lawns need cutting more often. Other lawns will grow more slowly and might need cutting only once every ten days or two weeks. Generally, don't cut off more than one third of the grass blade.
It's generally best to get your lawn mower out before a rainstorm. This will help ensure that the blades are dry before they're cut, which minimizes the risk of disease. Try to mow in the morning or evening when it's cooler outside.
If the ruts are shallow (no more than a few inches deep), pry the soil and rut up with a spade at a 45-degree angle. The sod should be approximately one to two inches above the surrounding area, and it will eventually settle over time to level evenly with the rest of your grass.
Grass Goes to Seed
In periods of stress such as unusually hot weather or being allowed to grow too long, grass can go to seed. This results in the grass looking more like a weed with its small white flowery stems.
Cutting wet grass can dull the blade more quickly. Clean blades thoroughly before and after mowing a lawn when wet to keep the cut as sharp as possible. Stop and turn off the mower to check your blades as you go along, to clear any clogs that may form on the underside or at the side discharge.
Anywhere from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. is generally the second-best time after the mid-morning time slot. At this time, you avoid the highest temperatures of the day while making sure your grass is also thoroughly dry before mowing.
When the grass is growing rapidly, you will need to mow more often. Mow less often when the grass is growing slow. Cool-season lawns, like Tall Fescue and Kentucky Bluegrass should be mowed about two times per week in the spring and fall, and about one time per week during the summer.
The rate of grass growth and desired height of your lawn determine how often you need to mow. Typically, mowing once a week during the growing season should suffice to keep your lawn healthy. The rest of the time, you can reduce the frequency of cutting to every other week, as necessary.
When the sky is clear or mostly clear overnight, the ground cools, and the warm air radiates away from the ground, up toward the sky. If the ground cools enough, dew then forms on the grass. When it's cloudy overnight, the ground retains more of its heat, and not as much heat is radiated up to the sky.
Mowing Wet Grass Can Damage your Lawn
Mowing your lawn when wet can potentially damage the grass. And believe us when we tell you that even your level of expertise or using high-end mowers won't help when you mow under such conditions. You see, when it rains, the soil under the grass becomes soft.