While we’re not saying that you should never cut your grass after spraying it with weed killer. The question is, how long do you have to wait? It depends on what kind of weed killer you use, and it might also depend on where in the country you live. Here’s a quick guide:
| Takeaway |
|---|
| Weed killer should be applied during specific times of the year to ensure best results |
| Proper lawn care maintenance is required to keep it healthy, green and weed-free |
| After applying weed killer, you should wait for a certain period of time before mowing or allowing pets onto the lawn |
| There are many natural weed control solutions that can be used as alternatives to traditional weed killers |
| Choosing the right type of soil for your container garden is critical for healthy plant growth |
Wait 4 to 7 days after applying a selective herbicide
Selective herbicides are less toxic and more selective. They target specific weeds, not all plants in the lawn. This is good news for you because they’re more effective, have a less negative impact on the environment, and are also more expensive!
Unfortunately these days there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to weed killer. Different types of selective herbicides work differently, so consult your local nursery for advice about which product will work best for your needs (they’ll be familiar with all brands).
If you recently fertilized your lawn, it’s important to keep dogs away from it until it’s safe for them to play. Check out our guide on how long dogs should stay off fertilized grass to learn more about protecting your pets and keeping your grass healthy.
But Wait 48 Hours After Applying a Nonselective Herbicide
This is because the herbicide is not yet in the weeds. It will take time for it to be absorbed by them and take effect. The grass will not be harmed by the herbicide, but if you cut your lawn before that happens you could damage the grass.
Wait Time After Applying Nonselective Herbicides
| Type of Nonselective Herbicide | Recommended Wait Time Before Mowing or Watering |
|---|---|
| Glyphosate-based | 2-3 hours |
| Diquat-based | 6 hours |
| Glufosinate-based | 5-7 days |
| Sodium chlorate-based | 2 weeks |
This table provides recommended wait times before mowing or watering your lawn after applying nonselective herbicides. It includes different varieties of nonselective herbicides and the corresponding wait times for each. Please note that these wait times may vary based on the specific product and manufacturer’s recommendations, so always consult the label before use.
Wait Until The Weed Killer Has Dried Completely.
Once you have applied the weed killer, wait until it has dried completely before cutting grass. This will prevent any of the herbicides from spreading to other areas of your lawn.
It can take 24 hours or more for a weed killer to dry, so plan accordingly and make sure that your grass is sufficiently dry before you cut it.
If you’re looking for alternatives to weed killers that are both effective and safe for your lawn, there are several natural methods you can try. Our guide on what kills grass and weeds fast (alternatives) explains some of the best alternatives to traditional weed killers that you can try.
Don’t Mow While The Herbicide Is Wet Or Rain Is Expected.
While the herbicide is wet:
Don’t mow the lawn. The herbicide will be absorbed by your grass and can be dangerous to pets or children if they come into contact with it. If there’s still time before rain, wait until the herbicide dries before cutting the grass.
The best method for getting rid of wet or damp weeds is to spray them with diluted vinegar, which will kill most weeds in about 24 hours without harming any other plants around them.
Might As Well Check to Make Sure it’s Dry Before Cutting Grass.
At the end of the day, it all comes down to what you find most convenient and comfortable. If your grass is wet, it’s better to wait until it dries out before cutting. The only exception would be if the weed killer has an expiration date that is coming up soon.
If you don’t know how long after herbicide application can you mow your lawn, then check with your local agricultural extension office or follow their instructions on how long after spraying herbicides they recommend waiting before mowing.
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Do Not Use A Mulching Mower or Catcher.
You may want to reconsider using a mulching mower or catcher. The grass clippings that are left behind after using weed killer can be hard to clean up, and they may actually spread the chemicals around on a larger scale than you intended. The same goes for bagging your grass clippings, which could also result in some cross-contamination of your yard with the chemicals from weed killer.
Some people have even reported that their animals have died after eating poisoned weeds or grass clippings from their lawns, so it’s best not to take any chances here!
Lawn Mower Options for Maintaining a Healthy Lawn After Applying Herbicide
| Mower Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Mulching Mower | A type of mower that cuts the grass into small pieces and recirculates them back into the soil. This process provides natural fertilization for your lawn but should not be used after applying herbicide to avoid recirculating the chemicals as well. |
| Bagging Mower | A type of mower that collects grass clippings and stores them in a bag for disposal. This is an ideal option to use after applying herbicide, as it helps remove any chemical residue or dead weeds from your lawn. |
| Side-Discharge Mower | A type of mower that cuts the grass and discharges it onto the lawn. This option is also suitable after applying herbicide and can help distribute the chemicals evenly across the lawn. |
This table provides different types of lawn mowers for maintaining a healthy lawn after applying herbicide. It highlights why mulching mowers or catchers should not be used as they can recirculate the chemicals used, leading to increased exposure to harmful substances. Instead, bagging mowers and side-discharge mowers are the better options after applying herbicide to remove any chemical residue or dead weeds from your lawn.
Be Mindful of Fall Growth, Mow In Stages
The fall growth cycle can be a little trickier to manage than the spring or summer cycles. The grass is thicker, which means that you’ll need to mow it more often than usual—once a week may be your best bet.
You should also consider mowing at the highest setting and using a mulching mower so that you avoid clippings altogether.
Fertilizing your lawn is an important part of maintaining its health and appearance, and doing it yourself can save you money and give you more control over the process. Check out our guide on how to fertilize your lawn yourself for some simple and effective steps to follow.
