What Is the Best Time of Day to Cut Grass in UK? (When NOT to Mow)

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Updated:1/27/2023

Are you mowing your lawn at the right time? If not, you could be damaging the grass.

The time of day that you cut your grass matters. Mowing grass when it’s wet with dew or during the midday heat may harm it.

The best time of day to mow grass in the UK is mid-morning (between  8 and 10 am) or late afternoon (4 to 6 pm). During these hours, your lawn will be neither wet with dew nor stressed by the midday heat. That said, you may have to adapt your mowing schedule according to the weather.

Read on to find out more about the best and worst times of day to cut grass. We’ll also look at when you can legally mow the lawn in the UK.

best time of day to cut grass in uk

Image credit: @pittwatermowing

When can you start mowing the lawn in the morning?

You can start mowing the lawn as early as 8 am, provided it hasn’t rained during the night and the grass isn’t wet. Cutting grass earlier than that is not a good idea because the grass is wet with dew and can clog your mower. You’ll also leave tracks on the lawn.

In general, an acceptable time to cut grass is from 8 am on weekdays and 10 am at weekends. These hours provide optimal mowing conditions while allowing you to do your work without annoying your neighbours. That said, if the grass is still wet during mid-morning, you can leave the mowing until late afternoon.

What time can I legally mow the lawn?

According to the Environmental Protection Act 1990, mowing your lawn between 11 pm and 7 am is considered antisocial. While there are no specific regulations concerning lawn mowing times, mowing your lawn at night or before 7 am could result in a fine because of the resulting noise pollution.

Cutting grass during this interval isn’t healthy for your lawn either. The grass will be wet with dew, making a neat cut more difficult. And since it won’t have time to recover before the overnight dew falls over it, it can become more vulnerable to fungal diseases.

What’s the best time of day to mow the lawn?

Between 8 and 10 am is usually the best time of day to cut grass. By this time, the morning dew should have evaporated while the heat of the day hasn’t yet set in, allowing you to cut the grass without stressing it. The second-best time to mow the lawn is in the late afternoon, between 4 and 6 pm.

Mowing lawn in the sun isn’t a good idea as it stresses the grass while it tries to retain moisture. It may lead to it drying up and turning brown. It can also overheat your mower. Plus, working in the heat is no fun. It could even lead to heatstroke.

best time of day to mow the lawn

Image credit: @mikedaygm

What time should you NOT mow the lawn?

You don’t want to mow your lawn during the midday heat or in the evening as this can stress and damage it. Nor should you mow it between 11 pm and 7 am, as it may disturb your neighbours and get you fined. You also want to avoid cutting grass whenever it is wet.

The worst hours to mow your lawn are between 11 pm and 7 am, 11 am to 4 pm, and 6 to 11 pm. If you want to mow your lawn during these hours, it’s best to leave it until the following day, mid-morning or late afternoon is best.

What time can I cut my grass on a Sunday?

Avoid cutting your lawn on a Sunday so that you won’t disturb your neighbours. If you must cut the grass, do it after 10 am and before the midday heat sets in. For more flexibility, use a push-reel lawn mower or an electric robot mower. These produce less noise than conventional gas or electric mowers. See our guide on legal time to mow the lawn.

Can you cut grass in the sun?

Cutting grass in the sun is possible, but it’s important to consider a few factors. Mowing the lawn in sunny conditions has both advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages:

  1. Faster Drying: Sunlight helps to dry the dew or moisture on the grass, making it easier to mow and reducing the risk of clumping.
  2. Clear Visibility: Cutting grass in the sun provides better visibility, allowing you to see the cutting lines more clearly and ensuring a more even cut.
  3. Convenient Timing: Mowing during daylight hours can be more convenient for homeowners with busy schedules.

Disadvantages:

  1. Heat Stress: Mowing in the sun can expose both you and the grass to high temperatures. It’s important to stay hydrated and take breaks to prevent dehydration and overheating.
  2. Increased Grass Stress: Cutting grass during peak sun hours can subject the grass to stress, potentially impacting its health and growth.
  3. Risk of Scalping: If the grass is dry and brittle, there’s a higher chance of scalping the lawn, especially if the mower blades are set too low.

What Are Some Tips for Mowing in the Sun?

  1. Hydrate: Drink plenty of water before, during, and after mowing to stay hydrated.
  2. Protect Yourself: Wear sunscreen, a hat, and lightweight, breathable clothing to shield yourself from the sun’s rays.
  3. Set the Mower Height: Adjust the mower height to avoid cutting the grass too short, as longer grass can withstand heat stress better.
  4. Plan Your Timing: If possible, mow during the cooler parts of the day, such as early morning or late afternoon, to minimize heat stress on the grass.

What temperature is too hot to mow the lawn?

A temperature above 25°C is too hot for mowing the lawn. When it’s hot outside, the grass is busy photosynthesising and preserving moisture. Cutting it then can damage it without giving it time to recover. What’s more, the lawn mower may overheat, and you run the risk of suffering heat cramps, heat exhaustion or even heatstroke.

What is the best time of day to mow lawn in hot weather?

The right time to mow your lawn on a hot day is during the late evening, between 8 -10 pm, provided the grass isn’t wet. You can also cut the grass in the late afternoon between 4 and 6 pm after the heat subsides. This will give the grass time to recover from the stress of mowing before the overnight dew falls on it.

best time of day to mow lawn in hot weather

Image credit: @rj_garden_services

Is it better to leave grass longer in hot weather?

When mowing your lawn in hot weather, don’t cut off more than one-third of the grass length. Longer grass shades the soil beneath it and helps to preserve moisture. It enables it to cope better with the stress resulting from the heat and low humidity. Cutting summer grass too short may damage it.

The wrap up

In summary, the best time to mow your lawn is mid-morning or late afternoon. However, weather conditions may change this. You also need to be mindful of mowing your lawn during sociable hours.

If your grass is wet in the morning, defer cutting it until later in the day. Similarly, if it rains in the afternoon, leave the mowing until the next day.

You need to adapt your mowing times to the temperature and the weather. The one thing you don’t want to do is cut your lawn when it’s wet or during hot weather. You also want to refrain from cutting it in the evening as this doesn’t give it enough time to recover. Overnight dew can then increase the risk of fungal diseases.

In the end, you may want to plan your mowing with an eye on the weather forecast. That way, cutting the grass at the right time becomes easier.

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Article by Vincent Andrew

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