What’s the Best Time for Lawn Mowing?
Posted July 17, 2017 by Jacks Small Engines 45 CommentsWhat time do you normally mow your lawn?
Figuring out the best time of day to mow your lawn is a tricky endeavor. Its a decision that not only should be based on when its most comfortable for you, but more importantly when its more comfortable for your lawn. Below we explain what the best and worst times are to mow your lawn.
Loading ... Loading ...Best Times
8 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Between the hours of 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. the sun is higher in the sky allowing the grass to dry from the early morning dew. Its still early enough before the heat of the day, the sun won’t be baking on you.
4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
The second best time time to mow your lawn is between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. By this time the temperature has cooled down, which is less stressful on your lawn. Cutting in the late afternoon also helps limit fungal diseases that can affect your grass.
Worst Times
6 a.m. – 8 a.m.
This is one of the worst times to mow your lawn, the grass will still be wet from the morning dew which can clog up your mower. If the ground is too wet your lawn mower can leave tracks. This not only looks bad, but it can potentially damage your lawn.
2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
This is the hottest part of the day, and the heat will be hard on the mower. The heat will also cause turf stress on your lawn. You’ll basically be cooking in the sun as your mowing.
If its possible try to mow during the times we listed as being the best times. Not only will you thank yourself but your lawn will be thanking you as well.
45 Comments
Corbett
on July 20, 2017 at 10:34 amI try to mow Thursday evenings, so the yard’s looking all good for the weekend. It also gives the grass clippings some time to settle so they aren’t tracked around if you have guests visit.
Notice: Undefined index: max-depth in D:\Sites\blog.jackssmallengines.com\wp-content\themes\Jacks\functions.php on line 115
Jami Melani
on July 20, 2017 at 11:26 amIn areas where the humidity is high, the grass is still wet at 10:00 AM and beyond many times. This makes mowing late afternoon/ early evening the best option.
Notice: Undefined index: max-depth in D:\Sites\blog.jackssmallengines.com\wp-content\themes\Jacks\functions.php on line 115
Wayne Dore'
on July 20, 2017 at 11:46 amYes indeed here in South Louisiana the humidity is terrible, and lately it’s been raining almost every day for the past month.
Notice: Undefined index: max-depth in D:\Sites\blog.jackssmallengines.com\wp-content\themes\Jacks\functions.php on line 115
Wayne Dore'
on July 20, 2017 at 11:44 amLately I have to mow when ever I get the chance. We have been in a rain every day pattern for almost a month now, so sometimes I’m having to mow two or three times to get it to the length I like and to make it look nice.
Notice: Undefined index: max-depth in D:\Sites\blog.jackssmallengines.com\wp-content\themes\Jacks\functions.php on line 115
Scott Lambert
on July 20, 2017 at 11:49 amI agree with Corbett above. I try for Thursday and then if not able, it’s Friday morning.
Notice: Undefined index: max-depth in D:\Sites\blog.jackssmallengines.com\wp-content\themes\Jacks\functions.php on line 115
Ken
on July 20, 2017 at 11:50 amBest time around here is when the wife says it needs mowing!
Notice: Undefined index: max-depth in D:\Sites\blog.jackssmallengines.com\wp-content\themes\Jacks\functions.php on line 115
Jerry
on May 16, 2020 at 10:07 amSo your wife wears the pants huh?
Notice: Undefined index: max-depth in D:\Sites\blog.jackssmallengines.com\wp-content\themes\Jacks\functions.php on line 115
Ron
on July 20, 2017 at 11:56 amI can’t really pin down common time or day. Between and mowing and lawn tractor mowing and trimming, it takes 6-8 hours to do my yard. As far as what day I mow, it depends on the weather and what is on my or my wife’s schedule for any given day.
