Can You Mow in the Rain?

November 7, 2020

To a lot of people mowing the lawn can be considered a chore that they don’t particularly want to spend their free time doing.

So, you put it off for days and weeks until the grass is so overgrown that you’re struggling to see any resemblance of a path. 

‘Right, that’s it!’ - you think, until a clap of thunder is heard and the clouds unveil the never-ending rain that is sure to last for the next month.

So, you’ve missed the opportunity to get out there in the glorious sunshine and mow the lawn. 

Can You Mow in the Rain
lawn mower maintaining lawn yard

But can you still mow in the rain?

Otherwise, you’ll be stuck with an overgrown lawn for the rest of the winter and an incredibly challenging task for next spring. 

Today we’ll be looking into whether you can mow in the rain (spoiler alert - the answer is a resounding no) and why. 

You Should Not Mow Wet Grass

The hopeful thought of mowing your wet lawn was short-lived, wasn’t it?

Unfortunately, many people have come together to say that you should absolutely not mow in the rain.

It’s not just for one reason, either. There is a whole list of reasons why you shouldn’t mow the grass while it’s wet. 

So, put your wellies away and take your rain mac off - you’re going to have to sit this one out.

In the meantime, let’s go over some of the reasons why people are so adamant that you should not mow your lawn while it’s raining. 

Safety First!

Mowing the lawn on wet grass can be dangerous for you as you have a higher chance of slipping and falling.

Normally if you were to slip in the rain you would simply get back up, brush yourself off, and have a good chuckle about it later. 

However, if you’re slipping over while operating a heavy and dangerous piece of machinery, all laughter goes out of the window.

Around 69 people are killed every year in the USA due to lawnmower accidents, so it is imperative that you put your safety first and wait for the grass to dry. 

Say Goodbye to a Clean Cut

Raindrops weigh blades of grass down and therefore you won’t get a clean cut if you’re mowing grass in the rain.

As soon as the rain stops and the grass dries you’ll be left with an uneven lawn that will need to be mowed all over again.

To avoid all of your hard work being rendered useless, make sure that you only mow the lawn when it’s dry. 

Moreover, wet grass has a tendency to clump together.

If your mower’s blade catches a clump it might not trim it but drag it out of the earth altogether. This could leave you with dead spots on your lawn. 

Damaged Foundations

Spongy soil might be prone to sinking as heavy machinery passes over it.

If you mow a wet lawn you could create an uneven surface for the grass, ensuring that there are plenty of ruts for water to pool and remain on the grass.

Wet patches are breeding grounds for bacterial and fungal infections. 

Obviously, this is something that you’ll want to avoid, so mowing the lawn in the rain is not a good idea.

It also has the potential to permanently damage your foundation and grass, meaning that you’ll need to have new grass installed in the springtime.

To avoid this unnecessary expense, wait for the rain to completely stop. 

Waterlogged Mowers

Finally, we all know that water and electricals don’t mix.

If you have an electrical mower you should never use it in the rain, no matter how water resistant it claims to be.

Alternatively, if you have a manual mower you should still not use it in the rain, but you won’t have the threat of electrocution burdening you. 

Water makes the grass heavier and therefore puts more strain on the mower’s blades.

This could cause the mower to stall or put too much pressure on the battery so that it gives up altogether.

Moreover, water rusts metal which is likely what your mower’s blades are made of. 

If you don’t want to have to replace or repair your mower anytime soon, it’s a good idea to keep it away from water as much as possible. 

How To Cut Wet Grass … Even Though We Told You Not To

If it is a matter of life and death and you absolutely can not wait three days for the grass to dry out, there are a few ways in which you can make cutting wet grass safer for both you and the mower.

First of all, you’re going to need to remove as much water from the grass as possible. 

Lay a hose across the lawn and drag it horizontally so that the water is pushed away from the grass you want to mow.

Start mowing the grass slowly so as to not put too much strain on the blades and raise the mowing height to avoid additional pressure. 

Empty the clippings more regularly than when you mow during sunny weather, but make sure that the mower is turned off before doing so.

Wet grass is more likely to clog up the mower so you don’t forget to empty it as you mow. 

Once you’re happy with the mowed lawn, clean the mower thoroughly and dry it off. This will prevent rust or corrosion from happening until you need to use it again. 

Summary

You can go back to staring at the gloomy sky out the window now, praying for the rain to let up for long enough to mow at least a patch of grass!

Or, alternatively, you can disregard the risks and mow in the rain anyway - it’s your choice, after all! 

Just remember that there are several things to go wrong when it comes to mowing wet grass, so it’s best to wait and let the grass dry first.

However, if you can’t wait and need to get mowing, please regard our safety tips and be careful. 

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