Lawnmowing when it's mid-90s (lawns, irrigation, front yard, summer)

[ebbe]

Originally Posted by grampaTom

Ya gotta do what ya gotta do. Here in eastern Tennessee the dew isn't off until nearly noon and by then it's pushing 90. It's either mow then or wait until nearly dark.

I totally get this since dew seems to stay on the grass forever. I wind up mowing late in the day at times.

I keep my grass on the longer side. Not using sprinklers yet. And it's not growing as fast right now, so I'm stretching out cutting it to about every 11-12 days.

[USNRET04]

Originally Posted by lluvia

You're mowing when it's in the mid 90s outside?
That's nuts.

I live in the south, so if you wait until it's not 90's then you won't mow from June-October and grass will be knee high.

[JONOV]

Originally Posted by mmyk72

I used to think we are supposed to let grass grow longer when temp gets high (90s) and there isn't much rain. At least that's what I did in the NE (near Boston). I just moved to a nice suburb in Cincinnati Ohio and EVERYONE here mows their lawn super short even in this heat. I'm the only one with 2+ weeks old grass - which I purposely left longer.

I notice the grass here has tougher / thicker texture than what I had in the NE. Is holding off on mowing still the way to go when it gets hot?

You very likely have different cultivars of grass than the NE.

[victimofGM]

I live in south Louisiana. Cutting in the 90s is pretty standard here in the summer. Tips to deal with the lawn in the heat. First, cut in the morning if no dew or wait until an hour before sunset to cut. If your yard is large, try dividing up the yard and cut one section a day. This may sound strange but you should look for a loose fitting long sleeve 100% cotton white shirt. Should also use a vented wide rim hat and yellow safety glasses with UV protection.

[Cambium]

Originally Posted by lluvia

You're mowing when it's in the mid 90s outside?
That's nuts.

Agree

Originally Posted by gemstone1

When in Yuma, I would mow at 115 degrees and <20% humidity...and felt better than at 85 degrees and 90% humidity here in VA.

Agree! Those high dewpoints (humidity) is a killer and makes it unenjoyable.


I been keeping stats on when I mow and the weather. I can't mow in the morning because of the wet dewy grass but I try not to mow when its in the 80s so I'll wait for a cold front or clouds in the summer. Sometimes it doesn't go as planned.


I also raise the height in the summer.

My hottest temp mowing was 87°F August 26, 2021. Was Horrible.
My coldest temp mowing was 42° October 21, 2018.

Spoiler

[Floorist]

Either cut it in the 90's here or pay a fine. Grass over 4" tall is not allowed.

[JONOV]

I cut my grass when it grows (I don't water it.) If we have 90 degree highs and consistent rain, I might have to do it every five days. If it's a high of 99 and no rain for two weeks, I go two weeks without watering it. Right now, I've gone two weeks. I'll need to do it this weekend or tonight.

[b29510]

tomorrow saturday so the mowers will start about 5:30 when the sun comes up. it not a bother, I can sleep through anything, but here 95 degrees is not that bad

[JGC97]

During hot weather season, I raise the blades on the mower to leave the lawn a little longer. It cuts down on my watering while still giving the lawn a nice clean look. I water only once every two weeks but for at least 20-30 minutes (depending how hot it's been in that time frame). A gardener told me long time ago to do it that way. He said it's much healthier for the roots. As far as time to mow, we're allowed to start at 8 a.m. and that's a perfect time since it's cooler then.

[otterhere]

I would be more than happy to have my grass die during the summer; who wants to be out there mowing in 90+ degree heat and humidity?!?