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Can You Cut Wet Grass? Mowing Hacks That’ll Change the Look of Your Garden

Mike Dover
Written By Mike Dover
Original Publish Date: Jul 11, 2024, 01:35 PM
Last updated: Sep 3, 2024, 12:44 AM
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Cutting grass in summer, especially after a good watering session, is something many of us reckon with. Trust me, I know how fast the lawn springs up in early summer. And I’ll be honest; I don’t always have the time to wait for the perfect dry grass moment to mow the lawn. Figuring out whether you can mow your lawn while it’s wet is an important question. So, can you cut wet grass? Here’s the scoop: ideally, no. But life isn’t always ideal, is it?

Can You Cut Wet Grass?
Image credit: TheRepairSpecialist

What Happens When You Cut Dry Grass?

When you cut dry grass using a rotary lawn mower, the mechanics of the mower gives you a clean, even cut. The rotary blades create a powerful airflow beneath the deck. As the blade spins, it generates lift by pushing air upwards, which in turn creates a vacuum that draws more air from beneath. This continuous flow of air lifts the grass blades upright. This positions each blade of grass to meet the blade for a precise and even cut . The cut grass then gets propelled into the grass box through this well-maintained airflow. The result is a lawn that looks tidy and well-groomed.

What Happens When You Cut Wet Grass

Cutting wet grass presents various challenges, primarily due to the moisture content in the grass. Even minimal dampness can cause the grass clippings to clump together and stick to the underside of the mower. This stickiness can block the chute leading to the grass box, disrupting the airflow essential for the mower’s operation.

When the grass is wet, the blades tend to flatten rather than stand upright, which compromises the lifting effect created by the mower’s blades. As a result, the cut is often uneven, and the wet clippings can accumulate under the deck, requiring frequent stops to clean the mower.

So, Can You Cut Wet Grass? Probably Not.

Cutting wet grass isn’t just about creating a soggy mess; it’s about understanding what happens to your lawn when you do:

  1. Clumping and Uneven Cuts: Wet grass sticks together and to the blades of your mower. This can lead to clumps that suffocate parts of your lawn, and it can also cause an uneven cut.
  2. Disease Spread: Wet conditions are prime for the spread of fungal diseases. Mowing wet can spread these diseases quickly across your lawn.
  3. Mower Damage: Wet grass can clog your mower’s mechanics. The extra weight and stickiness of wet grass mean more effort for your mower, which can strain its engine and dull the blades.

can you cut wet grass
Image credit: TheRepairSpecialist




Mowing Technique on Wet Grass

Adjusting your mowing technique when you’re faced with wet grass can affect the health and appearance of your lawn. If you absolutely must mow when wet, raise the height of your mower blades. Cutting wet grass too short can stress the grass, leading to poor health and growth issues. A higher cut helps avoid scalping and reduces the stress on the grass.

A mower with sharp blades is ideal for cutting wet grass. Dull blades tend to tear the grass rather than cut it cleanly, leading to disease. If your mower supports it, use a mulching blade. These blades are designed to cut the grass into smaller pieces, which can be beneficial as these smaller pieces are less likely to clump together than larger pieces.

Immediately clean your mower after mowing to prevent rust and remove any wet grass clippings that could stick and clog the blades. Regular blade sharpening and engine checks become even more crucial when you frequently mow under less-than-ideal conditions.

Moving slowly and methodically ensures that the mower blades don’t tug at the wet grass, potentially uprooting it or tearing it unevenly. Mowing in the same direction all the time can mat down the grass and smother it, especially when it’s wet. Alternate your mowing direction to encourage the grass to stand up straight and ensure a more uniform cut. Make wide, gentle turns with the mower to prevent tearing the wet grass out of the soil. Sharp turns can pull up the grass, leading to bare spots.

Once mowing is complete, if there are any clumps of cut grass left on the lawn, rake them up gently so they don’t smother the grass underneath.

When to Wait It Out

Deciding whether to mow your lawn when it’s wet is a critical judgment call that often depends on upcoming weather conditions and the current state of your lawn. If the forecast shows several days of sun ahead, it’s wise to wait it out. This pause allows your lawn to dry thoroughly, reducing the risk of tearing or uprooting the grass, which can happen when mowing wet.

Another factor is the grass’s recovery time; mowing when it’s dry means the grass will be more resilient and bounce back quicker from the stress of cutting. If your schedule permits, always opt to mow during a dry period. This will not only ease the maintenance routine but also enhance the health and aesthetics of your lawn, keeping it lush and green.

Preferred Mower for Cutting Wet Grass

can you cut wet grass?
Image credit: Maxwells Grass Cutting Services

Stihl RM 650 V is my top pick for cutting wet grass. Its ability to cut and bag long, wet grass without clogging, a common issue with many mowers under such conditions, is a huge plus, especially for the rainy season. I’ve mowed grass up to 10 inches high that hasn’t been cut for weeks and thoroughly soaked and had no issues with clogged blades.

The Stihl RM 650 V has an efficient grass collection system. Even when the grass box is nearly full, the mower continues to perform without the messy residue that typically clings to the undercarriage of other mowers. This keeps maintenance low as there is little to no grass build-up to clean after mowing sessions, which is often not the case with other models. But it does not quite match the finish quality of a twin-blade mower that gives you that evenly cut grass. But for the price, it still has a strong drive that gives you quick mowing.

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Mike Dover
Mike Dover
How-To Lawn Tools
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