Can you mow wet grass?
When it comes to keeping your lawn tidy and your grass trimmed, Mother Nature doesn’t always respect your schedule.
Maybe you wanted to give your grass one last mow before a trip, or this was the one clear day for yardwork in your otherwise busy schedule. If you’re in such a pinch, you may be wondering if you can mow your wet grass. The short answer is you can, but it’s not ideal. Let's find out why mowing wet grass might be a bad idea and explore some options for when you have no choice.
Is it bad to cut wet grass?
While there are things you can do in every season to care for your lawn, cutting wet grass can negatively affect both the appearance and long-term health of your lawn. Mowing wet grass can lead to unsightly patches, soil damage, mower strain and even lawn disease. While lawn mowers can technically cut wet grass, it’s not advisable for several reasons:
Uneven cutting
Wet grass clumps together and gets weighed down, causing it to stand at varying heights. This causes the lawn mower blades to tear the grass unevenly instead of cutting it cleanly, resulting in a patchy and inconsistent look.
Mower damage
Because of its tendency to clump, wet grass can start to clog your mower and put excessive strain on the engine, potentially leading to costly repairs. Although some high-powered mowers are better equipped for cutting wet grass , you should refer to your owner's manual for specific guidance.
Soil compaction
When your lawn is wet, the soil becomes softer and more vulnerable to compaction from the weight of your mower. Compacted soil restricts root growth, making it harder for grass to absorb water and nutrients, and may lead to poor water drainage.
Mowing after heavy rain can also create wheel ruts in the soft, wet soil, leading to deep grooves and depressions that can make future mowing more difficult by creating an uneven surface, possibly also further restricting drainage.
Disease
Wet grass is more prone to tearing, which creates an entry point for pathogens. Combined with wet conditions that favor fungal growth, cutting wet grass increases the risk of common diseases like:
- Red thread: Causes reddish pink patches of dead grass.
- Dollar spot: Creates small, silver-dollar-sized spots of bleached, straw-colored grass.
- Rust disease: Causes orange or yellowish spots on the individual blades of grass.
Wet grass can also stick to your mower and spread disease spores across your lawn as you mow, enabling more widespread infections.
How soon after it rains can you mow the lawn?
It’s generally advisable to wait at least 24 hours after it rains before mowing your lawn. However, factors such as local climate, seasonality and recent weather patterns can all influence how quickly your lawn dries. For instance, heavy rains or overcast conditions may require a longer wait, while strong sunlight might do the trick within a few hours.
To decide if your lawn is ready for mowing, here's a simple test: Reach down and check the grass’s bounce. If it feels damp or clumpy, it’s still too wet, but if the blades feel dry and spring back up, your grass may be ready to mow. You can also perform the “footprint test.” If your footsteps leave visible marks in the soil, it’s best to wait a bit longer.
Types of mowers
Just like a carpenter choosing the right tool for the job, picking the right mower helps your lawn get the best care it needs. Let’s explore each type of mower for your lawn:
Self-propelled mowers
For those seeking more efficiency and control, self-propelled mowers ease your physical burden by moving forward on their own, providing added precision and steady cutting, even on wet grass. Heavier models, however, run the risk of soil compaction and wheel ruts, especially in wetter conditions. They are well-suited for medium-sized lawns and moderate slopes but should be avoided on overly saturated soil.
Riding mowers
Riding mowers offer a more powerful solution for large lawns, allowing for quick coverage even in damp conditions. Models with high-power engines may be able to handle thick or wet grass better than other types. Zero-turn mowers, a type of riding mower that uses independent wheel motors to turn on the spot, have enhanced maneuverability. This makes them ideal for navigating tight spaces and ensuring that no patches of grass are left uncut.
While riding mowers offer advanced precision, their heavy weight significantly increases the risk of soil compaction and wheel ruts. Additionally, their size makes navigating slopes and tight spaces challenging. Riding mowers are best suited on large, flat lawns.
Robotic lawn mowers
Robotic lawn mowers are a lot like the robotic floor cleaners you may have seen, except they cut grass instead of cleaning floors. A robot lawn mower can be set to run on a recurring, programmable schedule, helping you automate your lawn care routine. They’re not as well-suited for tackling thick or overgrown lawns, but they do excel at keeping a consistently short and tidy lawn with almost no effort. Many robot mowers are certified to operate in the rain and are usually lightweight enough not to cause soil compaction. Since they cut less grass at a time, there’s also a reduced risk of tearing or clumping the grass.
Some robotic lawn mowers, like Husqvarna’s Automower® line, come with advanced features like:
- Weather-resistant build: Automowers® are built to withstand the elements so your lawn care routine stays on schedule come rain or shine.
- Weather timer: This feature adjusts cutting schedules and frequency based on seasonality, with more frequent cuttings in high-growth seasons that become less frequent during low-growth seasons.
- Remote object detection: Ultrasonic technology to help your mower navigate any obstacles in its way, such as lawn furniture, planters, trees and more.
- App and integrations: Remotely control your mower with the mobile app or smart home devices Amazon Alexa and Google Home.
- Tilt and lift sensors: These sensors shut the mower down if the mower is lifted or otherwise removed from its standard operating position.
- GPS-assisted navigation: Helps get around your lawn with impressive accuracy.
Types of mowers vs. rain
| Type of mower | Effort required | Effectiveness on wet grass | Risk of soil compaction | Best use scenario |
| Self-propelled mower | Moderate. | Moderate. Better control and cutting but can still clog. | Moderate. Heavier than manual, risk of ruts on especially wet soil. | Medium-sized lawns, gentle slopes. |
| Riding mower | Low. | High but still susceptible to clogging in especially wet conditions. | High. Very heavy, likely to cause deep ruts. | Large, flat lawns with moderate dampness. |
| Robot lawn mower | None. | High with regular use. Low if lawn is overgrown. | Low. | Consistent, short grass maintenance. |
Guide to cutting wet grass
In some climates or seasons, waiting a full 24 hours after it rains may not be possible. So, if you must mow wet grass now, here are a few tips:
- Check your mower: Refer to the owner’s manual for proper maintenance and recommended personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Adjust mower height: Set the mower to a higher cutting height than usual to avoid cutting too much of the wet grass at once. Cutting wet grass too short can lead to severe tearing and clumping, putting more strain on the mower.
- Go slowly: When cutting wet grass, slow and steady wins the race. Mowing at a slower pace reduces clumping and allows your mower to cut the wet grass more evenly.
- Overlap passes: Add a slight overlap to each pass with the mower to help catch any grass that was flattened or missed during the last pass.
- Avoid sharp turns: Make gradual, gentler turns instead of sharp ones to prevent tearing the wet grass or creating deep wheel ruts.
- Clean the bag often: If you’re using a bagged mower, empty the clipping bag often to avoid a larger mess and help the mower’s efficiency.
- Rake clumped clippings: After mowing, use a rake to remove any clumped grass clippings that could smother the lawn and block sunlight, potentially leading to dead patches and fungal growth.
- Aerate compacted soil: If you find any wheel ruts or signs of soil compaction, consider aerating the area with a garden fork or aerator. Soil aeration involves perforating the soil to relieve pressure and improve air and water flow, helping to support a healthy lawn even after mowing in less-than-ideal conditions.
In summary
Can you mow wet grass? While it’s better to mow dry grass, you may be able to get away with it if you take a few extra precautions: Mow slowly, use a high-power mower and check your lawn and soil afterward to minimize damage. You might also consider an Automower®, which can better handle light, routine cuts in damp conditions. Click here for more lawn care tips for every season.
