Is 90 Degrees Too Hot to Mow?

What temperature is too hot to mow the grass? Despite the summer heat beating down on your mown, it seems to be thriving, but the issue is that it is growing too high and needs to be mowed. Should you mow it or wait? Is 90 degrees too hot to mow?

Heat stroke is a huge risk you want to be put under consideration before going out into the scorching hot sun to mow. Warm-season grass can require up to three mowing a week, but due to the risk of many heat-related illnesses, you might want to avoid the unbearable summer sun.

90 degrees is a classic too-hot day to mow the lawn, and if you can avoid pushing a mown on a sunny day like that, do it! From a pure temperature standpoint, once it reaches 90 degrees, you are going into the too-hot territory. However, using your lawn mower in a 90 degrees sun is unlikely to damage it but the risk of you getting heat-related sickness goes up.

Whether your lawn is newly planted or sows directly from seed, it needs care, maintenance, and proper care to flourish. Mowing at the right time can increase its quality, especially during the summer months, it can also decrease weed.

If you lie in a location where the entire summer is excessively hot, the best thing you can do is to learn the right time to mow. So if you are wondering if 90 degrees is too hot to mow, read on to learn the answer and also the right time to mow in summer.

Is 90 Degrees Too Hot to Mow?

It is too hot to mow the lawn when it’s 90 degrees, and according to WebMD, the risk of heat-related illness increases when the temperature is 90 degrees and above. Your lawn mower is unlikely to damage from use in the sun, but you can experience heat exhaustion from mowing in that hot temperature.

Although it is best not to store your lawn mower in the sun brief exposure while mowing won’t cause any damage to it. Lawnmowers are after all, tools made to work in many different conditions. But for you to avoid the risk of heat stroke, it is best to wait till the heat wave passes.

In addition to heat stroke, the time spent in the sun mowing can lead to sunburns and skin damage. There is a temperature threshold at which the heat becomes dangerous for humans, and 90 degrees and above is a risk zone.

When is The Best Time to Mow In Hot Weather?

It is best to avoid mowing during the heat waves but if you must, the best time will be early in the morning before the sun rises and in the evening when the heat of the day has passed. Mowing during summer can require up to three mowing weeks but the optimal time to do this is in the evening, this will give the grass all night to recover.

Mowing the lawn in the evening is a great way to keep moisture in the grass roots and provide ample shade and healing time for up to 12 hours before sunrise.

When Should You Not Mow?

Mowing in extreme heat is something you should avoid doing. Also, it’s common to mow very early in the morning and while this saves you from heat exhaustion, the grass might be wet from morning dew or has just been watered, which can lead to uneven cuts.

Wet lawn can be slippery, so avoid mowing when it’s wet, and mowing when it’s dry can reduce injury. In addition, wet grass clippings can easily get trapped in the lawnmower, causing it to stick together, thereby covering the grass and shielding it from necessary sunlight.

How to Protect Your Grass During Heat Wave

You really should avoid mowing in the extremely hot heat, and you can always leave it to grow during hot weather; this encourages the grass to extend roots deeper into the soil, thereby keeping it safe from the heat and can access more water.

So, if you are planning to let your lawn grow during the summer heat, here are ways you can protect it.

• Aerate your lawn; this plays a big role in keeping it healthy during a heat wave.
• Use any lawn furniture or umbrellas to shade vulnerable parts of your lawn.
• Reduce fertilizing.
• Try to avoid foot traffic on the lawn.
• Watering at night might be more effective than watering during the day.

The Bottom Line

When your health and mowing under a 90-degree hot temperature are considered, you should take extra caution. Mowing in extreme heat can cause dizziness and heat stroke.

The process of mowing can be exerting especially when using a large mown causing you to sweat heavily, so do hydrate often and always wear sunscreen.