Mowing the lawn is a landscaping activity that the vast majority of homeowners handle on their own. It’s a great opportunity to spend time outside and care for your property. That being said, there is a right way to mow your lawn and a wrong way. Many homeowners end up mowing their lawn too short or too often, which can result in some significant problems for their grass. Another big mistake that people make is mowing their lawn when the grass is wet. You should absolutely avoid mowing your lawn after a heavy thunderstorm. Even lighter rain can make for poor mowing conditions. Below, we are going to go through the reasons why mowing your lawn when it is wet is never a good idea so that you can avoid hurting your lawn and achieve the yard you’ve always dreamed of. This article is brought to you by Cal Blend Soils, the leading provider of landscaping supplies in the California area.

1. Mowing Wet Grass is Bad for Your Lawnmower

The first reason why you should avoid mowing your lawn when it is wet is that it can be bad for your lawnmower. Lawnmowers can be expensive, and the last thing you want to have to pay for is a repair. Moisture can cause big problems for the mower’s fuel tank, rust some of its metal parts, and even result in engine issues. Corrosion is a byproduct of mowing while wet and can end up costing you money if you aren’t careful. The wet conditions and wet grass you are cutting will cause your mower’s blades to either rust up or not function at full capacity.

2. Mowing Wet Grass Damages Your Lawn

You might be thinking that anytime you are mowing your lawn you are helping your grass, but this is not the case when it is wet. You want the grass blades to be sticking up off of the ground to get the best results. The problem is that when grass is wet, it’s in a position that makes the blades of grass stay close to the ground. This will result in having uneven grass that does not look good at all.

Cutting wet grass also results in the grass getting torn rather than cut. This can lead to fungal infestations that can kill your grass. These fungal diseases typically occur on wet grass clippings that form big clumps. These grass clippings will lead to brown spots that can spread all over your yard if you aren’t careful. Additionally, riding over your lawn when it’s wet can lead to the wheels of the mower forming ruts on the surface of your lawn. These ruts will damage the grass. The best case scenario when you are mowing your grass while it’s wet is that it will compact the soil and not harm the grass. However, compacted soil can lead to other long term problems, so it’s best to completely avoid mowing when it’s wet.

3. Mowing Wet Grass is Unsafe

Your personal safety is also at risk when you decide to mow your lawn while it’s wet. Using an electric mower in wet conditions is obviously not a good idea. Often times we mow our lawns on a slope or incline. When the grass is wet, the mower has a better chance of slipping and losing control. If you aren’t careful, you could end up with a pulled muscle, a broken bone, or more serious injuries. It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to landscaping activities, and mowing the lawn is no exception.

4. Mowing Wet Grass Results in Extra Work

There are so many things that we need to do to keep our landscaping looking great. The last thing we want to do is cause more work for ourselves. If you decide to mow your lawn while it’s wet, you are creating more work for yourself and making your life a lot more difficult. That’s because you won’t be able to do a good job when the grass is wet. You will likely end up with uneven grass that needs to be cut again. Also, your clothing and shoes will get covered in wet grass stains which are a real pain to clean out. It’s always better to mow during dry conditions so that you don’t create more work for yourself. Working smarter is key to any landscaper’s success.

If you insist on mowing your lawn in wet conditions, there are a few tips to keep in mind that will help you make the most of it. For example, if you need an emergency mowing to show your home to potential buyers or if you know it will continue raining frequently for the next few weeks, you might just want to head out there and get the wet grass mowed. If you find yourself in a situation where you simply have to mow your wet grass, you should add some stabilizer to your mower’s gasoline. It’s also a good idea to raise the mower wheels so that you don’t put as much stress on the engine. Make sure you rake up all of the clippings after you are done to avoid the mold we mentioned earlier. Lastly, take the time to clean your mower deck after the job is complete to avoid rust and other moisture-related damages

The best approach is to simply avoid mowing your lawn when it is wet. It’s not worth all of the problems you will potentially run into. Hopefully, this article has provided you with some valuable landscaping advice that saves you effort and helps you get your lawn looking amazing. Remember to reach out to Cal Blend Soils for all of your landscaping supply needs. Connect with Cal Blend Soils today if you have any questions about the best approaches for mowing your lawn.