The optimal times to mow your lawn are mid-morning, around 10 AM, after the dew has evaporated, and late afternoon or early evening, before dusk, when the temperature has cooled down. It’s best to avoid mowing during the early morning when the grass is still wet with dew or damaged, during midday when temperatures are highest and can stress the grass and the mower, and late evening as the lawn needs time to heal before the night to prevent the risk of fungal diseases.

Yes, leaving grass clippings on the lawn after mowing — a practice known as “grasscycling” — can be highly beneficial. Grass clippings decompose and return valuable nutrients, particularly nitrogen, back to the soil, acting as a natural fertilizer. This process helps to build stronger, nutrient-rich soil, which contributes to a healthier lawn. For the best results, it’s recommended to leave clippings of an inch or less in length, as longer clippings can clump together and shade or smother the grass, potentially leading to issues like fungal diseases. By regularly mowing and allowing the short clippings to decompose naturally on the lawn, you’re feeding the grass and fostering a more robust and attractive lawn without the need for additional fertilizer.

The decision to leave grass clippings on your lawn or to bag them depends on several factors. Generally, it’s beneficial to leave clippings on the lawn because they act as a natural fertilizer, providing nutrients like nitrogen back to the soil as they decompose. This process, known as grasscycling, also means less waste in landfills and reduced need for additional fertilizers.

However, there are times when bagging is preferable. If the lawn is mowed when wet or if the grass has grown too long, clippings can form clumps that smother the grass beneath and can lead to thatch buildup or disease. In such cases, it’s best to bag the clippings to maintain a tidy appearance and the health of the lawn.

Bagging can also be beneficial if you prefer a manicured look or if you have lawn diseases or weed problems, as bagging can help prevent the spread of disease and weed seeds. Some homeowners choose to bag for these aesthetic and health reasons, despite the extra work involved.

A heavy commercial mower can potentially damage a lawn if not used correctly. The weight of a commercial mower can compact the soil, making it difficult for grassroots to properly grow and absorb nutrients, leading to issues such as thinning grass, patchiness, or yellowing. Additionally, heavy mowers can harm the grass blades themselves, causing a less attractive appearance of the lawn overall.

Lawns, being relatively soft surfaces, can suffer more extensive damage from heavy equipment, especially if the lawn is wet, which can make it squishy and more susceptible to rutting and compaction. Ruts, which are depressions or grooves in the lawn, can be caused by repeatedly mowing over the same path with heavy equipment. While shallow ruts can be repaired by loosening the soil, deeper ruts may require more extensive remediation.

To minimize the potential damage from heavy commercial mowers, it is recommended to vary the mowing pattern and avoid mowing when the grass is wet. Using a lighter machine may delay the onset of compaction-related issues, but if a heavy mower is necessary, incorporating practices such as aeration can help alleviate soil compaction and promote a healthier lawn.