The Best Time of Day to Mow Your Lawn for Healthy Grass, Experts Say

Everyone wants a lush, healthy lawn—the trick is knowing how to achieve it. Keeping a lawn full and green isn’t just about watering and fertilizing; even something as simple as when you mow can affect how well your grass grows.

So when is the best time of day to grab the lawn mower and get to trimming? We asked industry experts to weigh in.

The Best Time to Mow

The best time of day to mow your lawn is late afternoon. Your grass should be dry by this time, and it shouldn't be in direct sunlight.

"You never want to mow a wet lawn," says Craig Elworthy, founder of Lawnbright. "It invites disease and can cause clumping underneath the mower deck." Your lawn will most likely be wet in the early morning from dew, so it's best to wait until later on.

Direct sunlight, meanwhile, can stress freshly cut grass. Since cutting the grass already creates stress, it's best to avoid additional stressors. For most climates, sunlight won't be as intense in the late afternoon and early evening.

Mowing under these moderate conditions helps preserve the plant's energy, which in turn supports stronger root development, says Matthew Koch, research and development fellow at Scotts Miracle-Gro.

"When you cut grass cleanly, and at the right time, you reduce stress on the plant and allow it to maintain the density that's essential for a healthy lawn," he adds.

When Not to Do It

The worst time to cut your lawn is usually in the early morning, since, as noted above, the grass may still be wet with dew.

Mid-day is also best avoided. "The sun is at peak strength and the lawn is trying to get through it," says Elworthy, "If you mow it, you add more stress, which can cause the lawn to shut down and enter a state of dormancy to protect itself."

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Tips and Tricks

• Ready to start mowing? Our experts share a few quick tips:
• Clear sticks, stones, and any other debris before you start. This will make mowing easier and safer.
• Make sure your lawn mower blade is sharp. "Clean cuts are easier on grass than torn blades," says Brian Shaunfield, a Lowe's store manager. Shredded leaf tips can also be an entry point for diseases.
• Never cut more than one-third of the grass at once. "While cutting the grass shorter might seem like a way to mow less often, it actually weakens the lawn and exposes the soil, creating ideal conditions for weeds to grow," says Koch. "Mowing shorter also reduces root length and overall drought tolerance of the lawn."
• Leave clippings behind on the lawn for mulching or grass cycling, says Elworthy—the clippings contain nutrients, so they act as a natural fertilizer.