If you're asking 'can I cut wet grass?' the chances are that your lawn is in desperate need of a trim, but we just can't seem to get a long enough spell of dry weather to safely get the job done.
Mowing your lawn when it's not sufficiently dry can really damage your grass as well as clog up your lawn mower. There's also the question of safety, depending on if you're using a petrol lawn mower or an electric model.
To add even more uncertainty we all know there are varying degrees of 'wet' when it comes to lawns, so just how dry does it need to be? The good news is there's no need for guesswork as we've gone to the experts who can tell us just that.
Can I cut wet grass?
The best time to to mow a lawn after a period of wet weather very much depends on how damp it is, says David Hedges Gower, Chairman of the Lawn Association. If the ground is soaking after heavy rain the answer is a definite no because it can be damaging for your lawn ideas and your mower and leave it looking worse than before you started.
Mowing wet grass can cause your lawn mower to become clogged(Image credit: Yon Marsh / Alamy Stock Photo)
David Hedges-Gower
David is one of the UK's leading lawn experts, with over 30 years experience in the industry. He is Chairman of the Lawn Association, an educational platform for homeowners and professionals, and founded the world's first lawn care qualification.
How to tell if your lawn is too wet to mow
“You'll notice the grass is too wet if it feels excessively soft or spongy underfoot, or if there are visible puddles or waterlogged soil. Struggling mower blades and clogging are also indicators," says Peter Chaloner, Managing Director of Cobra.
Guy Jenkins at Johnsons Lawn Seed explains that grass blades need to stand upright in order to be ready to mow, as the weight of the water can flatten them, which means uneven mowing and can leave your lawn vulnerable to pests and diseases.
The Grass People’s Chris McIlroy says if it is just damp or dewy it is probably okay to cut your grass, although he adds: "It is best to give your grass time to dry off during the day and then cut it later in the afternoon".
Chris McIlroy
Chris is the technical product lead and in-house lawn seed expert for The Grass People. His advice is focused on sowing, mowing, and maintaining a perfect lawn, and how to overcome any lawn issues homeowners face.
This mains powered electric lawnmower has multiple blade height settings and a 40ltr capacity for collecting clippings which can later be used as mulch. This site also offers free delivery and a 90 day money back guarantee
Users of this lawnmower remarked on its ease of use and efficiency. The handle and collection bag can be collapsed for storage.
Waterlogged lawns can cause lawnmowers to overheat(Image credit: Yon Marsh / Alamy Stock Photo)
The risks of cutting wet grass
You may be worried about damaging your mower but in truth, lots of lawnmowers are robust enough to cope with a dewy lawn in your garden design just fine. Guy Jenkins advises gardeners to bear in mind waterlogged grass is more difficult to cut, which can strain lawnmowers and cause them to overheat, while wet grass is more prone to clumping and clogging up the mower.
Another reason you want to avoid mowing after a rainy spell is to reduce the threat of soil compaction. David Truby, the MD of Greensleeves, says: "Soil compaction reduces your lawn’s ability to absorb moisture, which leads to water pooling around the topsoil – seriously damaging the lawn."
Guy Jenkins
Guy is the Consumer Manager for Johnsons Lawn Seed, the UK’s oldest provider of lawn seed, and is an expert in the field of lawn seed and lawn care.
A dry lawn will be easier to mow(Image credit: sturti / Getty Images)
Cutting wet grass with an electric lawnmower
"Before mowing with an electric mower, assess the lawn's moisture level. If the grass is slightly damp from dew or light rain, you can still mow, ensuring electric cords and plug sockets remain dry. If excessively wet, it's best to wait for it to dry for a clean and safe mow,” says Peter Chaloner.
“Mixing electricity and water of course poses huge risks so we strongly advise waiting for the grass to have dried before mowing with an electric mower – it’s safer for you and for the lawn! Not only that but mowing wet grass can damage a lawnmower – no matter the power source - as it is more likely to clump and jam the cutting blades, which could cause things to overheat,” says Peter.
Peter Chaloner
Peter Chaloner is the Managing Director of Cobra, one of the UK's leading brands of garden machinery. He is a passionate enthusiast when it comes to lawn care and seasonal gardening tasks. He takes great pride in maintaining his own lawn and garden to perfection and is knowledgeable about various techniques and tools that can be used to achieve the best results.
FAQs
How do I keep my wet grass from sticking to my lawn mower?
Even with the best cordless lawn mowers, it is highly recommended that you clean your lawn mower after each mowing session, in order to prevent the undercarriage from becoming clogged with grass cuttings and other debris.
This can lead to decreased performance as well as the potential spread of lawn diseases. We advise using a wire brush or a damp cloth to remove any debris that has attached itself to the mower's deck
If grass is quickly building up in the deck of your mower, and this is a frequent problem, then you are probably mowing when it is too wet and you need to wait for your lawn to dry more before mowing.
You can also spray the deck with a silicone lubricant, such as AGEALUBE Protect Wax Spray at Amazon. Products like these claim to help prevent grass from building up on the underside as the grass does not adhere readily to the wax.
How wet is too wet to mow?
A rule of thumb is to walk across the grass and if your shoes are wet, it is best to wait. And if the ground and soil are saturated with moisture, again it is best to wait.
But don't immediately write it off though. Chairman of the Lawn Association David Hedges Gower says: "Mowing is similar to shaving your face or legs because the wetness isn’t a problem if the blades are sharp. Therefore, as long as you mow with a sharp blade – sharpened every 1-2 weeks – then some dew won’t be a problem as long as the grass blades are too weighed down with it."
A related issue that can affect your lawn is moss and we have a handy guide on how to get rid of moss in lawns if this is relevant to your garden.
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Teresa was part of a team that launched Easy Gardens in 2018 and worked as the Editor on this magazine. She has extensive experience writing and editing content on gardens and landscaping on brands such as Homes & Gardens, Country Homes & Interiors and Living Etc magazine. She has developed close working relationships with top landscape architects and leading industry experts, and has been exposed to an array of rich content and expertise.
In 2020 Teresa bought her first home. She and her partner worked alongside architects and builders to transform the downstairs area of her two bedroom Victorian house in north London into a usable space for her family. Along the way she learned the stresses, woes and joys of home renovation, and is now looking to her next project, landscaping the back garden.