Notice: Undefined index: max-depth in D:\Sites\blog.jackssmallengines.com\wp-content\themes\Jacks\functions.php on line 115
Michael Voulgaris
on July 20, 2017 at 12:01 pmObviously, you have never mowed your lawn in Texas. Some of the hottest part of the day is between 4:00 PM & 6:00PM. Between 6:30 PM & 7:30 PM is better because there is still enough sunlight.
Notice: Undefined index: max-depth in D:\Sites\blog.jackssmallengines.com\wp-content\themes\Jacks\functions.php on line 115
Bob Rodgers
on July 20, 2017 at 12:24 pmAll though I’m retired I still like to have it done for the weekend. Any time it’s not too hot and the blades are sharp is good for me..
Notice: Undefined index: max-depth in D:\Sites\blog.jackssmallengines.com\wp-content\themes\Jacks\functions.php on line 115
Dan
on July 20, 2017 at 12:28 pmI mow when i have the time. Been out in the rain more times that i can count.
Notice: Undefined index: max-depth in D:\Sites\blog.jackssmallengines.com\wp-content\themes\Jacks\functions.php on line 115
Brady Allison
on July 20, 2017 at 12:32 pmUltimately, if you have a busy schedule, when you are free to do it is the deciding factor.
Notice: Undefined index: max-depth in D:\Sites\blog.jackssmallengines.com\wp-content\themes\Jacks\functions.php on line 115
Michael Roach
on July 20, 2017 at 1:03 pmI have 6 acres to mow so it’s pretty much whenever it get enough time to do it. It gets really hot here around noon and that limits my window.
Notice: Undefined index: max-depth in D:\Sites\blog.jackssmallengines.com\wp-content\themes\Jacks\functions.php on line 115
Brocephus
on July 20, 2017 at 1:17 pmI typically mow according to your recommendations. However what I find to be the most beneficial is the height at which you mow. I mow 5.5 acres a week. I cut at 3 inches and the morning dew keeps the grass green along with its 3 inch height which provides more shade for the soil. My neighbors mow anywhere from 1.5 to 2 inches and there grass is brown. Must be something to my logic. Oklahoma summers are quite hot and the rain is seldom. The prevailing grass in this area is Bermuda, which is very heat tolerant to begin with. Hope this helps.
Notice: Undefined index: max-depth in D:\Sites\blog.jackssmallengines.com\wp-content\themes\Jacks\functions.php on line 115
BG
on July 20, 2017 at 1:34 pmI mow from 7AM to 10AM, not one of your choices. A lot depends on the type of turf and soil you have and wind conditions. During the summer in Texas I want the grass (St. Augustine) to rest for the blades seal before it gets cooked during the day and never had a problem with it clogging my mower.
Notice: Undefined index: max-depth in D:\Sites\blog.jackssmallengines.com\wp-content\themes\Jacks\functions.php on line 115
Emil
on July 20, 2017 at 1:40 pmI usually have to cut the lawn, (the acre and a half) starting at noon or 1PM, after the morning showers stop and the grass drys out, during the rainy season. If I start too early, the grass is still too wet. If I start too late, I’ll be cutting when the afternoon showers begin. I live in Florida on the Gulf Coast and we get rain either in the morning or the afternoon, and sometimes twice a day, so it gets tricky. If you have to cut during the mid-day, be sure to use sunscreen liberally, keep hydrated and have a nice wide brim hat on! We can’t always pick the time we’d like to cut, the best time is when we CAN cut! Oh, I’m retired, so I have the luxury of being able to cut almost anytime except when I want to go fishing, nothing interferes with that!
Notice: Undefined index: max-depth in D:\Sites\blog.jackssmallengines.com\wp-content\themes\Jacks\functions.php on line 115
Dan boguse
on July 20, 2017 at 1:47 pmMy lawn grows so fast that I mow on Fridays and Mondays in the morning. I stager the mowing from back and forth to mowing on an angle just for the good looks.
