Have you ever tried mowing your lawn when it’s wet then your mower shut off? I’m assuming the answer is yes. Because you wouldn’t be here looking for an answer if you haven’t. Right?
A mower shuts off in wet grass because the ground may be softer than usual, therefore causing the mower to sink. There’s also a high possibility that the wet grass gets stuck in the underside of the mower causing more resistance than usual leading to a jam in the deck of the mower. An overworked mower tends to shut off with any blockages.
So now that you’re aware of why your mower shuts off in wet grass, we hope you wouldn’t dare do it again if you don’t want to risk serious damage on your mower. But if the reasons listed above aren’t enough, then keep reading.
As mentioned above, mowing a wet lawn is not good for your mower. Moreover, it is unsafe for the person mowing as well as damaging to the lawn.
Personal Safety
It is strongly suggested that you avoid mowing a wet lawn for your personal safety. A wet lawn can be very slippery. Slippery turf plus high powered mower blades are an extremely dangerous combination, whether you’re walking behind or riding the mower.
Lawn Damage
Mowing your lawn wet it’s wet can cause significant damage to it. Tires from a lawnmower and any walking traffic can easily sink into the wet ground, leave ruts, and uproot the grass plant. And you might know that this can be expensive to fix as this may involve seeding or sodding, depending on the severity of damage.
Clumping is another result of mowing while the grass is wet. This can consume more time because of the mower bogging down or dying altogether, which can be bad for your equipment and to your lawn as well. A large amount of grass clippings lying in a clump on top of the lawn can result in the death of the plant. Yet another reason to WAIT.
However, we do understand that mowing a wet lawn can sometimes be unavoidable especially during rainy season, so we had compiled a few tips to follow if it absolutely has to be done. Please don’t take this next section as a recommendation to mow when it’s wet. This is more of a list of steps to take after you choose to bypass our advice and mow anyway. Your safety is more important that getting the grass cut today. Never forget that.
Clean the mower once done. Clean your lawn mower after you’re done by removing all of the wet grass clippings out from under the deck and off of the blades. Remember that moisture can cause rust if left for too long and can also allow mold formation that can spread the next time you mow your lawn.
Cut more often if possible. If your schedule is to mow every seven days, but it rains on the 7th day, you can try switching to a 5 days schedule. By doing this, you allow the chance for a more dry time as well as allowing a couple more days before your grass needs to be cut.
Mow at a higher setting. Doing this will give the lawn a freshly-mowed look without taking too much grass off during a wet cut as well as avoiding damage to your lawn.
Mow with sharp blades. Mowing with sharp blades is advisable, not only when your lawn is wet but even when it’s dry. As this will ensure the grass blades are cut and not torn or ripped.
Side shooter rather than mulched or bagged. Mulching or bagging grass isn’t recommended when mowing tall wet grass. It may be better to shoot the grass out of the side of the mower. Wet grass tends to clump together and can lead to a clog under the mower deck and bog dawn or ruin the lawn mower itself.
Weed-eat small areas. If you’re only dealing with a small patch of lawn, think about how long it might take to simply run your weed-eater over the area instead. If you don’t have one yet, they can be easily picked up at your local hardware store, and parts and materials are just a click away. I usually just order stuff like two-cycle oil and replacement string online at places like this to save on time.
So even though much had been said, we would still like to emphasize that waiting for the dry season is the best and safest option. If it is unavoidable to mow during the wet season, apply extreme caution to avoid accidental damage to the lawn, the mower, and most importantly, to yourself.
It is always a good idea to consult with a lawn care professional like CLA Lawncare for any questions that you may have. Contact us and we’d be more than happy to help.
