With the unusually high amount of rainfall in the Dallas/Fort Worth are the last 2 years, there’s a good chance you haven’t been able to mow your lawn for a while. The ground is too soggy, or it’s been raining during all your free time and the grass has gotten out of control. The good news for homeowners is that it’s possible to mow the lawn when it is wet, if necessary, or to get the lawn back under control after is had become overgrown.
Too Much Water
Too much water on the lawn, whether from overwatering or too much rain, can stunt root growth and contribute to thatch accumulation on the lawn. Waterlogged soil deprives plants of oxygen, and can contribute to disease development in the lawn. It can also cause the thatch to rot, and fungus to grow in the turf layer.
If overwatering is caused by irrigation, you can gradually decrease the amount of water applied so you are watering ¾ to 1 inch every week. If the problem is increased rainfall, there is little you can do until the rain stops.
Mowing Wet Grass
As a general rule, it is not a good idea to mow when grass is wet. In terms of lawn health, wet grass is a prime area for a disease to develop. Mowing stresses the grass, and if the lawn is vulnerable to disease from waterlogged soil or there were signs of turf disease present prior to mowing it will be particularly vulnerable. The other problem with mowing wet grass is that the grass will clump up and clog the mower blades. When this happens, the mower will need to be turned off and cleaned out before mowing can resume, which will increase the time needed to mow the lawn.
If you decide the lawn absolutely must be mowed while wet, there are a few tips that can minimize stress to the grass. Set the mower at a higher cutting level than usual. This will reduce clogging and the amount of wet clippings on the lawn, but still trim the grass. It is also a good idea to mow slowly and reduce the amount of grass coming through the lawn mower at once.
Mowing Overgrown Grass
When mowing a lawn that has become overgrown, it is important not to cut too much grass off at once. If the lawn is too tall for the mower, cut half the height down with a weed trimmer. Wait about a week for the grass to recover, then start mowing a third of the grass height off at a time. You can mow every 3-5 days, taking off no more than a third of the grass at once, until it is back to the desired height.
Maintaining your lawn after too much rainfall often involves mowing overgrown grass. It may seem tedious to have to make several passes to get the job done right, but your lawn will thank you when you’re done.
Bonus: Make sure to mow overgrown and wet grass with a sharp blade. A dull blade will not cut the grass properly and will perform even worse when the clumps of remain stuck to the blade.
