How to Mow in the Wet Grass?

[aaronrreagle]

OK, so I mow lawns for a job. I'm only seventeen, but I have 12 and every now and then it seems like I may have to mow in the wet grass. My mower will, Clog, Shut off, and Leave Skippers. One time I mowed this guys grass while he was on vacation. The one day it was a little wet. I didn't think it looked to bad when I left, but when he came back two days later he saw dead grass and so he raked it which revealed skippers. He was ticked!! What should I do? Are there certain mowers that will NOT leave skippers when it's wet? I think it put small ruts in the yard to.

Also, sometimes my mower will leave skippers even when the grass is dry. And I make sure my blades are sharpened every few weeks.



Are there some Pro lawn people that could help me out here? I have some more questions I think too. lol

[johnbenn_2000]

When the grass is wet either wait till it dries or raise up your mower deck. Cut lawns at 3 inches. Put your mower on a flat surface and make sure you measure from the ground to the bottom of the deck for 3 inches. When you cut off more then 2/3's of a plant it will die. Each lawn has millions of grass plants. Also keep your mower blade(s) sharp. Good luck.

[rmbrruffian384]

The unfortunate thing is when you have to mow when it's wet. The best thing to do in that case, is to raise the deck at least 2 notches to keep the grass from clogging the mower. You may not be able to prevent skippers, but it may help.
If you are leaving skippers when it's dry, you may be mowing too fast and missing spots. Mowing too fast, especially if you are using a riding mower, will cause skippers.

Edit: It's all well and good to tell this young man not to mow when it's wet - that's common knowledge. However; in practicality that's pretty hard to do when you have a full book of clients that want their lawns mowed. It's not that easy to change days because of rain. Although it's not ideal, every lawn care company that mows, mows in the rain or when it's wet. Unless it's flooded.

[JAN794]

Never mow a wet lawn. Wait and do it when it is dry. When you mow it wet you also make it vulnerable to disease. Always mow with mower shoot directed away from planting beds. Never mow with the grass shoot directed at planting beds. This is if you do not bag your clippings.

[meanolmaw880]

12 lawns... that's two a day if it don't rain.... not such a load that you can't wait and mow after they're dry!!.... don't blame the guy for being ticked off... not only did you mow his grass wet, but you didn't rake off the little globs of grass afterwards!!... is that what you call SKippers?... and HE had to rake it ???... I'd have fired you on the spot!....

don't mow wet grass... it's that easy.... and if you do, then you'd better rake the yard afterwards next time.... but I bet you figgered that out already, huh?.....

oh, and all that bog, clog, die out stuff is not good for your mower, either.....