Can You Cut Wet Grass? (2024)

FAQs

Can You Cut Wet Grass? ›

It's best to wait for wet grass to dry before mowing. Wet grass clippings can clog your mower, causing it to choke and spit out clumps of wet grass that could smother and kill your lawn if left unraked. It's best to wait for wet grass to dry before mowing.

Mowing wet lawns increases the risk of rut damage, since the soil is softer and more slippery for mowers, and the grass roots can more easily be torn out by the mower tires. That said, lighter weight Wright mowers with their large wheels enable you to mow over wetter ground with less risk of rut damage.

How soon can you cut grass after rain? Wait until the grass is dry, which will usually take at least a few hours. Walk through the lawn before mowing, and if your shoes or feet come away wet, don't mow yet. If they're mostly dry, you should be good to go.

If the grass is only slightly damp and the ground is not excessively wet, cutting the grass after rain is generally acceptable. However, if the grass is still saturated and the ground is waterlogged, it is advisable to wait until it dries out a bit more to avoid clumping and potential damage to the lawn.

Unlike rain, morning dew is moisture mostly on the leaf and doesn't cause excessive amounts of water to be present within the soil. This can mean that mowing while there is still dew present on the leaf, isn't as much of a concern as mowing after rain.

If it looks muddy or feels soft, it's probably better to wait on cutting the grass.

Both the University of Rhode Island Landscape Horticulture Program and Ohio State Extension Master Gardener agree that it is better to mow grass when it is dry, but the only reason seems to be that the cut grass blades tend to stick together when they are wet and leave clumps of unsightly grass piles on your lawn.

Never mow wet or frosty grass

This can damage your turf and compact the soil. Wait until later in the day when the lawn has dried out or defrosted, or postpone mowing to another day.

Aerate Your Lawn

The simplest strategy you can try if there are parts of your yard that stay wet too long is to aerate your lawn. Aerating reduces compaction in the soil so that water can percolate through it faster.

The answer is that mulching the clippings is better for your lawn. That's because when you mulch the clippings, they will eventually break down and return nutrients to your soil. One of the most common misconceptions about mulching grass clippings is that it causes a thatch build-up problem.

What is the best time to cut the grass? ›

However, most professional gardeners would agree that between 8 AM and 10 AM is the best time of day to cut your grass. The reason for that is that lawns need time to heal before evening. Grass needs the benefit of the day to dry and heal before dusk settles.

Grass in a well kept lawn can dry in as little as an hour, or even less, if the sun comes out and there's a nice breeze and the humidity is low. Such conditions can and do occasionally prevail immediately after a thunderstorm.

Generally, anytime after 6 p.m. is too late to be cutting your grass.

It's best to wait for wet grass to dry before mowing. Wet grass clippings can clog your mower, causing it to choke and spit out clumps of wet grass that could smother and kill your lawn if left unraked. It's best to wait for wet grass to dry before mowing.

A good gauge is the 'shoe test' – press down on the grass with your boot or shoe, and if water pools up around the print, the lawn needs longer to dry out. If you mow when it's this wet, you'll end up with a muddy mess and grass clippings will stick together to form a wet mat on the lawn.

Cutting wet grass can dull the blade more quickly. Clean blades thoroughly before and after mowing a lawn when wet to keep the cut as sharp as possible. Stop and turn off the mower to check your blades as you go along, to clear any clogs that may form on the underside or at the side discharge.

Mowing before rain means that the grass can take in more water and heal better. Then the wounds can close sooner, and the grass will spread and grow. Mowing before rain can help your grass be much healthier. If you mow after rain, there are more dangers that risk your safety.

Yes it's fine. The reason ppl don't like to do it is because your mower bag will fill quicker and be heavier, get clogged easier, it's generally a harder job but it's fine if you do it. Just a little harder.