Anyone with a lawn has probably heard that mowing the lawn directly after it rains is not the best idea.
However, they may not know exactly what the reasons behind this important rule of thumb are.
These points also raise other questions like, “What are the risks of mowing the lawn after it rains?”, “How much rain matters?” or “How long should I wait after it rains before I set about mowing the grass?”
Read on to find the answers to these and other vital questions.
What to Know About Wet Grass
The biggest problem is that wet grass can be a more significant strain on your lawnmower and can even cause it to overheat or even damage.
This issue also depends on the strength of the mower and the length of the grass that’s cut.
A powerful mower with sharpened blades and top-quality cutting decks may not have such a hard time.
If you’re not sure if your mower will have problems cutting the grass on your lawn, go ahead and try a row. If the mower becomes bogged down, best save the task for later.
Wet grass Doesn’t Stand Straight
Another essential point to consider is that wet grass doesn’t stand straight. This point means the taller blades of grass may not get cut and just get pushed down.
Once the lawn dries, the blades of grass will stand back up that the mow seems very uneven.
Before you set about your task, take a closer look at the lawn and see if any blades of grass are bent over. Once they are all standing straight, your lawn is ready for mowing.
Wet Grass Can Result In Larger Clippings
Wet grass is also less likely to cut evenly, and this can result in larger clippings.
When these clippings clump together, they can also block the mower deck.
Some lawn mowers, like the Aero Core, have air tapered decks which avoid this issue to some extent.
Still, you should always be more careful when mowing a wet lawn and check the mower deck frequently.
Wet Grass Will Not Mulch As Nicely As Dry Grass
Wet grass will not mulch as nicely as dry grass, and this means the grass gets deposited on the lawn in heavy clumps.
The clumps do not spread well across the lawn. Therefore the grass can get suffocated and kill off sections across your lawn.
Mowing Over A Wet Lawn Risks Rut Damage
Mowing over a wet lawn also carries the risk of rut damage. Because the soil below is wet and soggy, the grassroots can be pulled up and damaged by the wheels of the lawnmower.
However, some mowers weigh very little, like the light-weight Wright mowers. These lawnmowers have larger wheels that can easily move over the wet ground without the risk of rut damage.
But, the first thing to do will be to check the soil. If the ground feels muddy or soft, it may be better to wait till the lawn dries.
Other Reasons Not To Cut Wet Grass
There are plenty of other reasons to avoid cutting the grass when the lawn is still wet.
For one, cut wet grass can introduce diseases to the lawn that will lead to some severe problems.
Furthermore, you run the risk of slipping on the wet grass, and this can result in serious injury.
Avoid Cutting Your Grass On A Baking Hot Day
In reverse to waiting for your lawn to dry out, avoid cutting your grass on a hot baking day.
The sun beating down on the lawn in the heat of the day can place undue strain on the lawn and lead to scorching.
Furthermore, it is not always the best idea to handle this type of work in the heat of the sun as you risk sunstroke and dehydration.
Our Final Conclusion
Ideally, the best time to cut the grass is when you can walk across the lawn and not end up with wet shoes.
Cutting the grass when it’s not damp is not always possible, of course, so there may be times when you will have to mow a slightly damp lawn.
But, if you follow our tips and pointers above and invest in a top-quality lawn mower, many of the risks and dangers of mowing a wet lawn can be avoided.
If you need help with landscaping Milton Keynes services, contact us for a chat