Lawn mowing after rain is a quite intimidating choice, because you wouldn’t want to damage the lawn. With all the risks involved, people prefer to avoid cutting the grass when wet.
You can cut the grass when wet but at the right time and with some precautions. Stick with us, learn, and see more as we discuss every aspect of cutting and dealing with wet grass in detail.
JUMP TO TOPIC
Can You Mow Lawn After Rain?
💥 No, you cannot mow the lawn after rain, because it would cause leaf blade damage, the lawn would catch a disease, and the cut would be uneven. On another note, the grass would be too slippery to function, causing damage to the machine, and clogging the mower.
You can easily tell if your grass is too wet to mow. If your grass is wet to the point that you cannot walk on it without getting your clothes or shoes dirty, it is too wet to cut. You do not have to ensure that your grass is extremely dry but to the point where it is not submerged in water.
Most gardeners suggest, and there are many reasons that suggest why you should not cut the grass when it’s wet. To help your grass grow to the best of its ability, you need to ensure that you only cut it once it has dried up or risk losing all your efforts to maintain your healthy lawn.
– Leaf-Blade Damage
Most mowers struggle to cut the grass when it is soaking wet—mowing grass when wet tears the leaves of the grass, and they ultimately get bruised.
If you tear the blade, it causes the leaves to go under stress, in this case when your plant is under stress, imagine the deteriorating effects on its health.
– Lawn Catches Diseases
Under normal and dry circumstances, the grass clippings are usually dry, but now as they lay peacefully on the freshly-mowed grass and slowly turn into compost, because they are in a vulnerable state to catch diseases. However, these clippings stick together and form clumps when the grass is wet and will continue to sit atop your grass until it is raked.
These wet grass clippings block the surviving essentials, like sunlight, air circulation, and other nutrients, from reaching the grass and the soil. The damp condition gives birth to fungal diseases, like the brown spot, to develop.
Not only this, these clumps often stick to the mower deck, accumulating debris. With time, these clippings affect the function of your mower’s blades and corrode other parts. Basically, if you have little choice but to mow your grass, make sure you take the grass clippings out side by side, so there is no build-up.
– Uneven Cut
After good rainfall, the leaf blades do not stand as tall as they normally do. This is so because the leaf bends under the weight of the raindrops; moreover, when the leaves bend, you cannot expect an even cut, which means the result of the lawn would be very messy.
But when the grass dries, the bent leaf blades stand tall again, so it is better to let all the leaf blades dry completely to have a clean, even, and crisp cut at the end.
– The Grass Is Extra Slippery
Mowing a wet lawn means more exertion. When you push the lawn mower on the wet grass, there is a potential risk of you slipping on the grass.
This risk is greater if the lawn you intend to mow is on a slope. Slipping over the wet grass with a running mower will not only frighten you but also has considerable safety hazards.
– Damaging the Machine
Mowing wet grass with the help of an electric mower is never safe because electricity and water do not go well together, especially if you have an extension cord. When the parts of the cord are exposed to moisture of any kind, it can damage the machine and, in the worst case scenarios, cause electrocution to you, and that is a risk you should avoid.
On the other hand, there is always a chance that water will enter the fuel tank, and this is a reason that the mower to stop functioning abruptly or malfunction, because the fuel burning is not pure. Remember that even if this does not happen, the accumulated water in the machine can cause serious damage to its parts which is, at times, irreversible.
– Clogging the Mower
We do not recommend cutting grass with a push mower. Even though there is no risk of getting electrocuted, there is always a chance of the blades getting damaged from the build-up of the clippings.
No matter how sharp the blades are, there is always a chance that these clippings will clog your mower. The mower chokes on these clippings and leaves clumps of grass at random spots all over the garden, making it look dead.
Is it Okay To Cut Wet Grass in the Morning?
Yes, you can cut the wet grass in the morning. But it would be best if you were very specific when it comes to the timing. We recommend cutting the grass mid-morning, between eight and ten o’clock.
This is the period when most of the dew or moisture gets vaporized. Your cut is mostly dry at this time and gets a chance to recover from mowing before the heat settles in.
