Can You Mow Wet Grass? | Mowing Wet Grass Tips

No, you should not mow wet grass. Not only are there several safety risks that can arise while you're mowing a damp lawn, but you'll also be unhappy with the cut quality of your lawn care. It's always best to wait for your grass to dry before your mower blades touch the grass, even if you have a powerful wet grass mower like Mowrator's S1 Remote Control Lawn Mower 4WD.

If you want to know how wet grass can impact your lawn mower, the best way to mow damp grass, and how to clean your mower after rainfall — you've come to the right place.

Key Takeaways

• You should avoid cutting wet grass as it can lead to uneven cuts, damaged grass blades, and even cause infections in your lawn.
• You should wait a few hours or several days after rainy conditions.
• Wet conditions can impact your lawnmower's engine, physical chassis, operability, and eventual maintenance.
• Mowing wet grass requires extensive prep, including adjusting your blade height, sharpening your mower blades, and using a side discharge or bagging system.

Why Shouldn't You Cut Wet Grass?

You should avoid mowing in wet conditions as it can severely impact the quality of your mow, damage your lawn mower, and lead to personal injury. In a study by Monash University, approximately 12% of lawnmower injuries occurred when clearing wet grass from mowers.

Wet grass blades tend to lay flat on the ground, which makes it difficult to get a clean cut with your mower blades. If you mow grass when it's wet, the grass can become damaged, uprooted, and torn during the process. Damaged lawns can lead to stressed blades, patches of brown, and even dead grass in the worst cases.

The wet grass clippings you mow can also spread diseases, according to an article published on Research Gate article from the University of Arkansas. Clumps of grass clippings left over can stockpile, leading to reduced sunlight, restricted airflow, and flourishing floral infections.

How Long After Rain Should You Mow Your Lawn?

You should wait a few hours to days to cut grass after it rains, depending on the rain's intensity and the grass's condition. Even if your grass looks dry, it may still be wet enough that cutting your lawn will only be worth it once a couple of hours have passed.

You can use the “Shoe Test” to tell if your lawn is dry. Take a stroll around your yard. If water begins pooling around your foot, the grass is wet, and you shouldn't mow your lawn. Otherwise, if you bend a grass blade, and it snaps quickly, your lawn should be dry enough to mow.

How does Wet Grass Impact Your Lawnmower?

Mowing wet grass forces your engine to work up to 50% harder, increases the likelihood of overheating and stalling, and reduces overall cut quality. Wet clippings can also clog your mower and require more frequent maintenance. When possible, always avoid mowing wet grass.

What are the Best Methods for Mowing a Wet Lawn?

If you must mow wet grass, the best method for mowing wet grass is to go slow and steady, with lots of preparation beforehand. Here are some essential preparation tactics you should complete if you're planning to mow your wet lawn:

• Sharpen the Blades: Ensure the mower blades are sharp to cut through the wet grass and prevent tearing cleanly.
• Raise the Cutting Height: Set the mower to a higher cutting height to avoid overloading the machine and reduce clumping.
• Use a Side Discharge: If possible, use the side discharge rather than a bagger or mulching mode to prevent clogs.

Once you're prepped for lawn mowing, here are some tips to minimise the damage that clumps of wet grass can have on your lawn mower. Remember: While you can mow wet grass, it's always best to avoid mowing in damp conditions.

• Mow Slowly: Go slowly to allow the mower to handle the heavier, damp grass effectively.
• Mow in Different Directions: Change the mowing direction with each pass to minimise stress on the grass and prevent ruts.
• Avoid Soft Areas: Steer clear of overly wet or muddy spots to prevent damaging the lawn or getting the mower stuck.

While the answer to “Can wet grass be mowed?” is generally no, some lawnmowers are more up to the challenge than others. Mowrator's S1 Remote Control Lawn Mower 4WD is built to mow up to 43 cm tall grass, thanks to its powerful Beast™ motor and efficient LiFePO4 battery. Shop our extensive range of lawnmowers and accessories today.

FAQs on Can You Mow Wet Grass?

Will a lawnmower work if it gets wet?

No, your lawnmower may not work if it gets wet. Instead, you may find that your lawnmower engine doesn't start or has reduced performance. If you have an electric lawnmower, you may even find yourself getting an electric shock if the wet weather has impacted the circuitry of your lawnmower.

Gas-powered lawnmowers may struggle to start if water is in the fuel tank, potentially stalling and malfunctioning as you try to keep your lawn cut and clean.

How to fix a lawnmower that was left in the rain?

You can fix a lawnmower left in the rain by inspecting which systems were potentially affected by the weather. First, dry all your lawn mower's critical parts, like the engine, spark plug, and battery. Check if your fuel tank has any water and drain it if necessary. Finally, replace your wet air filter and spray carburettor cleaner into your air intake.

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