Picture this: it’s a Sunday, and your only free day of the week to tackle your lawn. It was supposed to be sunny, but New Zealand’s weather has changed things up, and suddenly rain is on the horizon.
If you’re reading this post, chances are that’s exactly the situation you’ve found yourself in. Don’t worry, we’re here to help. Today, we’re breaking down the question, “can you mow your lawn in the rain?”.
We’ll explore the pros and cons of waiting it out or jumping in despite the rain. Long story short: mowing a wet lawn isn’t ideal, but it is doable with the right approach if you absolutely have to get it done. Keen to learn more? Read on, and let’s get into it.
Why Mowing a Wet Lawn Isn’t Ideal
When asking, ‘can you mow your lawn in the rain?’, it’s important to look at the reasons that it might be difficult to do. So, let’s start there!
Wet Grass Clumps
When grass is wet, it sticks together and forms clumps rather than neatly spraying out of the mower like dry grass. These wet clumps can block your mower’s blades or deck, making the job much harder than usual. Not only that, they can suffocate your cut grass, leaving brown patches where the wet clumps land.
Wet Grass Cuts Unevenly
Wet grass also tends to bend under the weight of the mower or your feet as you walk, unlike dry grass, which springs back. This makes it tough to give your grass an even cut, and once the grass dries this can make the grass fairly patchy.
Wet Grass is Slippery
Rain will turn your grass into a slip-and-slide, as well as the ground underneath it. If you’re using an electric mower in damp conditions, you need to be extra careful, as electricity and water don’t mix.
Even a gas mower with reduced traction can lead to some unfortunate accidents, so it’s vital to be careful.
Wet Grass is Tough on Your Mower
Finally, it might be unexpected, but mowing wet grass can actually put an extra strain on your mower’s motor and blades. The sticky clippings can clog your machine, requiring more frequent cleaning and possibly leading to significant wear and tear over time.
As you can see, rain can make things a lot more complicated when it comes to mowing your lawn. The question is, despite all of these difficulties, can you mow your lawn in the rain?
When You Really Can’t Wait
Ideally, you should mow your lawn when the grass is dry. Early evening is a good time to do it when it’s cooler, and you can avoid the midday heat.
Sometimes, though, come rain or shine, you just have to get the job done. If that’s the case, you need to find ways to get around the problems we went over before to make it as safe and efficient as possible.
With that in mind, here are some tips if you have to get the lawns done on a drizzly day.
First, Check the Ground
If the soil feels soggy or waterlogged, it’s best to wait. Mowing under these conditions can tear up the roots and compact the soil, harming your lawn in the long run.
Use a Sharp Blade
A dull blade will struggle even more with wet grass, leaving jagged cuts that are more likely to die off. Make sure your mower’s blade is sharpened or that you’ve replaced dull blades before tackling a damp lawn.
Raise the Deck
If you’re worried about the grass clumping, raise your mower’s deck to prevent clogs from gumming up the blades. While your grass will be a bit longer once all is said and done, this can help to make the process a lot smoother.
Go Slow
Remember, wet grass is harder to mow, so take your time. Slow is smooth, and smooth is better. Going slow helps you to maintain control and ensures a much cleaner cut.
Clean Your Blade Straight Away
Once you’re done, turn off your mower and clean out any wet clippings from the blades, deck, and discharge chute. Leaving wet grass inside can lead to rust and damage, which we absolutely don’t want.
So, can you mow your lawn in the rain? Theoretically, yes! While it’s not the ideal situation, if you’re careful to care for your blades, go slow, and cut a little higher, things will go smoother.
Keeping safety and the health of your lawn in mind is key. If it’s just a drizzle and your ground is fairly firm, you might manage. But in heavily rainy conditions with soggy ground, it’s much better to wait. That way, you’ll stay safe, and your lawn will look much better for it.
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