Mowing Your Lawn At The Wrong Time Of Day Could Be Disastrous For Your Mower

Having a neat, healthy lawn requires regular mowing, but that doesn't mean you should drag your mower out at any old time. Choosing the right time of day to cut your grass is crucial for a variety of reasons, including maintaining the health and appearance of your lawn and staying safe as you mow. However, for many homeowners, the potential damage that mowing at the wrong time can do to your mower — and the repair costs it may require afterward — may be one of the most persuasive reasons to think more carefully about your timing.

There are ways to make mowing your lawn easier, but trying to avoid the worst of a summer day's heat and getting it over with first thing in the morning is a big mistake. Not only do you risk the wrath of the entire neighborhood by mowing so early, but you can also work your mower too hard by running it when the grass is still wet. Waiting just a few hours can ensure your lawn looks pristine and your mower stays in working order.

Mowing in the early morning, between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m., may seem like a good idea because it's still cool. However, it can actually be one of the worst times to mow because there's usually still dew on the grass, which forms overnight when the water vapor in the warm air lands on the cool ground as the temperatures drop. Mowing wet grass is never recommended because it can lead to fungal disease, soil compaction, and other health issues for your lawn, but it is a particularly bad idea if you want to prevent damage to your mower. Wet grass clumps very easily, which can cause clogs in the mower's blades, collection bag, or discharge chute. These clogs put strain on the engine, forcing it to work harder. In some cases, it can even cause a mower to overheat.

Wet clumps of grass can also stick to the underside of your mower's deck, which makes cleaning it after mowing more difficult. Regular exposure to moisture, like early morning dew, can be very damaging to a mower's metal components, including the blades. It can cause rust and dull the blades, so the mower doesn't cut as cleanly and efficiently. The lifespan of the blade and motor can be significantly shortened by mowing in the early morning, resulting in more frequent maintenance chores or the need to replace parts sooner than expected.

If you want to avoid problems with your mower, early morning mowing is out. So when should you mow your lawn? Waiting just a few hours until mid-morning can actually make a big difference. Between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., the dew has had time to evaporate, but it's still not too hot yet, making it an ideal time to cut the grass. These conditions are also better for the overall health of your lawn, so you'll get the added benefit of better-looking grass.

Don't worry if you're not a morning person, though. The late afternoon, between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., is another good option. The dew on the grass is long gone, and the worst of the day's heat is over. If the weather is still a bit warm for you, though, consider some methods for mowing your lawn more efficiently, so you can finish more quickly. Late afternoon mowing also puts less stress on the grass and gives it time to recover before the next day.