How to Cut Wet Grass Without Destroying Your Lawn

LOUISIANA - Right now Acadiana and Louisiana is dealing with quite a bit of rain, and it doesn't look like it's going to let up anytime soon. To get ahead of the days of rain, many people cut their lawns extra short, but it doesn't look like that's going to hold off our grass from getting a bit unruly before the rain finally stops.

At some point you're probably really going to want to cut your grass before it gets too far out of hand, but can you cut wet grass without turning your yard into a complete disaster?

The truth is, mowing wet grass usually isn’t ideal. But sometimes you don’t really have a choice. Between work, rain in the forecast, and grass getting taller by the minute, you might be looking for ways on how to mow a wet lawn.

After dealing with clogged mower decks, giant clumps of grass, and some pretty ugly cuts over the years, I finally learned a few tricks that actually help.

Why Mowing Wet Grass Can Be A Problem

The biggest thing I noticed the first time I cut wet grass was how uneven everything looked afterward. Wet grass blades bend over instead of standing straight, so the mower doesn’t cut evenly. Experts say wet lawns are also more likely to develop fungus and lawn disease because damp clippings stick together and trap moisture.

I also learned the hard way that wet grass can clog a mower incredibly fast. The underside of the deck turns into a giant mess of sticky grass, and suddenly the mower starts struggling.

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And honestly, it can get slippery. If you’ve ever pushed a mower across wet grass on even a slight hill, you know exactly what I mean.

Then, there's the ruts you can put into your lawn cutting wet grass.

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When To Do When You Absolutely Have To Mow Wet Grass

Sometimes waiting simply isn’t an option. If more rain is coming or the yard is already getting too tall, I’ve found there are a few things that make mowing wet grass much easier.

Before we get into it, just be sure to keep reasonable expectations. If your yard has big, muddy pools of water, there's no way you can cut your grass without putting ruts in your lawn. But, if you've got good grading and water runs off well, you might be able to pull this off!

Raise The Mower Deck

One of the best things I started doing was raising the mower height. Trying to scalp wet grass is a disaster. Keeping the deck higher reduces stress on both the grass and the mower. Lawn experts recommend cutting less aggressively when the lawn is damp.

Also, do yourself a favor before you start mowing and spray a little WD-40 under your lawnmower deck. It will help the wet, sticky grass from clumping up and choking out your mower.

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Sharpen The Blade First

While this might not be an option you're comfortable with, if you can do it, it will make a huge difference. Sharp mower blades cut through wet grass much cleaner. Dull blades tend to rip and shred the grass instead of slicing it cleanly.

Cut Your Grass Slower Than Normal

Wet grass is heavier, thicker, and harder for the mower to handle. If you rush it, the mower bogs down and starts leaving giant clumps behind.

Mow slower and make narrower passes across the yard.

Avoid Mulching Wet Grass

Mulching works great on dry grass. Wet grass? Not so much.

I’ve learned it’s usually better to use side discharge or bag the clippings if the lawn is really wet. Otherwise, those heavy clumps can smother healthy grass underneath.

What Other Homeowners Say About Mowing Wet Grass

I checked online forums and Reddit discussions, and honestly, most people seem to agree on the same thing...you can mow wet grass, but nobody really enjoys it.

A lot of homeowners mentioned dealing with mower clogs, uneven cuts, and cleanup headaches afterward. Others said they only mow wet lawns when weather leaves them no other choice.

So, if over the next week you find you absolutely have to get your grass cut, hopefully these tips will help you pull it off!