Unlock the secrets to a lush and vibrant lawn with Heron’s expert advice on Florida lawn care. Trust in our expertise to ensure your lawn remains healthy and beautiful throughout the seasons. For further advice take a look at our lawn care guides or reach out to your local lawn care experts.

Should I Water My Lawn After Mowing?

Watering your lawn after mowing is usually fine, but be cautious not to overwater or water during the hottest part of the day. These practices can result in pest problems, scorching, or disease. To prevent these issues, we advise evaluating your lawn’s watering requirements separately from your mowing routine.

Signs You Should Water Your Lawn After Mowing

Your freshly cut grass becomes more susceptible to stress and harm after mowing. Nevertheless, adding water isn’t always the optimal solution. You should consider watering your lawn after mowing only under specific circumstances:

• It’s time for regular irrigation: If it’s time for your regular watering, keep up on your irrigation schedule. There’s no reason to stop watering as normal while your grass recovers from mowing. 
• Your lawn is dehydrated: If your lawn is showing signs of dehydration, such as yellowing or brittle grass blades, then it may benefit from the extra moisture. 

If you opt to water after mowing, it’s still best to wait until the afternoon when the sun’s intensity has lessened. Watering in the middle of the day can scorch the grass blades, potentially leading to more health issues in the future.

Why is My Grass Wilting After Mowing?

Issues with your grass’s appearance following mowing can stem from factors beyond just water management. The problem might actually lie in the way you’re approaching mowing. Several factors can lead to your lawn looking lackluster after mowing:

• Cutting the Grass Too Short: Extremely short grass blades dry out rapidly and struggle to regenerate after each mowing session. They may also face difficulties in photosynthesis, resulting in weaker turf. Aim to maintain a length of at least 2½ or 3 inches every time you mow.
• Mowing Wet Grass: Wet grass is heavier and more prone to bending or flattening under your mower’s weight. When mowing wet grass, you run a higher risk of unintentionally tearing grass blades, making recovery more challenging for the turf.
• Using an Excessively High Setting: While a powerful mower may seem more efficient, it can be too harsh for your turf. Certain settings can even “scalp” your lawn, creating numerous bare spots that take time to recover.
• Dull Lawn Mower Blades: Sharp blades neatly slice through the grass, whereas dull ones tend to tear and shred it. If your mower’s blades haven’t been changed in over a year, consider replacing them to see if it improves your lawn’s post-mowing recovery.

There are a lot of different factors that can contribute to health issues with your lawn, from improper irrigation to poor mowing practices. It can be challenging to determine exactly what’s impacting your lawn’s condition, but that’s where an expert can help. At Heron Home & Outdoor, our technicians have years of local experience, so they’re equipped to quickly diagnose and treat any issues with your lawn.