Have you seen a neighbor mowing their lawn right after a big rainstorm? You probably thought, “Hmm. They shouldn’t be mowing right now.”
It's common knowledge that you’re not supposed to mow wet grass…but why?
We’re here to answer that question for you, with these four reasons why you shouldn’t be mowing wet grass:
- Safety
- Uneven cut
- Mold growth
- Longevity of your lawn equipment
However, there are some cases when mowing your grass wet isn't against the rules. We’ll cover the exceptions to the no-mowing-wet-grass rule too.
4 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULDN’T BE MOWING WET GRASS
1. Safety
Safety is the biggest concern when it comes to mowing wet grass. Wet grass is slippery, which means an increased risk of falling and/or injuring yourself.
In particular, if you have an electric mower, you should never mow near anything wet. As you well know, electricity and water never mix, as there is a risk of electric shock.
Additionally, when you mow wet grass, it tends to clump up and gather under the deck, causing you to make more frequent stops to remove clippings. This causes an added potential risk of injury, the more often you have to reach under your deck.
2. Uneven Cut
Wet grass has less of an ability to stand up straight, so when you are mowing over a wet lawn, the mower’s blades are only skimming the top and knocking the grass over. What’s more: the grass under the tires of your lawnmower and under your feet will be missed completely because they will be matted down as the mower goes across.
As your lawn dries, you’ll begin to see all the patches of grass your mower missed. Ultimately, both of these issues will cause an uneven lawn cut. That means you’ll more than likely have to mow your lawn again after the grass dries, due to the unevenness of the grass.
3. Mold Growth
If you choose to mow wet grass, the thick, wet clumps of grass that are left behind from the mower can begin to grow mold that can then spread throughout your lawn.
Mold can be very difficult to get rid of later and causes a huge headache. For this reason, it’s always important to rake up any grass clipping even after you mow your dry lawn.
4. Longevity of your Lawn Equipment
Most lawnmowers are not built to handle thick, saturated grass. Forcing your mower to work harder than it’s built to can result in the mower burning up or even failing, leaving you with a high ticket item to repair or replace.
In addition, rust may begin to occur on all the metal parts, such as your deck and wheels. That’s why, to help it last, your mower should always be under a cover or stored in a shed or garage.
WHEN IS IT SAFE TO MOW AFTER RAIN?
If you've driven past your neighbors and noticed them mowing their lawn after a rain shower, there may be some good reasons why. Here’s when it’s safe to mow after rain:
- A light rain shower may not leave your grass oversaturated or the ground soggy. Therefore, it's safe to mow.
You can check your lawn by walking around on the grass and, if you don't feel the ground sinking underneath nyou, then it can probably stand the weight of your mower.
Also, after you've walked through your grass, check your shoes and if they are slightly damp to almost dry, then the grass will be safe to stand the blades. - Another reason it might be safe to mow after a rainstorm is depending on what kind of mower you have.
A commercial-grade mower can handle a little more wet grass than a standard lawn mower. However, you still have to take into consideration how much it weighs and if the ground can handle the weight.
While it may be inconvenient to wait to mow your lawn until after the grass has dried, you’ll ensure safety, have an even cut, avoid mold growth, and increase the longevity of your lawn equipment.
For help with lawn mowing in the greater Buxton, Maine area with your landscaping needs, contact us at Prime Cut Landscaping & Lawn Care today!