Cutting the grass is one of the most routine jobs you complete in the yard during the warm seasons. Not only does regular lawn mowing help ensure a strong root system, but it can also encourage more growth and create better tolerance for drought-like conditions.
But is there an optimal time of day you should cut the grass to maintain a lush, healthy lawn?
The Best Times to Mow
If you have some flexibility in your schedule, your lawn can really benefit from a well-timed cut. Mid-morning (between 8 and 10 a.m.) tends to be the best time of day for mowing your lawn. It allows enough time for dew to dry, resulting in strong, perky blades of grades, while avoiding the hottest periods of the day.
You can also opt to mow during the late afternoon (between 4 and 6 p.m.), as this avoids the main heat of the day but allows time for your grass to recover before nightfall. Cooling temperatures during this time of day will reduce stress on you and your grass. It also allows your grass a few hours of post-cut recovery time. However, be mindful that mowing too close to nightfall (between 6 and 8 p.m.) will not give your grass enough time to recover, making your lawn more susceptible to fungus and turf disease.
The Worst Times to Mow
It’s recommended to avoid cutting your grass in the early morning and midday. Even though heat and humidity are typically reduced at daybreak, mowing too early on wet grass can leave ruts and cause grass to clump, settle, clog your mower and damage your lawn’s roots. Meanwhile, mowing your lawn during the hottest part of the day, under the beating sun, can be tiring for you and for your grass, as it can accelerate moisture loss.
Regardless of when you cut the grass, make sure your mower blades are sharp and in good condition to deliver the cleanest cut to your lawn. Also be mindful of the cutting height of your mower, as cutting your lawn too short can expose new grass shoots to direct sun and deter growth.
“Alexa, ask Troy-Bilt when I should mow.”
Between soccer games, grocery shopping and rainy days, it can be hard to find time to mow. Let Troy-Bilt’s Voice Assistant Skills, for Amazon Alexa or Google Home, help you find the best time based on your schedule and the forecast, and then add it to your calendar. If the weather changes, the skills can also help you reschedule. What’s more, the Voice Assistant skills can also help you schedule twice yearly maintenance reminders.