Furthermore, the temperature rises after ten which can cause additional stress to your grass. However, this time slot is unsuitable if you have a north-facing lawn, as the grass takes longer to dry in the shade. Choosing the next best time slot would be more appropriate.
– Morning Dew
Unlike rain, dew is not something to be concerned about. It does not cast a water-dripping spell over the grass or soil. This means the risk for mowing with morning dew is far less than with rain-soaking leaf blades.
Golf courses and other locations are mowed early in the Morning in the presence of dew for an even look. So, if you have the option to wait until the grass is dry, there is nothing like it.
When Is It the Best Time To Mow After Rain?
The best time to mow after rain is about five to six hours, when it has stopped and the lawn has dried properly, especially if sun is up already.
However, if the rain was stormy, then you should wait for a day or two so the lawn is properly dry.
How To Mow Wet Grass Without Clogging?
To mow wet grass without clogging, make sure you don’t use a roller mower, and collect the clumps that would be left behind. You can also increase the mowing height, and ensure the weather, as if wouldn’t be heavily cold to avoid any damages.
We are sure that up till now, you have understood the risks that come along when you are mowing wet grass. The least you can do for your grass is to allow it to dry completely before going in with a mower.
It saves you from inconveniences like clogging, etc. However, if there is an urgent need that cannot be put on hold until the grass is dry, there are a few precautions and lawn care tips that you need to abide by.
– Do Not Use a Roller Mower
These lawn mowers are comparatively heavier than their four-wheeled competitors and are known for leaving skid marks on the grass. The wheels of the mower can compact concentrated soil and form pits.
This accumulated soil can damage the roots, depriving you of a healthy lawn, so to prevent any future incidences, it is best that you would be cautious for future references.
– Collect the Clumps as You Go
You can mulch all you want and take all the precautionary measures, but there will always be clumps of grass clipping stuck to your mower. These clumps are a combination of wet grass clippings and soil or mulch.
To avoid clogging, you can remove the gathered clippings under your mower side by side, and make sure that you would repair it afterward, because you wouldn’t want to have a damaged lawn.
– Increase the Mowing Height
Increase your mowing height by an inch or so, and then see what the results are. If you still have grass stuck to your mower blades or the mower, try cutting wet grass at an even higher mowing height.
On the other hand, if you do not, you have successfully managed to find the perfect mowing height for your grass when it’s wet, which most gardeners have yet to master despite using trimmers like the California trimmer rl207hgx120 or the famous toro timecutter ss4225 models.
– Check the Weather
Most landscapers cut the grass in the rain because their supervisors instruct them that the weather conditions are stable enough to do their job. They get their job done by following safety protocols and switching to less-risky equipment if needed. However, if the rain is too heavy, it is very common for them to reschedule to avoid safety hazards.
Satisfying the clients is the utmost priority of any landscaping company, so the landscapers go to lengths to work around extreme weather conditions. If they choose not to reschedule, they switch to non-electric equipment like a gas-powered mower. It is less risky than an electric-powered mower, which means the best thing you can do is to check the weather and work accordingly.
Conclusion
Cutting grass after it has just rained is equally exciting whether you are a professional or an amateur.
Through our article, you have learned when is the right time to mow your lawn that has been freshly rained on and what not to do, so let’s sum up these points:
- Please stay away from a mower right after it has finished raining.
- The best time to mow is midday when the grass dries up from the morning dew.
- Mowing your lawn with a gas-powered lawn mower is less risky than an electric mower.
- Gather the grass clumps as you go, so there is no build-up, to avoid empty patches.
- Adjust the mowing height to what gives you little to no grass clippings stuck on your mower.
With every passing day, people are becoming more used to lawn mowing practices and are familiar with the risks that come with it. Mowing your lawn can be more enjoyable when you follow the preventive measures for your lawn care and health safety.
References
- Mowing Your Florida Lawn. University of Florida.
Retrieved from https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/lawns/lawn-care/mowing-your-florida-lawn.html
