Can You Mow Wet Grass?
The earliest concept of gardening was executed by the nomads, who finally decided to settle. The sole purpose was to stay alive. Of course, they didn’t have decorative plants and didn’t care about landscaping, and what they did was actually farming, but it does not change the fact that it is the root of gardening.
The gardening we recognize today goes back to the 19th century and its rich folk. But lucky for us, in the 21st century, gardening is a hobby everyone can have. Some even choose it as a job. Flowers and trees aside, one of the most significant factors a gardener takes pride in is their lawn.
To have the shiniest and greenest lawn in the neighborhood is the guilty pleasure of every gardener. But lawn care can be tricky especially if you don’t know how and when to mow it. Many new gardeners and even some experienced ones ask: ‘can you mow wet grass?’. Be not afraid because today, I will answer all of the questions about how to mow the grass.
How to Mow Grass
Mowing grass is entirely dependent on the size and type of your lawn. Different types of grass grow at different speeds. And the size of your yard will determine the way of mowing. For example, small patches of grass can be mowed with a shear, while large ones will surely require a lawn mower.
But since this is not our topic, I will be talking about the widely preferred lawn in a spacey yard. If it is the growing season, your lawn will need weekly mowing, whereas the time goes up to 2-3 weeks between mowing in colder seasons. No matter the season, your lawn mower should be clean and sharp to give you the perfect cut.
The length, of course, is up to you, but I do not recommend such clean cuts. Just enough to let your soil breathe but not as much to discourage the grass. So, shortening it to a minimum of 0.5 inches and a maximum of 4 inches should be sufficient.
Can You Mow Wet Grass?
The grass does not require much maintenance. The care regimen is easy to follow, and when it’s done well, the lawn shows it to everyone around. There are simple steps to follow and a couple of precautions to take. So, having great grass is pretty easy unless you try and make it hard.
The debate on whether you can mow wet grass or not has been going on for a while in the gardening world. Essentially, mowing your lawn when it’s wet is not recommended as if your grass has diseases, it surfaces with the wetness -like after a rain or a watering- and the mower is likely to spread it.
Other than the well-being of your lawn, wet mowing is still not recommended. This is because the soil gets wet and soggy, and it gets harder to move. But, for a better understanding, I will list some reasons why mowing the lawn when wet is bad.
? It Can Damage Your Lawn Mower
So, it just rained, and suddenly you are filled with the desire to mow your lawn. You think, ‘what’s the worst that can happen and go fetch your mower? So, you start to mow, and as you go, you notice the sound getting louder and the mover struggling.
And the next thing you know, you no longer have a mower. The reason is that the wet grass sticks to the mower’s blades and clogs it. Without proper cleaning, this can damage your lawn mower.
? Your Lawn Mower Can Cause Bald Spots In Your Lawn
Wet grass means wet soil, and wet soil means a slippery surface. Lawnmowers cannot necessarily be considered light, and they become even heavier when the soil is wet. When you try to mow the wet grass, there is no doubt your lawn will have wheel marks. Your lawn will be pressed and even rip off its roots. The pressed parts of the lawn are prone to rotting as well. This will give your lawn an uneven and ragged look.
? You Can Slip and Hurt Yourself
Every gardener knows that wet soil is slippery soil. The fact that there is grass on top does not change it and, in fact, enhances it. So, there is a high chance of slipping while trying to mow wet grass.
Now, instead of waiting a couple of hours or a day for the grass to dry up, you chose to mow it when wet, and you ended up with a broken leg and stained clothes. As you can see, mowing wet grass keeps bringing misfortune upon gardeners.
? Uneven Mowing
The last reason I will give is that cutting wet grass can result in uneven mowing. So, when you water your lawn or when it rains, the water comes from above. This makes the lawn bend and sticks to the ground.
So, when you are mowing, you obviously will miss some grass blades. But, when everything is said and done, when the lawn and the soil are all dried up, you will be left with an unruly and uneven lawn. You may be the laughingstock of the neighborhood for a while for such sloppy mowing.
Conclusion
Gardening is hard. It takes lots of time and patience. But, after some time, all seems to fit. You seem to have a better understanding, and nature starts cooperating. After there seems to be a routine, gardening stops being hard and starts being joyful.
To get to that point, you need answers to many questions. Like the one, I tried to answer today. In this entry, I talked about lawn mowing and whether you can mow wet grass or not. I hope this was helpful and happy gardening.
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