Mowing a Wet Lawn: Preventing Damage
As much as possible, do not mow a wet lawn. There are a number of reasons to avoid mowing a wet lawn, but here are a few of the main ones.
Avoid Mowing a Wet Lawn
Damp grass tends to lay flat. This means that it’s much harder for your mower to give each blade of grass a clean, even cut. The grass your mower is able to reach is more likely to be torn, rather than cut, meaning that your lawn will be at greater risk of disease. As well, the weight of you and your mower can cause the soil to compact over time. This eventually limits airflow and the ability for water to work its way through to the roots of the plants. Additionally, mowing a wet lawn puts you at greater risk of slipping and falling.
Prep your Mower when Mowing a Wet Lawn
However, are times when you need to mow your lawn, even when it’s damp. If that’s the case, it’s best to take some time for some preventative measures before you get to work.First, prepare your mower. Spray a silicone lubricant onto the underside of your mower’s deck. Make sure your mower blades are clean, sharp, and undamaged. Add a fuel stabilizer to your tank. Be sure to only fill the tank as full as you need to do the job. This prevents the extra fuel mixing with the outside moisture. Check your mower’s filters, and replace them if they’re dirty.
It’s a good idea to raise the deck on your mower to prevent the grass cuttings from clogging the undercarriage. Think of it as giving your lawn a trim, rather than a full cut. Unfortunately, that does mean you’ll have to cut a bit more often if you do choose to continue mowing a wet lawn.
Take your Time when Mowing a Wet Lawn
It’s very important to remember that the damp conditions will mean that your mower is working harder, so you have to go slower – about half the speed you would go normally. You should also do half-strips. Instead of each row being a full cut, overlap the cut portion of your lawn. This way, your mower is going on strips that are half cut, half uncut. You might want to go over your lawn in multiple directions when mowing a wet lawn to make sure you’re catching all of the blades.
Cleaning your Mower
When you’re all done, make sure to clean your mower thoroughly. Clean the damp grass from the underside of your mower’s deck, and don’t forget the washout port. Wipe the grass clippings from the body and wheels, and dry them, too. Spray any exposed cabling with lubricant, and the blade with rust-resistant oil.
Though with these preventative measure it is alright for you to mow a wet lawn, never mow your lawn when it’s raining. Not only is this incredibly dangerous to your safety, but it can also damage your mower’s engine.