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Ultimately, pulling weeds vs. spraying them depends on what’s happening in your yard and your personal preferences. Manual weed removal doesn’t introduce any chemicals into your landscape, targets specific problematic plants, produces immediate results, can be free if you go the DIY route, and is inexpensive with a weed service if you only have a handful of weeds. On the other hand, spraying is often preferable for severe weed infestations and situations involving difficult-to-pull weeds because it treats multiple weeds at once, is usually more effective long-term, is less time-consuming, and costs less when done by a pro.

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.

The growth of tall fescue grass often causes clumps of grass in your lawn. Avoid pulling up the clumps, as it won’t effectively remove them. Instead, dig out clumps and their roots when you notice them early in the growing season. Herbicides can also treat grass clumps, but they can also affect other plants you might not want to kill, so use them sparingly and always follow manufacturer instructions.

Wait at least three weeks after overseeding ryegrass before breaking out the lawn mower. Mowing sooner will tear up much of the delicate, newly seeded ryegrass as it won't have established strong roots to anchor it yet.