Last Updated on September 3, 2025 by Duncan

Most people are used to following a specific plan every day. And for you to keep healthy grass you must adhere to a set plan, which includes mowing it at the appropriate time.

Are you wondering what is the best time to mow your lawn? The best time is mid-morning or late afternoon.

At this point you must be wondering why you have to mow your lawn at this time, right? Well, ideally, you want the following circumstances when mowing your lawn:

Dry grass. Mowing wet grass is a terrible idea for a variety of reasons, including uneven cuts, increased susceptibility to lawn diseases, soil compaction, and potential mower damage. Walking on a wet lawn may also provide a slipping hazard.

Cooler temperatures. Mowing when it’s extremely hot stresses out your turf. It can also create “heat tracking,” or traffic-related damage to heat-stressed lawn.

Allow enough time for the grass to recover. Grass requires time to recuperate from mowing before nightfall. Grass that has been cut at night is more susceptible to lawn illnesses, especially when dew forms before it can heal.

Why is it healthy to mow your lawn during mid-morning (8 am -10 am)?

Mid-morning mowing is best for your grass. It satisfies all of the requirements we discussed earlier: dry grass, milder temps, and adequate time to recover.

Working outside in the midday sun also reduces the risk of heat exhaustion or sunburn. For maximum results, mow your grass at this time of day whenever possible.

But here’s the problem: not everyone can mow their lawns during this period, especially on weekdays. It’s OK on weekends – unless you’d rather sleep in – but what if your grass needs to be mowed throughout the week? If you work a 9-to-5 job, you’re unlikely to spend your valuable morning hours mowing the grass.

In such a case you should simply hire a professional to help you out.

Benefits of mowing your lawn late in the afternoon (4 pm to 6 pm)

By 4 p.m., it will most likely be cool enough to go outside and mow the lawn. If you mow late in the afternoon, you should avoid the hottest parts of the day while also ensuring that your grass is completely dry.

Cutting grass in the late afternoon also gives the grass time to recover before mold and disease set in as temperatures drop at night.

Late afternoon mowing is an excellent option for homeowners who are too busy in the middle of the morning.

Why is it bad to mow too early in the morning (before 8 am)?

Mowing early in the morning allows you to beat the heat and gives your grass plenty of time to recover before night falls again. However, your lawn is typically dewy in the early morning hours.

Your mower may have a tough time mowing. Mowing damp grass will shred it rather than cut it, providing an open invitation to disease and fungus.

Mowing before 8 a.m. on weekdays is also not regarded good neighborly behavior. However, there is still controversy about what time is regarded appropriate for the weekend.

Some say after 9 a.m. is fine, while others advise wait until 10 a.m. You should keep track of what time your neighbors start mowing on weekends and follow suit.

Dangers of mowing your lawn midday to early afternoon (10 am to 4 pm)

Despite the fact that the grass is dry and has had enough time to recuperate before dusk, cutting your grass between lunchtime and early afternoon is not wise.

Midday and early afternoon are the hottest periods of day, which is harmful for grass. You should know that mowing plant shoots in hot, sunny, and dry weather severely traumatizes the entire plant body, and the entire vital process is altered.

Mowing at certain times of day is less damaging to the grass than mowing during a drought, but it still has an impact. When plant shoots (such as grass leaves) are mowed during extremely hot weather, they lose water, wilt, and cease developing.

Stepping on your lawn in extreme heat, particularly during drought conditions, can also harm your grass in other ways. It gets even worse if you ride your lawnmower across the lawn.

Fortunately, heat tracking is reversible. Rain, irrigation, and lower temperatures will help your grass recover.

Mowing the grass in the early afternoon or midday can potentially induce sunburns and dehydration. Worse, there is the risk of heat exhaustion.

To be on the safe side always use appropriate sun protection (don’t forget your sunscreen). You also should drink plenty of water if you mow your lawn during this time.

Why should you avoid mowing your lawn late in the evening (6 pm to 8 pm)

If you’re breaking out the lawn mower once dusk falls – or worse, when nightfall arrives – it should be a last resort. In general, after 6 p.m., it is too late to trim your grass. Of course, the time can fluctuate depending on the season.

Your lawn needs time to recover and mend before it turns dark and dew forms. If your lawn does not have enough time to recuperate correctly, you risk exposing your recently cut grass to diseases.

Which is the best season to mow your lawn?

The optimal time to mow a lawn is from April to September. This is because this six-month period, from spring to early fall, is when the lawn grows the fastest and requires the most attention.

You should mow your lawn tall until fall. This way you get your summer grass ready for fall and winter dormancy. Cut the grass blades at around 2.5 to 3 inches high to maintain the lawn stronger and to reduce the likelihood of mold, fungal, or pest problems.

Which is the worst season to mow the lawn?

The worst time to mow a lawn is from November to February.

This four-month period includes all of winter and a portion of the fall. Mowing the lawn is no longer essential because it has ceased growing. Mowing at this period may even harm the dormant lawn.

The final half of the summer is also a bad time to mow—from a safety sense. The hottest days of the year begin following the summer solstice. If you don’t like being in the hot sun, you should consider hiring a professional to help you out.

FAQs

Is it safe to cut grass in the morning dew?

No, it is not acceptable to trim grass with morning dew. When you cut grass with morning dew, the mower’s wheels leave grooves in the lawn, the grass does not stand upright for cutting, and the grass clippings do not easily bag. Mowing a lawn is usually best done while the grass is dry.

Can you mow a wet lawn with an electric mower?

Wet grass should never be mowed using an electric mower. Wet grass is heavy and flat, so the mower cannot pick it up. Wet grass doesn’t mulch or bag properly. Both corded and cordless electric mower manufacturers advise against using them on wet or damp grass.