Let’s say you’re planning out a weekend of lawn care, when you check the forecast and there it is: rain.
So does that mean that mowing your lawn is now out? Is there a way to dry the lawn out quickly? And is it worse to cut grass that’s too wet, or too tall? To find out, we spoke with Sara Bendrick, licensed landscape contractor, TV personality, and STIHL Spokesperson, who agreed to walk us through the ins and outs of keeping a lawn looking good when the weather is foul.
When it comes to dealing with tall grass versus wet grass, Bendrick is unequivocal: “If I had to pick, I’d say mowing wet grass is worse. It’s harder on your mower, messier, and more likely to damage the lawn,” she says. “Tall grass might take more time to cut, but at least it’s dry—and safer for you and your tools.”
To learn more about the issues with mowing a wet lawn, how to tell if your lawn is too wet, or can be mown anyway, and how to mitigate the issues (including drying out your lawn a little faster), keep reading.
What Are the Risks of Mowing a Wet Lawn?
While it might seem that the biggest drawback would just be having wet grass stuck to your shoes, mowing a wet lawn, especially regularly, can create more problems both for your mower and your lawn.
“Wet grass bends under the weight of water,” explains Bendrick, “which can leave an uneven cut.” So while you might be trying to save time, you could actually be creating more work, as you’d have to go back over the lawn when it’s dry.
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Aside from being hard to cut evenly, wet grass can clog your mower deck. You’ll have to stop and flip it over to clear it.
“Cutting wet grass can also increase exposure to pathogens, especially fungus in warmer climates,” says Bendrick. This includes rust and brown patches as well as powdery mildews.
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Wet mowing spreads pathogens too.
If the soil is extremely saturated, it’s even possible that mowing a wet lawn will rut your yard. One Country Living editor learned this the hard way when a lawn service mowed shortly after an extended period of heavy spring rains.
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Saturated soil plus a mower bag heavy with wet clippings added up to a yard disaster.
Does Mowing Wet Grass Hurt Your Mower?
While it’s not a total disaster, says Bendrick, mowing wet grass isn’t great for your mower.
“The moisture makes clippings heavier and stickier,” she says, “which can clog the deck and dull your blades.” If you’ve ever had to stop mowing and flip your mower on its side so you can scoop out soggy grass, you know what Bendrick is saying.
And if you mow wet grass a lot, “the extra weight on the blades can strain the motor,” says Bendrick, “which can shorten the mower’s life.”
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Are Some Mowers Better at Cutting Wet Grass?
Well, not exactly. While there are tougher lawn mowers out there, regularly mowing wet grass is going to reduce the efficiency and lifespan of any machine. But a less powerful mower will certainly do a worse job.
“Mowing wet grass is tougher because the blades become denser and more resistant,” says Bendrick, “making it harder for the mower to cut cleanly. This increased resistance demands both higher torque and adequate power [for your lawn mower] to maintain [its] performance.”
There are mowers with stronger torque and power output that are better equipped to handle damp conditions. Bendrick recommends the Stihl RMA 453 PV. Mowers like this “can push through tougher turf without bogging down or losing efficiency,” she says.
“Choosing a mower with the right balance of power and torque, along with keeping the blades sharp, can make a noticeable difference when dealing with wet grass.”
How to Tell If Your Lawn Is Too Wet to Mow
There’s a difference between a damp lawn that you probably shouldn’t, but still can mow, and a lawn that is simply too wet to mow where you’ll do more damage than help.
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When in doubt, try the “footprint test.”
If you’re feeling like your lawn mower is up to the task, and you absolutely just can’t wait for your lawn to dry, then before you pull out the mower, Bendrick recommends doing the “footprint test:” Pull on your boots and take a walk across your lawn. “If your foot sinks in or leaves a mark,” says Bendrick, “it’s too wet to mow.”
In the event that your foot leaves a mark, Bendrick recommends waiting at least 24 hours for the lawn to dry. However, “heavy rain can mean waiting longer.” Either way, if you try the footprint test and your foot leaves a mark, it’s not ready.
How to Treat a Soggy Spot—Or a Whole Soggy Lawn
If a section of your lawn tends to take a long time to dry out after the rain—consistently taking longer than 24 hours to become mowable, you might want to take some steps to help it dry out quicker.
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Get out the rake.
In the short term, Bendrick suggests, “you can help speed up drying by raking off wet clumps” including leaves, debris, and clumps of uncut grass. This will help let sunlight reach the soil.
If one spot is consistently soggy, says Bendrick, “start by figuring out why it’s staying wet. Usually it’s compacted soil or a low spot.”
If the spot is simply lower than the rest of the lawn, Bendrick suggests adding topsoil or even regrading if needed. If it’s compacted, “consider aerating to improve drainage. If it’s really stubborn, installing a small drain or redirecting runoff may be the way to go.”
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There’s Dew On My Lawn. Is It Too Wet to Mow?
If you’re an early riser and considering trying to cross this chore off your list before the sun gets high, your lawn—and your sleepy neighbors—may thank you for waiting a bit.
“Morning dew won’t damage your mower the way rain-soaked grass might,” says Bendrick. “But it’s not ideal. The blades won’t cut as cleanly, and you might see some clumping.” If you can wait until the dew burns off, you’ll get better results.
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