Notice: Undefined index: max-depth in D:\Sites\blog.jackssmallengines.com\wp-content\themes\Jacks\functions.php on line 115
John Keaney
on July 20, 2017 at 2:01 pmLiving in the south, I like to mow after the sun starts to go down and the grass is dry. I don’t have a special day. That depends on the weather and the length of the grass. Iam retired so the day is not important.
Notice: Undefined index: max-depth in D:\Sites\blog.jackssmallengines.com\wp-content\themes\Jacks\functions.php on line 115
Don A in Pennsyltucky
on July 20, 2017 at 2:03 pmI mow when I have to and have time to. If it’s too wet and we get more rain it will probably be too long by the time it’s dry enough. And I rarely do the whole property at one shot because I have other things. If it were all white clover that would suit me just fine because it doesn’t get too long and the bees like it. As for the day of the week, well gee that’s not a consideration in itself, but it does have an effect on what other things I can do on certain days.
Notice: Undefined index: max-depth in D:\Sites\blog.jackssmallengines.com\wp-content\themes\Jacks\functions.php on line 115
Joseph Dagwan
on July 20, 2017 at 2:17 pmI find with lots of shade,the grass in my yard is still wet in some areas at 10am,so 6 or 7 pm works best for me.
Notice: Undefined index: max-depth in D:\Sites\blog.jackssmallengines.com\wp-content\themes\Jacks\functions.php on line 115
James Fallon
on July 20, 2017 at 2:25 pmYou gave nothing for 5 – 8pm.
Notice: Undefined index: max-depth in D:\Sites\blog.jackssmallengines.com\wp-content\themes\Jacks\functions.php on line 115
dennis
on July 20, 2017 at 2:48 pm8am-10am “the sun is higher in the sky”, well, yeah, but in our area the dew has still not left this early.
4pm-6pm “the temperature has cooled down” just where does this occur? The hottest time of the day is 3pm so, yeah, I guess that it has cooled somewhat. Obviously the writer does not live in the less moderate locals in the country.
Notice: Undefined index: max-depth in D:\Sites\blog.jackssmallengines.com\wp-content\themes\Jacks\functions.php on line 115
David D. Allen
on July 20, 2017 at 10:23 pmI’m with you dennis, I am in Central Ms. and right now it’s nine o’clock PM and the ambient temp. is 88*. If I wait until dark, the grass will be wet with evening dew.
Notice: Undefined index: max-depth in D:\Sites\blog.jackssmallengines.com\wp-content\themes\Jacks\functions.php on line 115
Jon
on July 20, 2017 at 2:48 pmI mow.when grass is dry no matter what time it is
Notice: Undefined index: max-depth in D:\Sites\blog.jackssmallengines.com\wp-content\themes\Jacks\functions.php on line 115
Keith
on July 20, 2017 at 3:31 pmI always try to mow every Thursday morning, so it looks nice for the weekend. In case you or your neighbors have company no one has to hear a lawnmower running while they are trying to visit, plus it gives me and my family free time to go do things on the weekend and not have to worry about mowing the lawn
Notice: Undefined index: max-depth in D:\Sites\blog.jackssmallengines.com\wp-content\themes\Jacks\functions.php on line 115
David D. Allen
on July 20, 2017 at 10:26 pmHa, ha, I also mow on Thursday. My neighbors mow around 1 or 2 PM on Sat. or Sun. This is about the time me and mine are trying to enjoy an afternoon in the pool, a**holes. Thanks for practicing courtesy anyway. I wish others would comply.
Notice: Undefined index: max-depth in D:\Sites\blog.jackssmallengines.com\wp-content\themes\Jacks\functions.php on line 115
steve
on July 20, 2017 at 3:33 pmI always liked mowing on Thursday , leaves the weekend free for more fun things and the lawn looks good through the weekend .
Notice: Undefined index: max-depth in D:\Sites\blog.jackssmallengines.com\wp-content\themes\Jacks\functions.php on line 115
David D. Allen
on July 20, 2017 at 10:19 pmThat’s me, Thursday, after work, is great for me. Wednesday evening is Gym night and if I cut Thursday it leaves me with that part of my yard maintenance knocked out so I have the weekend to do something else.
