Never mow wet grass

Wait for the grass and soil surface to dry before mowing. If morning dew is heavy, mow in the late morning or early afternoon instead.

Why It Works

Wet grass bends rather than standing upright, resulting in an uneven cut. Wet clippings clump together and smother the turf underneath. Mowing wet soil also compacts it and can leave ruts. Additionally, wet conditions spread fungal spores from diseased areas to healthy ones via the mower blade.

Tips

• If you must mow slightly damp grass, clean the mower deck frequently during the job to prevent caking.
• Mowing wet warm-season grasses is especially problematic because their low height means the mower is closer to saturated soil.