Collect and Dispose of the Clippings Properly
After you’ve mowed your grass, be sure to collect and dispose of the clippings properly. In a perfect world, we’d all have mulching lawnmowers that turn these clippings into nutrient-rich compost for our lawns.
Unfortunately, most of us don’t have this luxury—and it can be expensive to buy one if you don’t already own one! But there are some simple ways you can reduce the amount of clippings so that they’re not such a nuisance.
Mow frequently: If you’re going to mow your grass anyway, why not do it often? This means less time spent collecting and disposing of those annoying little pieces after each cut (although it does mean more time spent on maintenance).
Most lawnmower manufacturers recommend cutting at a height between 2½” and 3½”. The shorter length will encourage faster regrowth while also ensuring that each blade gets more sunlight exposure during its growing cycle (which is where photosynthesis happens).
Dispose properly: First things first—don’t put them on your lawn! If you aren’t planning on turning them into compost or using up all those nutrients in other ways (e.g., planting flowers), bag them up just as if they were trash and throw them away in the trash bin outside your home or apartment building
Choosing the right soil for your container garden is essential for the health and growth of your plants. Our guide on what kind of soil is best for container gardening provides recommendations and tips on how to select the right soil type for your container garden.
Use Caution When Using Weed Killer on Lawns With Ornamentals or Gardens Nearby
When using weed killer, it is important to be aware of the potential risks. While many lawns are treated with weed killer in order to maintain a healthy and aesthetically pleasing appearance, other lawns may have ornamentals or gardens nearby.
For those who use herbicides for the specific purpose of removing weeds from their property, a little extra caution should be taken when treating their lawns with these chemicals.
For instance, if you plan on cutting your grass after applying herbicide to it (either by brushing it or mowing), make sure that you don’t cut into any plants that were not intended targets for treatment.
In addition to causing damage to these plants due to mishandling while cutting the grass after treatment has been completed, doing so could also cause injury as well as harm yourself due to contact with potentially toxic substances.
Clean Your Mower Regularly
Cleaning your mower to keep away the weed killer will help you keep it in great condition and extend its life.
First, clean the mower immediately after each use by brushing off all of the grass clippings, followed by a quick rinse with clean water if you don’t have an automatic wash system on your lawnmower. If you do have one, this is where you’d clean it.
In addition to cleaning after each use of your lawnmower, it’s important to also wash or vacuum out all of the other parts that come into contact with grass clippings on a regular basis—like the blades—as well as any other area where they might accumulate (like underneath).
When washing these areas of your lawnmower with soap and water, allow them time dry before using again so that they don’t get gummed up with dirt or grime before hitting new blades.
Consider An Alternative To Chemical Weed Killers For Your Yard Or Garden
You can also consider an alternative to weed killer. There are three main options that you may want to explore:
Non-chemical approaches: These include mechanical and organic methods, which are less harmful to the environment than chemical ones. For example, if you have a lawn that’s full of weeds, it’s possible (and more environmentally friendly) to simply use a mower or weed whacker rather than resorting to chemicals such as Roundup.
Mechanical methods: A mechanical method involves using something like a hoe or shovel in order to dig up the roots of unwanted plants instead of spraying them with chemicals. This option is not only better for your health, but it also reduces waste productively by encouraging recycling and reusing garden tools from year-to-year!
You Can Cut Grass After Weed Killer, With Care And Caution
Weed killer can also be used on lawns, but always exercise caution and follow the instructions. Never apply weed killer to wet grass, and never mow wet grass. Also, make sure you are using a mulching mower so you don’t chew up the leaves of your ornamental plants.
Conclusion
I hope that this article has helped you understand the proper way to cut your grass after applying weed killer. Remember, there are some things that you should never do when handling herbicides or their byproducts.
Always wear gloves and protective gear when handling chemicals and avoid contact with your skin at all costs!
Further reading
If you found the information about lawn care and maintenance helpful, here are some additional resources that you may find interesting:
Should You Mow Your Lawn Before or After Lawn Treatment?: This article provides insights on whether you should mow your lawn before or after treatment to keep it healthy and weed-free.
Should You Mow After Spraying Concentrated Weed Killer?: This article explores questions about whether it’s safe and effective to mow your lawn after spraying concentrated weed killer.
How Long After Spraying Weed Killer Can You Cut Grass?: This article goes into detail on how long to wait before cutting grass after applying weed killer to get the best results.
FAQs
What is the best time to mow the lawn?
The best time to mow your lawn is when the grass is dry, typically in the late morning or early afternoon. Wet grass can clog your mower and leave clumps on the lawn.
Should I mow my lawn before or after a weed treatment?
It is generally recommended to wait at least 24-48 hours after a weed treatment to mow your lawn. This allows the treatment to be fully absorbed by the weeds, resulting in better results.
Can you mow the lawn after applying weed killer?
It depends on the type of weed killer that you use. Some types of weed killers require a waiting period of 24-48 hours before mowing, while others can be mowed immediately after application.
How long after applying weed killer can you let your pets onto the lawn?
It is recommended to wait at least 24-48 hours after applying weed killer before letting your pets onto the lawn. This can help to ensure that the treatment is fully absorbed and has time to dry.
What should I do if my lawn turns brown after applying weed killer?
If your lawn turns brown after applying weed killer, you can try watering it regularly to help it recover. You can also fertilize your lawn to help it grow back more quickly. If the problem persists, you may want to consult with a lawn care professional.
Hi! My name is Hellen James, and I’m here to help you with your home-maintenance needs. Whether it’s building a better yard or just trying to fix a garden—I can show you how.
