Mowing when wet – should i or shouldn’t i?

We have been getting a lot of rain lately, and it is divine, but a result is wonderfully long, lush lawns and wet, slippery, and soggy grounds. If you have been hankering to get out and give your lawn a much-needed haircut, have a look at the below tips and advice when considering to mow wet grass or while it’s raining.

Mowing In The Rain/Mowing Wet Grass – Should I or shouldn’t I?

Mowing your lawn when wet or immediately after a good downpour is never ideal – for you, your lawn, or your mower. There are not only safety risks to consider but also maintenance issues with your mowers and damage to your lawns. If you can avoid mowing your lawn when it’s wet – please do. 

Mowing on wet ground can be a slip-hazard (no one wants to be face-to-ground when there’s sharp, spinning blades threatening to cut more than the grass if we accidentally get too close), mowing on wet ground with an electric mower, especially corded, is just a shock-and-a-half waiting to happen – electrical cables and moisture DO NOT mix. 

Not only are the above risks enough to scare you back inside to the land of the dry but trying to mow wet grass can be extremely time-consuming and physically demanding. Your mower jams up constantly from the wet grass and requires to be shut down, cleaned, and then started back up; your shoes and pants will get stained green and look like they should be one with the lawn, and all that moisture you’ve just sucked up into your mower can wreak havoc on your fuel tank – the moisture ruins left-over fuel and potentially corrode your mower parts. Finally, once the lawns are “done” all that wet grass is still in your mower’s undercarriage – creating a lovely home for mould and redecorating it with rust. Delightful! 

Mowing wet grass, even dewy grass, does damage to your lawn as well. Rather than getting a clean cut on each grass-blade, you’ll tear the grass which opens a door to fungus which can kill your lawn. It is also very hard to cut your wet grass evenly, you’ll notice this (or that nosey neighbour will) when your grass eventually dries (you’ll have fully sick-cutz in your lawn, bro).

BUT, you still want to give it a go, cause “it’ll be right, mate”. If you do, here are some tips:

1. Mow when it’s the warmest part of the day – between noon and 2pm is when the sun is the strongest and this has given your lawn the best possible chance to dry out.

2. NEVER mow when it’s raining or immediately after – or further still, where there is standing water. Just don’t.

3. Sharpen those blades – the sharper the better anyway, but especially if trying to cut wet grass.

4. Give the mower’s undercarriage a spray with some non-stick protectant, you can get this at your local mower store or hardware store.

5. Raise ‘em up! Lift the deck height up, the higher the better with wet grass – fewer grass clumps to jam your machine.

6. Only fill your fuel tank up with as much as required. If there is any fuel left-over you’ll want to empty it out – otherwise, you can cause damage to your mower.

7. Slow and steady and more often. Nice and slow on the mowing front – the slower the better for your blades…even halve those mow tracks to minimise the amount of grass getting stuck underneath. Aim to mow at a higher length and more frequently to eventually get the desired length you’re after.

8. Clean your mower before you pack it away – we all hate this part, but it’s essential to the longevity and quality of your mower. Make sure it is properly dry and clean before storing it away until next time.

9. Stand on your back step and admire what you have achieved.