Notice: Undefined index: max-depth in D:\Sites\blog.jackssmallengines.com\wp-content\themes\Jacks\functions.php on line 115
jason
on July 20, 2017 at 3:40 pmIn Iowa after 10 seems to be the time. days like today the grass was still damp at noon . also with the rain and humidity I find myself mowing 2 times a week. other info with a Husqvarna mz52 with a Kawasaki with mowing approx. 3 acres on a farm I do not use ethanol in my small engine’s I get a hour and fifteen minutes more on a tank of gas. I check this at least 2-3 times a year.
Notice: Undefined index: max-depth in D:\Sites\blog.jackssmallengines.com\wp-content\themes\Jacks\functions.php on line 115
Richard Schultz
on July 20, 2017 at 4:21 pmI agree with some of the other people,in my area 8-10 AM is still wet from the dew and I have 6 lawns I take care of so the mornings are good but when my time and weather allows I do them and my own usually 2 times a week, Friday morn or when tine allows me at nite after supper.
Notice: Undefined index: max-depth in D:\Sites\blog.jackssmallengines.com\wp-content\themes\Jacks\functions.php on line 115
wilbert swaller
on July 20, 2017 at 5:00 pmwhy is my chain saw hard to start can hardly pull the rope????
Notice: Undefined index: max-depth in D:\Sites\blog.jackssmallengines.com\wp-content\themes\Jacks\functions.php on line 115
Bama Bill
on July 20, 2017 at 5:25 pmHere in Alabama most mow as low as they can! Bahaia grass is recommended to be mowed at least 2″. I us MSMA and kill all the damn Bahaia and plant Bermuda. It looks like a carpet when mowed, can’t even find the dirt. Keep my blades razor sharp and balanced. My 10 year old lawn tractor still makes the lawn look like a putting green. Remove deck at least once a year to clean and paint, replace any bearings, belts, my blades last about 10 years.
Notice: Undefined index: max-depth in D:\Sites\blog.jackssmallengines.com\wp-content\themes\Jacks\functions.php on line 115
Bama Bill
on July 20, 2017 at 5:27 pmBTW, the MSMA mixed for Bermuda will kill Bahaia, which is twice as strong as for Bahaia. Just read the label and enjoy mowing only twice a month!
Notice: Undefined index: max-depth in D:\Sites\blog.jackssmallengines.com\wp-content\themes\Jacks\functions.php on line 115
David D. Allen
on July 20, 2017 at 10:14 pmThe less you cut the healthier your grass will be. When the grass blade has a chance to grow higher, the roots will fan out further and product a better stand of grass so I generally cut at 4 or 5 inches on Thursday evening. On special weekends, i.e. holidays, family parties, I will cut down to 3″ as this looks a little neater, but I try not to make a habit of it and never do it during dry weather. The rule of thumb is to never cut the grass to less than 2/3rds its height but I never cut below 3″. Some yards that suffer from uneven ground like holes or ruts must be treated differently. I try to read the yard and mow in directions that will no accentuate the imperfections of the ground. Mowing the lawn should be a little more complicated than just back and forth, following the borders. Any bad holes or ruts I may have in my yard are easily fixed with river sand I harvest from the surrounding creeks. Jason has a point. Ethanol gas does not contain as much BTU’s as regular gas which makes it less efficient and will sour quicker in the tank of your lawn tools. My main rule: Don’t stress over your grass height, it usually looks good enough from the street and you NEVER want to OVER CUT.
Notice: Undefined index: max-depth in D:\Sites\blog.jackssmallengines.com\wp-content\themes\Jacks\functions.php on line 115
Tom
on July 20, 2017 at 10:15 pmI mow my grass when it’s dry. If it’s 8:00am or 6:00pm I really don’t care and I pretty sure the grass doesn’t care. I mow 68 lawns a week and I can’t mow at a specific time of the day or week. You try to mow when it’s dry because if it’s wet the mower wheels can slip on the grass and do damage.
