Do you have a specific time to mow your lawn? If the answer is no, you should think about it because taking care of your yard is so important (although it might be a bit boring). There are remedies to have your plants in perfect conditions, but what about grass? You should also pay attention to this, even experts say the time of day can actually make a difference. Knowing the right time to mow will help your grass stay healthy, green, and strong. So, let’s get started.
The art of mowing
When you cut your grass, you aren’t just keeping it short so it looks neat. You are also helping the grass grow in a healthy way. If you mow correctly, your grass develops stronger roots, grows thicker, and can fight off weeds better. But if you do it at the wrong time or the wrong way, the grass can get stressed, look messy, or even get sick.
The worst time to mow
Now, let’s explain when you should cut your grass because if you keep doing this at this time, I’m afraid you are ruining it:
- After it rains or after watering: Wet grass sticks to the mower, leaves ugly clumps, and can trap diseases.
- On soggy soil: If the ground is wet, your mower can leave ruts and compact the soil, making it harder for roots to grow.
- During the hottest part of the day: Iif you cut it at noon under strong sun, the grass can get stressed and dry out faster.
An occasional cut when it’s wet won’t destroy your lawn, but don’t make it a habit.
And the best time?
According to experts, the best time to cut your grass is when the grass is dry:
- Mid-morning: around 10 a.m. is perfect because the morning dew has already dried. Cutting wet grass early in the morning is messy and not good for your mower.
- Late afternoon: around 5:30 or 6 p.m. is also good. By then, the sun is less intense, the grass has dried from the day, and your lawn has time to recover before nighttime.
Tips for mowing the right way
Knowing the best time to cut you grass is only one part, but make it look nice is different. So, here are some simple tips to help you do that:
- Keep your mower blades sharp: Dull blades tear the grass instead of cutting it cleanly. Torn grass looks ragged and can get sick more easily. Sharpen your mower blades at least twice each season.
- Mow at the right height: Cutting too short weakens your lawn. Grass that’s too short has shallow roots and dries out fast. Each type of grass has its own ideal height. For example, St. Augustine grass in some parts of the Southeast should be mowed to about 2.5–3 inches. In hotter areas, it does better at 3.25–4 inches. This is great when you have mixed grass because it will develop stronger and deeper roots. That means it can pull water from deeper in the soil, survive droughts better, and resist stress. A thicker lawn also makes it harder for weeds to grow, which means less work for you later.
- Don’t cut too much at once: A good rule is the “one-third rule.” Don’t mow more than one-third of the grass blade at a time. Cutting too much stresses the grass and makes it harder for it to recover.
If you follow all the previous simple steps, your lawn will thank you with healthy, green grass all season long. So grab your mower at the right time, and keep your yard looking awesome!