When can robotic lawnmowers be used: Tips & rules 2025

As most garden owners know, a well-maintained lawn is anything but a matter of chance. A verdant oasis requires not only regular care but also patience and, above all, the right tools. For this reason, more and more garden owners are putting their trust in modern robotic lawnmowers, as they are quiet and work reliably, even when you don't have the time or inclination to do it yourself.

Especially since the same question arises every spring: When can the robotic lawnmower actually start running again? The answer depends on several factors, not just the calendar. For example, those who start mowing too early risk damaging young grass or endangering hedgehogs. But those who start too late struggle with overgrown grass and increased energy consumption.

In addition, there are legal requirements and nature conservation guidelines that stipulate when and for how long a robotic lawnmower may be used. In this article, we explain when the season really makes sense to start and which times of day are best suited. We also show you how to reconcile legal and ecological requirements with modern technology – for example, with the intelligent systems of the Navimow i Series, which combine not only planning but also safety and sustainability.

The right start to the mowing season

When the sun regains its strength in spring and the grass visibly grows, it won't be long before you can venture the first cut in the fresh air. But when can the robotic lawnmower actually get started?

Good indicators include soil temperatures above 10°C and visible new growth. This usually occurs between mid-March and mid-April. During this phase, the grass roots are strong enough to withstand cutting.

However, starting too early weakens the young blades of grass. These can then quickly turn yellowish or – even worse – develop gaps. But if you wait too long, the grass grows too high. As a result, the robotic lawnmower has to expend more energy to achieve an even cut.

Soil moisture also plays a role. Anyone who has ever mowed in the morning knows this: the lawn is still damp from spring rain or morning dew. As a result, the blades stick to the blades, and the cut becomes uneven. In addition, the motor runs under higher load, which in turn puts more strain on the battery and the blades.

This is precisely where the advantage of modern systems becomes apparent: The Navimow i105, for example, uses weather data and sensors to determine whether conditions are right and automatically postpones the start until the ground is dry enough. This allows the mowing season to begin efficiently and with minimal material waste – completely without risk to the lawn.

A practical example: When patience pays off

Imagine a typical spring day: The ground is still damp in the morning, and you can still smell the rain from the night before. The blades of grass lie flat, and the sun only slowly warms the young day.

Starting the robot mower now risks a patchy cut. It's better to wait until the afternoon, when the lawn has dried and the blades are upright. This will result in an even cut and a longer lifespan for the blades. Not to mention a lawn that stays truly healthy. Patience pays off, especially for the first mowing of the year.

Time of day and operating hours – when is the robotic lawnmower allowed to run?

However, not every time of day is permitted or advisable. It's important to know that in Germany, general quiet hours are regulated by the Ordinance on Noise Protection for Equipment and Machinery (32nd Federal Immission Control Ordinance). And even though modern robotic lawnmowers like the Navimow i Series operate very quietly at only 58 dB(A), the following guidelines should be observed:

These regulations protect both the neighborhood and wildlife. This applies particularly to animals that are primarily active at dusk.

The best times of day for deployment

When do robotic lawnmowers achieve the best results? The answer is simple: between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. During these times, the grass is usually dry and the temperatures are stable, whereas early in the morning or shortly after rain, the cut is often uneven. This is due to moisture clinging to the blades, which causes uneven cutting and increases energy consumption. The robot should be left alone in the evenings and at night. Many animals, especially hedgehogs, frogs, and insects, are active then. Even if the Animal Friendly Mode of the Navimow models detects and avoids animals, consideration for others remains the best protection.

The seasonal features – from spring to autumn

Each season places different demands on the robotic lawnmower. The following recommendations will therefore help you adapt your mowing strategy:

A cautious start in spring

After the initial growth spurt, mowing the lawn once or twice a week is usually sufficient. A higher cutting height of around 45–50 mm is important to prevent weakening young shoots. The height can be easily adjusted via the app on models like the Navimow. This is ideal if the ground is still soft or uneven.

Regular intervals and heat protection in summer

During the summer months, the lawn grows relatively quickly. Mowing every two days keeps it dense and even. However, the frequency should be reduced in hot weather, as mowing too often stresses the grass. Navimow robots automatically react to dry periods and adjust the mowing program accordingly. This keeps the lawn healthy and also reduces energy consumption.

A gentle transition in autumn

From October onwards, growth slows down. A weekly mowing is now perfectly sufficient. And if the temperature drops below 5°C, the robotic lawnmower should be put into winter storage. Before storing it, however, a quick maintenance check is worthwhile: the blades should be cleaned, the sensors checked, and the battery charged to about 50%. This ensures the device starts up without any problems next spring. The Navimow i105 and i108 models are designed for temperatures between -20°C and +25°C. This makes them ideal for storage in the garage or garden shed. This way, you can enjoy a consistently well-maintained and healthy lawn all season long.

