Wet lawn mowing: Is it a good idea?
Your lawn has grown and you want to mow it? It has been raining for days and your lawn is wet? Many hobby gardeners are familiar with this problem and therefore ask themselves whether they can mow their lawn when it is wet and what they need to bear in mind.
In this article, we will address the question of whether you should mow your wet lawn and how best to go about it. You will learn what care your lawnmower needs after a wet mowing and what weather is ideal for mowing the lawn.
Can I mow my wet lawn?
No, it is not a good idea to mow wet grass – you could even harm it.
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What should I consider when mowing wet grass?
If you want to mow wet grass, you should not walk on it beforehand and leave it a little higher.
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How do I care for my lawn mower after mowing wet?
Clean your lawnmower immediately after mowing and remove all clippings.
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What weather is ideal for mowing the lawn?
It is best to mow your lawn when it is dry and cloudy.
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Can I mow my wet lawn?
Is it a good idea to mow wet grass? No, it's not. There are many reasons why you shouldn't get your lawn mower out when it's raining.
If your lawn is wet, the blades of grass will bend. The water drops settle on the blades of grass and press them down. This means that your lawnmower will not get to most of the blades of grass. It can even happen that the grass tears in places.
Another problem is that the ground in your garden becomes soft due to the rain. This means that it takes a lot more strength to move the lawnmower across the lawn. You could also slip.
Have you ever mown wet grass? You've probably noticed that your lawnmower is pretty dirty afterwards. The wet grass clippings not only stick to the grass catcher, but also to the blades. So you have to clean your mower thoroughly after mowing wet grass.
What you should keep in mind when mowing wet lawns
You've probably experienced this situation: you've started mowing your lawn and suddenly it starts to rain. As long as it's not raining too hard, you'll probably want to mow the last few strips before you're done. There are a number of scenarios where you might want to mow your lawn while it's wet or you just can't avoid it.
You should consider the following aspects:
Do not run on the lawn:
Don't walk over your lawn beforehand. This will flatten it even further and the blades of your lawnmower will not reach the blades of grass. This will result in very uneven results.
Adjust the cutting height:
If you want to mow the lawn when it is wet, you should set the blades of your mower to the highest setting beforehand. This will reduce the risk of damaging your lawn or even the turf.
Wear sturdy shoes:
When mowing wet grass, you could slip. Therefore, make sure you wear sturdy shoes with a suitable sole. This will give you the grip you need on your lawn.
Do not mow when there is waterlogging:
If your lawn is completely soaked and puddles have even formed, you should postpone mowing. It will then not be possible to mow properly and you could cause damage by mowing the lawn.
If you want to mow wet grass, the tips above will help you get the best possible results. However, your lawn may still be cut unevenly and not look as good as it would after a dry mowing. This cannot be avoided when mowing wet grass.
Can I mulch wet grass?
There is another important point to remember when mowing wet grass: you should never mulch it. The grass clippings will then also be wet. If you spread them over the lawn, it could lead to disease or rot. Wet grass clippings often clump, meaning they cannot be spread evenly and prevent your lawn from being aerated. To prevent damage to the lawn, you should compost or mulch wet clippings.
How should I care for my lawn mower after cutting the grass?
If you have mown your lawn when it was wet, you should clean your lawnmower thoroughly immediately afterward. Wet clippings have a habit of sticking. This means that there are probably clippings stuck to all parts of your mower that you now need to remove. It is important that you do not wait a few days to do this, but remove them immediately.
Empty the grass catcher of your mower and remove all the blades of grass. The easiest way to do this is with a water hose or a high-pressure cleaner. If clippings remain in the grass catcher, they can become moldy.
Then remove all residue from the blades of your mower. The cut grass tends to get stuck here and can be a problem the next time you mow. It is extremely important that the lawn mower blades are sharp, especially when mowing wet grass.
Only then can you cut the lawn perfectly without damaging it. Therefore, before mowing, check the condition of the blades and whether you need to replace them. At RasenExpert you will find the right replacement blades.
In what weather is it best to mow the lawn?
Mowing wet grass is possible, but it is not ideal for your lawn. You may be wondering what weather conditions are optimal for mowing the lawn.
You may have already thought about it: it's best to mow your lawn when it's dry. Then your lawnmower will catch all the blades of grass and can cut them without any problem. They won't be torn off or crushed, but cut cleanly. This will give you the best cutting result and also prevent diseases.
You should also pay attention to the temperature. Never mow your lawn in strong sunlight. This could cause the cut areas to burn. Therefore, postpone mowing until the early morning or evening hours. In summer, it can be a good idea to let the grass stand a little longer.
You should also avoid mowing during frost. This would cause great damage to your lawn.
Can I scarify and fertilize wet lawns?
If your lawn is wet, you should wait until it has dried before mowing. This also applies to other work in your garden. If you want to scarify and fertilize, we also recommend choosing a dry day for this.
If the ground is wet, scarifying is not possible. The scarifying blades would get stuck in the ground and could destroy the turf. Therefore, make sure you wait until the ground is completely dry.
When fertilizing, you come across another problem. If you fertilize wet grass, the fertilizer sticks to the blades of grass. It does not penetrate into the soil where it should release its nutrients, but instead sits on the blades of grass. This is why you should also fertilize on a dry day. If you are looking for a high-quality fertilizer, then take a look at what RasenExpert has to offer.
Frequently asked questions about mowing & the right cutting height
How long you should wait to mow after rain depends on the weather. The best tip is to simply check the condition of the blades of grass. Touch them with your fingers and feel how wet they really are. Ideally, you should wait until the grass is completely dry.
Yes, many robotic lawnmowers can also drive in the rain. They have the advantage of being particularly light compared to you and your lawnmower. This means that it does not crush the blades of grass and can cut them. Most robotic lawnmowers have a rain sensor: if you do not want to drive it in the rain, you can usually set this.
You should mow your lawn at regular intervals to encourage its growth. Many people also find mowed lawns neat and tidy. If you let it grow for several weeks, mowing becomes more time-consuming and strenuous.
Conclusion: Mow your lawn better when it is dry
If you want to take the best care of your lawn, you should avoid mowing it when it is wet. Wait a few hours or days until it has dried. Then you can mow it and get a clean and healthy cut.