Should You Mow Right Before it Rains? (Solved!)

Yes. It’s best to mow grass when it’s dry, even if you’ll have to mow it again after it rains.  Most peoples’ lawns look best when the grass is two inches tall. That means if it’s three inches tall and you know rain is coming, you should mow before it rains.

In the rest of this article, we’ll answer some other related questions. Some of them include:

• Can you cut grass in the rain?
• Can you mow wet grass?
• How long you should wait to mow the grass after it rains?
• Why is it hard to mow wet grass?
• Will mowing wet grass will ruin your lawnmower
• Does grass grow faster after it rains?
• What’s the best time of day to mow the lawn?
• How tall should your grass be?
• What should you do if it gets too tall?

Can you cut grass in the rain?

According to American Lawns, you can cut grass in the rain. Commercial lawn mowers do it all the time – after all, they have a schedule to stick to. If you have to, they suggest raising your mower’s cutting height and slowing the speed. Slowing your mowing speed allows the deck to clear the clippings. It’s important that you don’t re-mow over clumps of grass. When it’s wet out, grass can easily clog your mower and turn to mush.

Can you mow wet grass?

The best rule of thumb is never to mow grass when it’s wet. Mowing wet grass can lead to uneven cutting, so the lawn won’t look nice and smooth, because the grass will end up at slightly different heights when it dries.

How long should I wait to mow the grass after it rains?

You should wait until the grass is completely dry before you cut it after it rains. If that means you have to wait a day, then do it – it will be easier to mow your lawn at that time.

Why is it hard to mow wet grass?

When grass is wet it has a lot of moisture in it, which makes it more difficult to get an even cut, unless you follow the suggestions above. In addition, mowing wet grass can be dangerous – you could slip on the wet grass and hurt yourself.

Will mowing wet grass ruin a lawnmower?

Mowing wet grass won’t ruin a lawnmower. However, the mower won’t cut as well, and it’s unsafe to use an electric mower on wet grass. If you do have to mow wet grass, use a gas-powered push or self-propelled mower to cut it.

Does grass grow faster after it rains?

Yes. After it rains, plants can soak up more water from the soil. The freshly fallen rain benefits the grass because the extra water allows the roots to absorb nitrogen.

If the grass gets enough rain, it can easily grow three to six inches in a week.

When is the best time to mow the lawn? 

According to Lawn Love, the best time to mow your lawn is in the mid-afternoon. If you have to cut it in the morning, cut it between 8:00 and 10:00. That way you won’t get heat exhaustion or sunburn from cutting it later in the morning or in the early afternoon.

Most people’s grass looks best when it’s two inches tall. When your grass is longer, you’ll get more grass plants, the grass will be more upright, be more shade-tolerant, have deeper roots, and be more drought tolerant. Shorter grass tends to have shorter roots. That means the lawn will dry out faster and have more weeds. It also can’t spring back from drought situations as easily. 

What should I do if my grass gets too tall after it rains?

Wait for it to dry, and then cut it down in stages. Measure the height and then only cut down the first third to start. Repeat this until the grass is as tall as you want it to be. Otherwise, you could damage it.

What else should I know about mowing wet grass?

If you must mow your grass when it’s wet, use these tips:

• You can mow by putting the side discharge in place and setting the mower on the highest setting instead of using bags or mulch. Professionals do this because they can mow in all directions at high speeds, they can do a good quality cut, and they can mow continuously.

Your lawn will have rows of clippings, but you can mow those up in a few days. 

• Keep an eye on your fuel – Take the gas cap off and check to see how much gas is left in the tank. If you need more fuel, add it before you start mowing. The fuel should be clean and fresh – old fuel can start deteriorating in as little as 30 days, so you dont want to keep old fuel in the tank.
• Don’t put too much fuel in the mower. Only buy enough fuel to last two or three weeks. Ethanol in gasoline likes moisture, which can affect mowing. Prevent fuel contamination by using a stabilizer when you’re filling the mower, and only purchase more when fuel gets real low.
• Make sure the mower is clean after mowing – Wipe down the top surface of the deck and clean it underneath to make sure your lawnmower cuts evenly and allows the grass to stand upright as its trimmed.
• Grass clippings can cling to a soggy layer, which can become moldy. If your mower has a washout port, use it to clean your mower deck.
• Use a putty knife to clean it and use a wire brush to clean the mower’s tires. Regularly cleaning your mower will help it continue to work properly and will give you a great cut every time.
• When it rains a lot, your grass grows quickly. Mow the lawn more often to keep it looking neat. Tall, wet grass is difficult to mow.