This is how the robotic lawnmower achieves the best result.

Besides legal and environmental aspects, efficiency is paramount. The goal is to achieve a uniform cut while simultaneously saving energy.

The Navimow i Series uses the EFLS 2.0 (Exact Fusion Locating System) for this purpose. It primarily combines satellite data and visual orientation to navigate with centimeter accuracy. Even with a weak GPS signal or under trees, the sensors find the correct route.

This results in energy-saving and structured routes without duplicate journeys, which put significantly less strain on the battery compared to conventional devices.

You can, of course, view information such as mowing schedules and performance data at any time via the app. By combining it with irrigation systems or soil sensors, a fully networked garden is created, in which factors such as weather, moisture, and energy consumption are automatically adjusted.

The robot works when conditions are optimal – not simply according to the time of day.

Legal notices and responsibility

Even though modern robotic lawnmowers are becoming increasingly safer from a technical standpoint, the responsibility for their operation remains with the user. Please keep a few basic points in mind:

• Do not mow in the dark: Hedgehogs, frogs, and other animals are active in the evening and at night. Therefore, only run the robotic lawnmower during daylight hours.
• Before starting, quickly check across the lawn that there are no animals, toys, or branches in the way.
• Keep the work area clear: Remove loose objects or garden tools. This will prevent accidental trips and protect the robot from damage.
• Use the safety features: Regularly activate the child lock, theft protection, and zone monitoring. This increases everyday safety and ensures reliable operation.

Navimow devices support you with AI-powered obstacle detection (VisionFence™) and the aforementioned Animal Friendly Mode. Both systems significantly improve safety. However, they are no substitute for your own vigilance.

A few practical tips for everyday life

To ensure your robotic lawnmower works reliably in the long term, a few simple daily routines will help:

• Activate automatic weather adjustment: Many robotic lawnmowers use sensors to detect when it starts to rain and pause operation automatically. This protects the motor and electronics and prevents unsightly marks in the wet lawn.
• Take advantage of multi-zone management: Especially in larger gardens, it's worthwhile to divide the lawn into individual mowing zones. Models like the Navimow i108 work more efficiently this way and extend battery life. If your robot has ever had to return to the charging station mid-mowing, you know how much a smart mowing plan benefits.
• Activate the lawn edge mode regularly: Clean edges complete the well-maintained look. If the lawn edge mode runs regularly, the tedious task of trimming by hand is eliminated. And your garden will always look tidy, even along paths and flowerbeds.
• Adjust the mowing height: The correct cutting height is crucial for the health of your lawn. Around 35 millimeters is ideal in summer, while in dry periods or shady areas, it's better to increase it to 45 to 50 millimeters. This protects the soil and keeps the grass strong.
• Keep the software up to date: Modern robotic lawnmowers like the Navimow receive regular over-the-air updates that improve their functionality. A quick glance at the app is all it takes to keep your device up to date and ensure reliable long-term operation.

Conclusion: The perfect cut is no accident.

The answer to the question of when to let the robotic lawnmower run depends on the temperature, soil moisture, time of day, and legal regulations. Those who consider these factors not only protect the environment and their neighbors, but also benefit from technology that lasts longer. The lawn will certainly profit.

The Navimow i Series wireless systems allow for intelligent control of mowing times, zones, and weather conditions, among other things. The result is a consistently well-maintained and healthy lawn with minimal effort.

More information about the Navimow i models and intelligent lawn care can be found on the official Navimow website.

Frequently Asked Questions

From what point in the year can I start using my robotic lawnmower?

As soon as the soil temperature is above 10°C and the grass is visibly growing – usually from mid-March onwards. Wait if there is frost or wet soil.

Is it permissible for the robotic lawnmower to operate at night?

Not for animal welfare reasons. Many small animals are active at night. Furthermore, there are legal quiet hours that prohibit nighttime operation.

How long can a robotic lawnmower run each day?

For as long as the growing conditions require – often a few hours a day between 10 am and 5 pm. Smart models adjust the operating time automatically.

What happens when it rains?

Modern robotic lawnmowers like Navimow automatically pause operation and resume it as soon as the ground is dry. This protects both the lawn and the technology.

Do I have to comply with legal regulations?

Yes. The nationwide quiet hours apply (7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on weekdays, excluding Sundays and public holidays). Additional regulations may apply in some municipalities.