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The best times to mow your lawn are mid-morning or early evening. Mowing in the mid-morning, around 10 a.m., allows any dew to evaporate so the grass is dry. Cutting dry grass is easier on both the lawn and the mower, and this timing gives the grass blades time to recover in the sunlight before the peak afternoon heat. Alternatively, you can mow in the late afternoon or early evening once the heat of the day has passed. Avoid mowing too early in the morning when the grass is still wet with dew, and try not to mow during the hottest part of the day, as high temperatures and harsh sunlight can put extra stress on the grass.

A standard home lawn mower with sharp blades can handle a thin layer of leaves without issue. You may need to make a couple of passes within several days to mulch leaves down, but your mower shouldn’t struggle. If your mower comes with a mulching kit, like an attachment to blow leaves out the side, that’s a good sign it’s ready for fall leaves. Set your mower to the highest or near-highest height for this project so it focuses on the leaves rather than the grass below.

You should mow your lawn first and water it afterward, in most cases. You should not mow when your lawn it’s wet as it could clog the blades. If you haven't been watering your lawn for an extended time or your area is experiencing a drought, water your grass first. Mowing thin, wispy grass can be difficult, so allow it to become fuller and thicker before mowing. Once it looks more lush and dry, go ahead and mow.

The decision of whether or not to let moss grow in your yard depends on your preference. Moss is a lower-maintenance alternative to grass that looks green and lush but doesn’t require irrigation, fertilization, or mowing. Unlike grass, moss doesn’t attract pests, so it can keep your yard free from bugs as well. However, moss won’t stand up to heavy foot traffic as well as turfgrass.