You’ve probably wondered why you shouldn’t mow wet grass, and for good reason. Wet lawns present challenges that affect both your grass health and equipment longevity, potentially creating hazards for yourself and compromising your lawn’s appearance.
A well-maintained lawn requires not just regular mowing, but strategic timing. Waiting for dry conditions ensures a clean, even cut that showcases your lawn’s natural beauty while protecting your valuable mower from moisture damage, clumping, and the frustration of repeatedly cleaning clogged blades.
1. Grass and Soil Damage
Mowing wet grass is like giving your lawn a bad haircut. Instead of a nice trim, you end up with torn grass blades and brown tips.
The trouble doesn’t stop there; running your mower over wet soil results in compacted soil, suffocating the roots by cutting off their oxygen supply. This leads to thin, patchy grass. Wet grass clippings also clump together, blocking sunlight, water, and airflow, and turning your lawn into a patchy, suffocated mess.
2. Uneven Grass Cut
Mowing wet grass results in an uneven cut due to the weight of the water causing the grass blades to bend over. When the blades aren’t standing up straight, your mower can’t cut them evenly, leading to a patchy and choppy appearance. Once the grass dries and stands up straight, the unevenness becomes even more noticeable.
This means you’ll have to mow again to achieve a neat and uniform look. To avoid this double effort and keep your lawn looking its best, wait for the grass to dry.
Read more: Lawn Mowing Tips: How to Mow a Lawn the Right Way.
3. Mower Damage
Mowing wet grass can damage your lawn mower. Water from the grass can seep into the fuel tank, causing the engine to malfunction or even stop working.
Wet grass clippings clump up, blocking the vacuum or blade, and forcing your mower to work harder. When the blade struggles to spin, it puts extra pressure on the engine, which can result in smoking and overworking. Electric mowers are especially vulnerable since they have less torque than gas-powered mowers, making it harder for them to power through thick, wet grass.
Additionally, wet grass sticks to the underside of the mower, making it a nightmare to clean. The moisture can also cause the blades and other metal parts to rust, leading to expensive repairs or the need to replace your mower altogether.
Read more:
4. Lawn Diseases
Photo Credit: NC State Cooperative Extension
Mowing wet grass can create the perfect environment for lawn diseases to thrive. When you mow wet grass, the blades are more likely to tear, making your lawn susceptible to infections from fungal diseases.
“Don’t mow when grass is wet because this can spread pathogens,” warns the University of Florida/IFAS Extension.
Some common lawn fungi include brown patch, anthracnose, leaf spot, and red thread. By waiting until your grass is dry before mowing, you can help protect your lawn from these harmful fungi and keep it healthy.
Read more about lawn diseases:
- How to Get Rid of Brown Patch
- How to Get Rid of Anthracnose
- How to Get Rid of Leaf Spot
- How to Get Rid of Red Thread
5. Dangerous For You
Mowing wet grass isn’t just bad for your lawn and mower; it’s also risky for you. If you use an electric lawn mower, especially one with an extension cord, there’s a risk of electric shock when operating in wet conditions. Water and electricity are a dangerous mix, and mowing wet grass increases the likelihood of a mishap.
Additionally, walking on wet grass can be slippery, increasing the chance of slipping and falling. This could lead to injuries, turning a simple yard chore into a hazardous activity.
My Tip: If you’re like me and have slopes in your yard, be careful. These areas tend to stay slippery longer. When in doubt, take a few steps on your grass. If it feels slick, wait a little longer before bringing out your mower.
6. Messy
Mowing wet grass is a recipe for a mess. Wet grass clippings stick to everything: your shoes, the mower wheels, and just about any surface they touch. This means you’ll end up with grass stains everywhere. Even when the mowing is done, the cleanup is far from over.
You’ll have to spend extra time and energy cleaning your mower, your shoes, and any other areas the wet grass clippings have touched. To save yourself the hassle and keep things tidy, it’s best to wait until the grass is dry before mowing.
Tips If You Have to Mow Wet Grass
The best mowing technique is to wait 2 to 5 hours after a light rain or a full day after heavy rainfall.
However, during rainy seasons, sometimes you have no choice but to mow when it’s still wet. While mowing dry grass is ideal, it’s better to cut slightly wet grass than let it grow to 8 inches, recommends Purdue University.
If you absolutely must mow wet grass, here are some tips to make the process a little easier:
- Sharpen mower blades: Sharp blades will try to make clean cuts on wet grass, reducing the risk of damage.
- Raise mower height: Wet grass is difficult to cut cleanly at lower settings. “Set your mower as high as possible.” recommends the Kansas State University Research and Extension.
- Mow slowly: Take your time when mowing wet grass. Moving slowly will help the mower blades to cut more effectively and prevent an uneven finish.
- Use side discharge: Instead of mulching or bagging, use the side discharge option. Wet grass clippings can clog a mulching mower and cake up inside a bag.
- Clean mower frequently: Periodically stop to clean the underside of your mower. This prevents grass from clogging the blades.
My Tip: To tell if your grass is too wet to mow, check for standing water or excessive runoff in your yard. My rule of thumb is that if the road is dry, your lawn is probably dry, too. After a rainstorm, once the sun and wind have dried the pavement, your grass should be dry enough for a safe and effective mow.
FAQ About Mowing
Cutting grass with morning dew is not advisable. Mowing damp grass can damage your lawn, harm your mower, and even pose a risk to yourself. It’s best to wait until the grass is dry to the touch before mowing.
Wait 2 to 5 hours after a light rain or a complete day after heavy rainfall. It’s important to wait until the grass is no longer wet before mowing. Take a walk through your lawn, and if your shoes get damp, it’s better to wait a bit longer before cutting the grass.
The ideal time of day to mow your lawn is mid-morning, once the morning dew has evaporated but before the day’s heat peaks. This ensures your grass is dry enough for a clean cut and avoids the stress of mowing during the hottest hours.
Read our complete guide: What Is The Best Time of Day to Mow Grass?
Find a Lawn Care Professional Near You
Mowing the grass at the right time and with the right technique is crucial for maintaining a healthy, beautiful lawn. By avoiding wet conditions, you can keep your lawn in good shape.
However, if you need assistance mowing your lawn, connect with a local lawn care professional on LawnStarter. They have the expertise and tools to help you maintain a healthy lawn year-round.
Main Photo Credit: Serhii / Adobe Stock Free / License
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