mowing wet grass

Mowing Wet Grass

It’s been raining for days on end, and your lawn is starting to look like a jungle. You know you need to mow it, but you don’t want to ruin your mower by trying to cut wet grass.

Effects of mowing wet grass

Mowing wet grass can cause two main problems: Clogged mower blades and brown patches. Clogged blades can be caused by the moisture in the grass making the blades sticky, which will then cause them to stick together and form clumps. This will make it difficult for the mower to cut the grass and damage the blades. Brown patches are usually caused by the wet grass drying out too quickly after being cut, which will leave behind a dead or burnt-looking patch on your lawn.

How to mowing wet grass without damaging your lawn?

The best way to mow wet grass is to go slowly and make several shorter passes instead of one long one. It would help if you also tried to avoid going over the same spot more than once, as this could damage the grass. If your lawn is wet and you’re worried about damaging it, you can try using a push mower instead of a riding mower. A push mower will require more effort on your part, but it’s less likely to cause damage to the lawn.

What kinds of mowers are appropriate for mowing wet grass?

There are sporadic instances where using a mechanical mower is not recommended, like wet soil or lawns with heavy thatch buildup. There are other options to use like reel mowers, dethatchers, and walk-behind string trimmers.

1.    Mechanical Mowers

The first category of mowers is the most common type used over the years by gardeners. The types of mowers include rotary, reel, mulching, and side discharge. All these types of mowers will work well on dry grass surfaces, but some will require special attention when working on wet areas, especially rotary designs, which can throw moist clippings back onto your legs.

Walk-behind rotary designs should be avoided if possible because they can cause more damage to the turf when used on wet ground. If you have to use one on wet soil, take it slow and easy.

2.    Reel Mowers

There are two types of reel mowers-push reel and power reel. Push reel mowers require more physical exertion from the user than power reel mowers which use a small engine to help in the propulsion of the blades. Reel mowers work best on areas with short grass and work very poorly when used on tall wet grass-the wheels will sink into the ground and make it difficult to move the machine.

3.    Dethatchers

A dethatcher is a specialized piece of equipment that looks like a lawnmower but has horizontal rotating blades instead of sharp blades that cut the grass. This machine is used to remove thatch from the lawn and can be adapted to work on lawns with wet areas. Dethatches will not damage any areas of your yard if they are correctly adjusted for use on wet turf.

4.    Walk-behind String Trimmers

A string trimmer uses a thin plastic cord or nylon line instead of sharp blades to trim grass and weeds around trees, flower beds, and other objects in the landscape. String trimmers have a rotating head that is held just above the surface while being pushed along by one person.

A string trimmer has some advantages over mowers in terms of working on wet ground, but there are also some limitations you need to consider before purchasing this type of equipment.

Top tips for mowing wet grass

  • If the ground is wet, use a metal rake to clear away any debris or clumps of dirt before you start mowing. This will help keep your mower blades clean and sharp.
  • Start in one corner of your lawn and work your way around, cutting the taller blades of grass first. This will help prevent the smaller blades from chopping up by the mower.
  • Use a lower setting on your mower than you would typically use. This will help reduce the amount of moisture pulled up from the ground and help keep the blades of grass from becoming too short.
  • If the ground is wet, you may want to consider using a lawn dethatcher to remove any excess moisture before you start mowing.
  • Be careful not to overload your mower with too much-wet grass. You may have to make several passes over the same area to get it all cut.

Following these tips should help you avoid any problems when mowing wet grass. Just be patient and take your time, and you’ll have a nice, neat lawn in no time at all.

Conclusion

Mowing wet grass can be tricky, but if you go slowly and take care not to damage your lawn, you should be able to get the job done without any problems. Just keep an eye out for clogged blades and brown patches, and take steps to avoid them if possible.

FAQs

Read more: Lawn Mower: Its Types and How to Start a Lawn Mower? A Complete Guide

Why is it important to avoid mowing wet grass?

Mowing wet grass can cause damage to your lawn by pulling up chunks of soil along with the grass blades. It can also lead to clogged blades and brown patches.

Is it possible to use a standard lawnmower to cut wet grass?

Most standard lawnmowers will work on wet grass, but you may need to adjust the height setting or take extra care not to overload the machine.

What is the best way to deal with areas of wet grass?

If possible, try to avoid mowing these areas entirely. If that’s not possible, then use a dethatcher or walk-behind string trimmer to remove the excess moisture before you start mowing.

What is the best way to deal with tall wet grass?

If possible, try to avoid mowing these areas entirely. If that’s not possible, use a lower setting on your mower and take extra care not to overload the machine. Be careful not to chop up the smaller blades of grass by using a higher setting.

Can we use a reel mower on wet grass?

Reel mowers work best on short, dry grass and do not work well on tall, wet grass. The wheels will sink into the ground and make it difficult to move the machine.

Apart from this if you are interested to know more about Advantages of Artificial Grass then visit our Gardening category.