Lawn care is a simple yet complex activity that every homeowner should master. The reason is that simple details like the time you cut your grasses or the length you leave them can significantly impact their well-being. While you can mow your lawn anytime you like, it’s more beneficial to do it at some times than others.
A day has different zones; morning, mid-morning, midday, late afternoon, and evening. Cutting your grasses during any of these periods can have a differential effect on them.
This article will educate you on the worst time to mow your lawn. You’ll understand the characteristics of these periods and why you shouldn’t mow the lawn during them.
When is the Worst Time to Mow Your Lawn?
Early Morning (6 AM – 9 AM)
Early morning is one of the worst times to mow because they’re still wet from the morning dew. Wet grasses are heavier than dried ones and will lie flat on the ground instead of standing upright as they would when dried. You’ll only get an uneven cut on the grass if you do each pass this period.
When homeowners notice an uneven cut, they try to correct the fault. Thus, forcing themselves to do extra work because they cut the grass at the wrong time.
When you cut wet grasses, you get a tear rather than a cut because their height isn’t even. This tear exposes them to diseases like fungus, which you could’ve avoided if you mowed at the right time.
From the above explanation, it might seem like the early morning is the worst time to cut your grass which isn’t far from the truth. However, there are other periods in the day, and not all of them are suitable for mowing your lawns, which brings us to the next section.
Midday (10 AM – 4 PM)
Midday mowing is also not the best for your lawn, and you should avoid it. While you won’t have to worry about too much moisture getting in the mower, the scorching sun isn’t your best friend this time. Your grasses use this period to carry out photosynthesis and other chemical processes, which you’ll be hindering by tearing your harsh mower blades through them.
Aside from the threat that cutting the grass at that time poses to the grasses: it’s not the best time for you or your mower. If you use a gasoline-powered riding tractor or zero turns, these mower types can overheat when exposed to the hot sun. You working under the sun because you want to take care of your grass can also be tiring and exhausting.
Therefore, you should consider your options carefully before cutting your grass midday. There’s also another time of the day when it’s best to avoid mowing your grass, which leads us to the following section.
Night (7 PM – 9 PM)
There’s no other way to say it; nighttime is a terrible time to mow your lawn. It’s one of the best ways to get into the bad book of your neighbor because, trust me, no one would want to come home after a long day’s work only to be disturbed by the noise of a working mower.
Aside from disturbing your neighbors, nighttime is when dews start to get ready to do its job and remember what we said about cutting wet grasses? It’ll lead to uneven cuts, clogged mower deck and blade, and invite plant diseases. You should note that nighttime is one of the best times diseases like fungi thrive.
Visibility is another underrated disadvantage of mowing at night. If your mower doesn’t have headlights, you might need to invest more in getting one. It’s better to avoid using your hard-earned money to buy a headlight because cutting your grass in the evening isn’t worth it anyway.
None of the periods mentioned above betters the others regarding the worst time to mow your grasses. They all will harm your plant in more ways than they’d benefit, and you shouldn’t cut in any of them.
What’s the Best Time to Mow Your Lawn?
Mid-morning (8 AM – 10 AM)
Mid-morning is the best time to mow your lawn for several reasons. Firstly, your neighbors would’ve, most probably, left for work, and if they haven’t, they should be fully awake, and your mower wouldn’t disturb them.
Secondly, the grasses at this time will be in the best position for mowing. The morning sun would’ve dried off the dew, but they won’t be too dry to be hard to cut. You can do your thing on them, and they’ll heal before the sun rises in full force.
Mid-morning is also the best time to work as the weather is calm and you won’t get fatigued quickly. You’ll be amazed at how enjoyable cutting your grasses can be if you mow at this time.
It’s imperative to note that early morning might not be the best time to mow your lawn if it faces north. The shade of your house will make the dew take longer to dry up, exposing it to the risk of cutting wet grass. You can solve this issue by choosing another time of the day to do the work, which brings us to the following section.
Late Afternoon (4 PM – 6 PM)
Late afternoon is another decent time to cut your grass if you can’t do it late morning. The grass is cool and dry, and your mower will have fun cutting it at the correct length if you have good blades.
It will also have time to heal before nightfall. The key here is to ensure you start mowing early so you can finish before sundown.
It’s imperative to note that weather conditions can influence the time you mow your lawn. Some days can be dry and cool, making almost any time in the daylight perfect for mowing. Other days can be rainy, and you won’t be able to cut your grass mid-morning.
Important Factors to Note When Mowing
The time that you mow your lawn is an essential aspect of lawn care, but it’s not the only secret to getting a perfect one. Here are some other crucial tips to help you achieve your dream lawn.
Use Sharp Blades
If you find perfect mid-morning weather to mow your lawn, but all you have is a blunt blade, it’s like mowing at the wrong time. The blades will only tear the grass instead of cutting it, and torn grass is one of the ways infections get into your plants.
Therefore, you should inspect your blades appropriately and ensure that they’re well-sharpened before mowing at any time of the day.
Mulching
Mulching is another feature that can significantly impact the quality of your lawn if you practice it. It’s the recycling of grass clippings to your lawn as you mow. Mulching can prevent soil erosion, control weeds, retains moisture, give solid nutrients, and have many other advantages.
Most modern lawnmowers have mulching capabilities, and you should take advantage of them, which brings us to our last tip.
Use a Good Mower
Your lawn is as good as the type of mower you use in mowing it. It doesn’t matter whether you use a walk-behind or riding mower; ensure you get a good one that can do the job perfectly. A good walk-behind mower is fine for small yards, but consider a riding tractor if your yard is big.
Riding mowers are easier and faster to use. However, you should note that they cost more to own and maintain. Consider buying a zero-turn if you want maximum functionality.
Conclusion
There you have it, the worst and best time to mow your lawn. Mid-morning and late afternoon are the two best times to cut your grasses, while early morning, mid-day, and night are periods you should avoid. Remember to mow under the best practices because a bad mow is also useless to the grasses.
Our schedules can be tight sometimes, and we won’t have time to cut grass during these “recommended” mowing hours. If you fall into this category, your best bet would be to employ a professional to do the job for you.
You only need to pay them some morning, and they’ll do their job of making your lawn look perfect. Most professional trimmers won’t only cut the grass, but they’ll also help you take care of other essential aspects of your lawn care. The key is to ensure that you get one that’s qualified enough for the task.
