Cutting the Grass When Wet: All You Need to Know & What Not to Do

After weeks of rain, the lawn might look like they desperately need a trim. However, cutting the grass when wet is a complex topic that’s been up for discussion for a long time. If you can’t wait for the sunny days to come around, you might wonder if cutting the grass when wet is okay.

This article will clearly answer your questions about whether you should cut the grass while it’s still damp and the best method for cutting the grass when wet. On that note, let’s dive in.

Is It Okay to Cut Grass When Wet?

It’s always ideal to let the grass dry before cutting it. However, the grass blades usually continue to grow even while wet for a long time. In such a case, cutting the grass while it’s still wet might be best to prevent it from growing too tall and eventually going to seed. Most times, cutting wet grass depends on its level of saturation. The less saturation of the grasses, the better for your lawn mower.

Why You Should Avoid Cutting the Grass When Wet

There are many reasons why you shouldn’t cut the grass when wet. Below are some leading reasons you should consider the next time you’re wondering why you shouldn’t cut the grass when wet.

It Can Damage Lawn Mowers

Cutting the grass when wet can take a toll on your lawn mower. Most times, cutting wet grass would result in the lawn mower overheating. When you notice that cutting the wet grass is beginning to strain the lawn mower, you should stop cutting till the grass starts to dry.

It Is Dangerous for You

Cutting the grass when wet is not just dangerous for the lawn mower; it is riskier for you. No matter how much traction your shoes have, there’s a chance of slipping and falling. Falling on wet grass is enough, but falling while operating machinery with spinning blades is quite dangerous.

There’s a danger of electrocution if you use an electric corded mower. It also puts your clothes in danger because wet grass stains are much worse than dry grass.

Mowers Struggle to Cut Wet Grass Evenly

When the grass is wet, it might bend when a mower passes over it. As a result, you might not cut most grass blades, resulting in an uneven shred. Unfortunately, this would leave most of your lawn with an uneven cut. Additionally, wet glasses tend to clump together, making it difficult for the mower’s blades to cut through. As a result, it would end up with a shabby cut.

Luckily, you must examine your lawn to see if the grass blades are bent over. If the grass is standing up straight, you can mow your lawn.

It’s a Way to Spread Fungal Disease

Fungus tends to thrive in a wet environment. Therefore, it’s unsurprising that conditions like brown patch diseases could develop on the lawn. If you leave clumps of damp, matted grass clippings on the lawn without ample airflow, the grass will be more susceptible to fungal diseases. In addition, the wet grass clippings that stick to the underside of the mower deck can also develop mold. This could result in mold spreading to the lawn the next time you mow.

Wet Grass Is Difficult to Cut When It’s Tall

Although wet grass is difficult to cut, it’s even more difficult when the grass gets long. Therefore, it’s best to hold off on cutting the grass when wet. It could clog up your mower’s deck and result in uneven grass cuts.

Cutting the Grass When Wet – Best Practices

Although it’s a compromise, there are some practices to ensure you get the best result from your wet grasses while cutting them. Below are some effective tips you can implement to get the best result. So, without further ado, let’s dive in.

Ensure Your Blades Are Sharp

When cutting the grass wet, you should ensure your mower blades are sharp. If they’re not scalpel-sharp, it would be difficult to cut the wet grass. You might need to make several passes over the same wet patch before making even a fraction of the typical cut. Due to this, it could take a much longer time to cut the grass.

Use Side-Discharge Mode

Before cutting the grass when wet, ensure that you use all the safety precautions necessary. First, standing on the lawn should test the soil’s saturation. If you sink into the grass or water rises beyond the edges of your shoes, then you shouldn’t cut the grass. If there’s no standing water present, ensure you set the mower to side-discharge mode. Although this leaves rows of cut grass on your grass for manual bagging, it could save you the mess of dealing with a wet mower bag.

Set the Lawn Mower Deck to a High Setting

To ensure the most even cut, you should set the lawn mower’s deck to a high setting. This would allow you to cut the blades to at least 3-4 inches long. However, getting a close shave could be difficult if you’re cutting the grass when wet. Therefore, you should use the highest setting to give the mower a better chance.

Don’t Use a Roller Mower

Roller mowers are heavier than other mowers and tend to leave skid marks on each side of the lawn. Therefore, avoid roller mowers and cut with a wheeled mower. This would ensure that your lawn remains in excellent condition even when it becomes dry.

Cut Higher Than Usual

Wet grass tends to clog up mowers easily. Therefore, to get optimal results, you should raise the height of the cut by a click or two. It can be tricky to get a decent finish until you raise the height. To find the height that works for you, experiment with various heights.

Final Thoughts

It is usually ideal to wait until the grass is dry enough before you start cutting. This makes it easy to walk through the lawn, avoid wet shoes, and get an even cut. However, this isn’t always a viable option, especially if you live in a wet region or it’s spring. If cutting the grass when wet is the only option, you should follow the tips shared below; they’ll ensure you get the best cut despite the wetness of the grass.