Notice: Undefined index: max-depth in D:\Sites\blog.jackssmallengines.com\wp-content\themes\Jacks\functions.php on line 115
Joe Bob Washington
on July 21, 2017 at 12:16 amIn Detroit I usually mow around 11pm.. It is easier on the mower and I can still put down some beers. My neighbors have never complained. The noise does not bother them. I have about an acre if you include the vacant lots surrounding me. My Deere sx 75 rips through everything.
Notice: Undefined index: max-depth in D:\Sites\blog.jackssmallengines.com\wp-content\themes\Jacks\functions.php on line 115
Joe Bob Washington
on July 21, 2017 at 12:17 amIn Detroit I usually mow around 11pm.. It is easier on the mower and I can still put down some beers. My neighbors have never complained. The noise does not bother them. I have about an acre if you include the vacant lots surrounding me. My Deere sx 75 rips through everything.
Notice: Undefined index: max-depth in D:\Sites\blog.jackssmallengines.com\wp-content\themes\Jacks\functions.php on line 115
Max
on July 21, 2017 at 2:09 amI mow after the sun goes down, usually around 10:00 p.m. That way the heat of the day has gone down and the humidity is fairly low. In this part of the country the humidity stays around 70 to 90 % in the summer. Usually I mow on Sunday nights so the neighbors will have something to talk about. I use LED outdoor lights to mow by. When I turn all of them on they will produce enough light that it is almost the same as daylight. As others have said, I also Do Not use any type of Ethanol additive gasoline.
Notice: Undefined index: max-depth in D:\Sites\blog.jackssmallengines.com\wp-content\themes\Jacks\functions.php on line 115
John
on July 21, 2017 at 9:41 amI usually mow 9 to 11 am.
Mow every 10 days or more. Saves on time, gas, wear on mower , and reduces pollution.
Notice: Undefined index: max-depth in D:\Sites\blog.jackssmallengines.com\wp-content\themes\Jacks\functions.php on line 115
nmp-co
on January 20, 2018 at 6:51 amgood grass when it’s dry. If it’s 8:00am or 6:00pm I really don’t care and I pretty sure the grass doesn’t care. I mow 68 lawns a week and I can’t mow at a specific time of the day or week. You try to mow wh
Notice: Undefined index: max-depth in D:\Sites\blog.jackssmallengines.com\wp-content\themes\Jacks\functions.php on line 115
ken
on July 12, 2018 at 9:58 amwhen my nub next door is sleeping
Notice: Undefined index: max-depth in D:\Sites\blog.jackssmallengines.com\wp-content\themes\Jacks\functions.php on line 115
Victor
on November 7, 2018 at 12:17 amOn my neck of the woods, it is smart to not be out mowing your lawn when the sun is out. That 100 degree weather is no joke! lol
Notice: Undefined index: max-depth in D:\Sites\blog.jackssmallengines.com\wp-content\themes\Jacks\functions.php on line 115
Lawn Service
on February 17, 2020 at 11:38 pmIt’s interesting to see the concern for the balance between dew and heat from the sun. It seems like mornings could be better for me since it doesn’t tend to get really hot until midday. But I’d rather make sure there’s no more dew, so I’d look to mow in late afternoon from 4-6.
Notice: Undefined index: max-depth in D:\Sites\blog.jackssmallengines.com\wp-content\themes\Jacks\functions.php on line 115
sam p
on March 21, 2020 at 10:28 pmGreat article! Thanks for posting.
Notice: Undefined index: max-depth in D:\Sites\blog.jackssmallengines.com\wp-content\themes\Jacks\functions.php on line 115
Kate Sloane
on April 13, 2020 at 11:42 amWe are all for mid-morning mowings!
Notice: Undefined index: max-depth in D:\Sites\blog.jackssmallengines.com\wp-content\themes\Jacks\functions.php on line 115