Is It Bad To Cut Grass When It’s Hot Outside?

Sunny weather and summer heat mean more time spent outdoors tending to your lawn, but you may be wondering: is it bad to cut grass when it’s hot? Extreme temperatures can dry out your yard, and mowing at the wrong time can make matters much worse. So, before you hop on the mower, you may want to wait until things cool off a bit.

Learn why cutting grass when it’s hot is bad for your grass and when to cut it to keep your lawn fresh throughout the summer.

When Is It Bad to Cut Grass When Hot?

It’s a bad idea to mow grass when it’s extremely hot. It’s not only bad for grass, but it can also be a health hazard. Working in scorching temperatures can cause heat exhaustion and even heat stroke. Here are three examples of when you should avoid mowing altogether:

Temperature Is Above 90 Degrees Fahrenheit

While there isn’t technically a tried and true temperature for when it’s “too” hot, you should avoid cutting grass when it’s above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The reason is that the grass is already stressed and struggling to retain moisture, and mowing can put further stress on it. 

It’s even more damaging if the heat wave is during a drought—avoid mowing your lawn during one.

Your Lawn Consists of Cool-Season Grass

Although it is bad to cut grass when it’s hot, it’s especially damaging to cool-season grasses, such as Fescue, Kentucky Bluegrass, and Perennial Ryegrass. These grasses thrive in cooler temperatures; some can even go dormant in the summer when the temperature reaches above 80 degrees Fahrenheit for an extended period. 

Cool-season grasses grow in the northern regions of the United States and grow best in temperatures between 60-75 degrees—let the temperature drop a bit before mowing.

If You Have a New Lawn

A new lawn needs time to establish. Mowing it when it’s extremely hot can damage or even kill the grass. Heat can stress out new grass, and mowing is an additional stressor to an already delicate lawn. You should wait to mow new grass until it’s at least 3-4 inches tall to ensure it’s had time to establish itself.

Signs You Should Skip Mowing the Grass

Your yard may show signs of distress if it needs a break from mowing. For instance, if it is yellow, discolored, or has bare patches, it may be a sign it is unhealthy. 

Also, if you leave footprints in the grass when you walk on it, and the grass doesn’t rebound as it should, that could be a sign of dehydration. You should address what is causing the issue before your next mowing session. 

3 Mowing Tips to Maintain a Healthy Lawn When It Is Hot

Here are a few tips to maintain a healthy lawn during the summer season:

• Mow at the right time of day: It’s best to wait until the evening to mow after the temperatures break. Avoid mowing early in the morning because the grass will likely be wet from the morning dew, making it more difficult to mow and harder on your lawn mower blades. 

• Wait until after a good rainfall before mowing: You should not mow when the grass is wet, but it’s best to mow after a decent rainfall or watering session once the grass dries. The summer heat dehydrates the grass, so waiting to mow until after it has had a chance to rehydrate is best. 

• Keep grass at a higher height: Taller grass provides more coverage to the soil, which can help keep your grass hydrated, but you don’t want it to be too tall. Most grasses thrive at about 3 inches tall, so let it grow to about 4 to 4.5 inches before cutting it. Don’t cut more than a ⅓ of your lawn’s height at a time to keep your yard healthy and green.

Is It Worth Hiring a Professional to Mow Your Lawn?

If you want to have a lush lawn but lack the time to care for and mow it properly, you may want to hire a lawn care company near you to take on the job. The cost depends on the size of your yard, but expect to pay between $50 to $200 to hire a pro to mow an acre-sized yard. 

Of course, you can always mow yourself, but if your lawn needs grooming or more detailed work to get it flourishing again, you may want to hire a lawn care service to tend to its needs. That way, you can spend time tackling the rest of your lawn maintenance checklist.