Mastering Lawn Mowing in the Pacific Northwest: Tips for a Lush, Healthy Yard.

By Cody Cochran | Jan 2026

Hey there, fellow PNW residents! Living in the Pacific Northwest means gorgeous green landscapes, but it also comes with plenty of rain, mild weather, and grass that grows like crazy in spring. Our cool-season grasses—think perennial ryegrass, fine fescues, and Kentucky bluegrass—love it here, but they need the right care to stay thick and healthy against moss, weeds, and compaction. Proper mowing is one of the biggest things you can do to keep your lawn thriving. Here's a straightforward guide packed with pro tips tailored to our region

The Golden Rule: Try not to Cut More Than One-Third

Always remove no more than one-third of the grass blade at a time. This is way more important than waiting for perfect dry conditions—especially here, where rain is constant. Why? Cutting too much stresses the plant, weakens roots, reduces photosynthesis, and opens the door to weeds, diseases, and thinning. It can even cause scalping, exposing soil and crowns. Sticking to this rule builds deeper roots, denser turf, and better resilience in our wet climate.

Aim for a mowing height of 2-3 inches most of the year. Mow frequently enough (often 1-2 times a week in peak season) so you're never tempted to chop off too much.

Mowing in the Rain? It's Often Unavoidable Here

Not ideal, but in the PNW, sometimes you just have to mow in light rain or on damp grass. Prioritize the 1/3 rule over dryness—overgrown lawns are worse for health than a slightly wet cut. That said, heavy rain can lead to clumping, uneven results, soil ruts, and disease spread. Pro tips: Raise your deck slightly, go slow, and clean the mower after to avoid issues.

Bag in Spring, Mulch the Rest of the Time

During those explosive spring growth spurts, bag clippings are used to prevent smothering. Otherwise, mulch them back in (also called grasscycling). This returns valuable nutrients, builds organic matter in your soil, improves structure, and can cut fertilizer needs significantly. Fine clippings decompose fast and feed your lawn naturally.

Change Directions Every Mow—Don't Skip This

Even when it's inconvenient, switch up your pattern: stripes one way, then perpendicular or diagonal next time. Mowing the same direction repeatedly creates ruts, compacts soil (a big problem in our clay-heavy yards), and causes grass to lean, leading to uneven growth and those annoying "runts" or thin patches. Varying directions keep everything upright, even, and healthy

Contact us today if you have questions or want a free estimate.