Welsh gardeners are being urged to avoid mowing their lawns in the early morning, as doing so can lead to clumpy, unhealthy grass. Horticultural specialist Michael Griffiths, known for his TikTok content, revealed that cutting grass between 6am and 8am is particularly harmful due to the presence of dew.
Why Morning Mowing Is Harmful
In a recent video, Griffiths explained: "Here's three things nobody tells you about mowing your lawn. Number one: there is a worse time to mow." He noted that wet grass makes mowers work harder and creates clumps of wet grass, which can damage the turf's appearance and health. Dew on the grass can also cause the mower to clog, reducing cutting effectiveness and potentially tearing grass from the roots.
Lawn equipment manufacturer Ego Power Plus agreed, stating that any time before 10am is the worst time to cut grass. They added that wet grass can lead to fungal diseases like Anthracnose, patchy lawns, ruts, compacted soil, and uneven grass length.
Impact on Grass Health
According to Ego Power Plus, mowing wet grass can rip grass from the roots instead of cutting it cleanly, resulting in brown spots. The company warned: "The end result being a lawn with more brown spots than an overripe banana." To avoid these issues, they recommend mowing in mid-morning, around 10am, when the grass has had time to dry. Griffiths also suggested doing a pass on a higher setting first if mowing is necessary earlier.
Expert Recommendations
Griffiths advised: "If you need to, do a pass on a higher setting first then move down." This approach can help mitigate the effects of wet grass. The key takeaway for gardeners is to wait until the dew has evaporated to ensure a clean cut and a healthy lawn.
