Can you mow your lawn when it is wet

What you will do when the situation is specifically serious—the grass has truly become unruly and you have not mowed for a long time. Will you wait? If yes, then you are planning to ruin your own lawn. In the scenario mentioned above, it is better to mow in wet conditions instead of waiting for a miracle to happen.

Read ahead to find out how to mow wet grass safely. The truth is, there are some convincing reasons why mowing wet grass is not good. There are the risks of slipping and falling. Furthermore, the cuttings will form clumps that will make the lawn appear patchy. At the same time, the final cut may not be neat due to the grass being wet. There is another risk of chlorophyll stain, as it is likely to occur more easily in dampness than in dryness.

The stain will not only be seen on the mower but also on your clothes, skin, and the adjoining patio appearing green due to the clumped cuttings. Above all, drenched grass is sticky. However, you can get around this risk by moving slowly and cleaning up a bit after mowing for some time. If you love perfection, we recommend you to wait for the grass to dry. However, mowing wet grass does not necessarily mean that you will be facing these risks.

Here are some facts for you to learn and digest if you want to mow when the grass is wet. If these four conditions are fulfilled and you truly are in a gridlock, go ahead and mow that wet lawn. This is a famous question that most people ask. Should you wait for an hour or for two days? Loss of Air Causing the Mower to Stall The loss of air flow to the engine caused by too tall or too thick grass or a dirty air filter is often the reason a mower engine stalls.

When you try to mow on overgrown lawn , you end up clogging the air filter and shutting off air to the engine. Can you mow wet grass with electric mower? If it sinks as you walk, it is too wet. Second, it is never safe to use an electric mower with an extension cord when mowing wet grass this should be obvious, I think. Third, your mower blades need to be very sharp. Yes, it's better to wait until the lawn is dry again. Many lawn care professionals prefer to bag grass clippings during mowing for a crisp, clean look.

However, there are several benefits to mulching grass clippings instead of bagging them. Don't wait too long before mowing a lawn; mow frequently and consistently so clippings do not turn into thatch. Using an electric lawn mower on wet grass—especially with an extension cord—runs the risk of electric shock. When the connections not to mention any wiring just beneath worn or damaged portions of the cord are exposed to moisture, that could mean damage to the machine and an electrocution to its operator.

When done, clean the lawn mower or strimmer to remove any grass clippings that may be stuck on the blades and the underside of the cutting deck. If you leave that much dirt on the lawn mower, there will be moss growing on the blades and other parts of the machine. Leaving the mower dirty with grass damp clippings and moisture exposes it to the risk of rusting and getting spoiled.

You might also want to drain the fuel just in case it is contaminated with moisture. So, how wet is too wet to cut grass? When the rainy season kicks in, it can be difficult to get a dry lawn. So, how long should you wait to mow the grass after it rains?

How long you should wait will depend on how dewy your lawn is. After light showers, you only need to wait for 2 to 5 hours for the grass to dry before mowing it.

Rainstorms can leave the ground soggy and in such a case, you may have to wait for up to a day to mow safely without damaging the lawn. To reduce the time it takes, you can clear the dew off the grass to make it lighter and ready for mowing. Hi, Alex Kuritz.

Growing up I remember that my family had one of the best lawns in the neighborhood. Richly green and lush. I can say I have years of experience, and I am here to share it with you. Please leave your comments below as I try to respond to everyone that has questions.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Table of Contents show. Is it bad to mow wet grass? Uneven cutting. Clippings clump on the lawn. Easy spread of diseases. It is too much work. You risk slipping. You agree that BobVila. All rights reserved. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. Often, it'll actually do more harm than good. Read on for the best—and safest—solutions for this common homeowner conundrum.

By Bob Vila. More From Bob Vila. The Best Electric Mowers of When, Why, and How to Dethatch a Lawn.