When Is The Best Time Of Day To Mow Your Lawn? An Expert Weighs In

Mowing your grass is one of those yard chores that has to be done, no matter what the weather. But does when you cut it matter? It turns out there actually is a best time to mow your lawn.

The Best Time of Day To Mow Your Lawn

 Ideally, “it’s better to mow when the canopy, or grass leaves, are dry,” says Clint Waltz, PhD, turfgrass extension specialist at the University of Georgia. “That means after the dew has dried, which is usually around mid-morning, even in the humid Southeast.” It's also okay to mow in the late afternoon, say around 5:30 or 6 PM.  

Of course, life happens, and we don’t always have flexible schedules. But will you cause damage if you don’t mow at the optimal time of day? “From a disease reduction standpoint, it doesn’t matter much,” says Waltz. “The time of day you mow isn’t a disease management control strategy.”

The Worst Time of Day To Mow Your Lawn

Avoid mowing immediately after it’s rained or you’ve watered your lawn. Mowing wet grass is messy, sticking to your mower and leaving behind clumps on your lawn that can harbor viruses and look bad. Also, any kind of mower (riding, walk behind, or push types) can make ruts in wet ground, and you’re more apt to compact the soil when it’s wet, says Waltz. Bottom line: While the occasional wet cut isn’t going to destroy your lawn, just don’t make a habit of it.

Tips for Proper Lawn Mowing

While you’re at it, follow a few other good mowing practices. First, sharpen your blades twice a season so you make clean cuts instead of tearing grass blades. A clean cut looks better, but research shows it also makes grass less susceptible to disease and other stressors.

Also, make sure you’re mowing at the correct height. “By mowing at the proper height, you’ll optimize the canopy density, root depth and volume,” says Waltz. “When you have a more extensive root system, turf can pull water from a greater depth to withstand drought and other stressors better.” A dense lawn also makes it harder for weed seeds to take hold.

The proper height varies depending on the type of grass you have and where you live, says Waltz. For example, in some areas of the Southeast, St. Augustine grass should be mowed at 2 ½ to 3 inches, while in hotter regions, it should be mowed to 3 ¼ to 4 inches. In mixed turf, mow to the height for the predominant species in your lawn. If you don’t know what kind of grass you have or how high to mow, check with your local university coop extension service (find yours here).