Having a well-maintained lawn boosts your home appeal. Besides that, it also helps create a welcoming environment if you enjoy outdoor activities. You can achieve this by mowing regularly, but it’s not just about cutting the grass short.
Proper mowing techniques can significantly influence the health and appearance of your lawn. Doing it the right way ensures that your grass grows evenly and stays free from diseases while looking lush and green.
So, how do you achieve that perfect lawn through mowing? We’ll go over five expert tips in this guide. Check them out below:
Table of Contents
Tip 1: Choose the Right Mowing Height
One common mistake when it comes to mowing is cutting the grass too short. You should know that different grass types have specific height preferences. When you maintain the grass at the required height, you get a thriving lawn.
For instance, Bermuda grass likes to be kept short, around 1 to 1.5 inches. Tall fescue, on the other hand, appear best at 2 to 3 inches. You don’t have to become an expert in agriculture, but it helps you become familiar with your grass type and its ideal height.
You may want to ask, why is the correct mowing height so important? Well, mowing too short, known as scalping, can expose the soil. That’s why some people have brown and patchy lawns. Scalping weakens grass roots and makes them more easily infected by weeds and diseases.
Furthermore, if you cut your grass too short, it’ll struggle to absorb sunlight. Consequently, that hinders its growth and health. So, next time you mow, adjust your mower’s height to match your grass type.
You can make adjusting the height a lot easier with linear actuators. These devices help with precise and accurate motion, ensuring the mower stays at just the right position all through the cut.
Tip 2: Keep Your Mower Blades Sharp
As you probably know already, a sharp mower blade ensures your grass gets a clean cut. When your blades are at their best, they slice through the grass easily. This also ensures the grass heals faster and remains vibrant.
If you use dull blades, however, you get the exact opposite of the above. Rather than a clean cut, the blades rip through the grass. The result, then, are uneven edges and a messy looking lawn. Additionally, your grass becomes exposed to potential diseases and pests.
How can you tell if your blades need sharpening? It’s simple. Check if the grass looks rough or frayed after mowing. That’s a clear indication. You can also touch the blade and feel that it’s dull. If there are nicks around it, it also means you need to sharpen.
You can either sharpen your mower blades yourself with a sharpener or take it to an expert. When you do so regularly, you’ll recognize a big difference in how your lawn looks and feels. Simply put, a clean cut promotes a healthy and attractive lawn, so your blades should always be in top shape.
Tip 3: Mow When the Grass is Dry
It’s tempting to mow the lawn just after a rain or early in the morning. The dew over grass makes the job appear easier, but most often than not, it’s not a good idea. That’s because wet grass presents several challenges.
First, it clumps, which makes it hard for the mower to achieve an even cut. These clumps can also stick under the mower, and overtime, lead to rust or other damage.
Additionally, wet grass is slippery. That not only makes the mowing process more difficult but it’s also a safety risk. If you have a sloping lawn, for example, the mower could slip and injure you.
Thankfully, checking if the grass is dry enough to mow is relatively simple. You can tell by looking at the grass or considering the weather. Want something more practical? Try the shoe test, where you walk across the lawn. If your shoes remain dry afterward, it means it’s safe to mow.
Tip 4: Change Mowing Patterns
Repeating the same mowing style is convenient and straightforward, but it can lead to some lawn issues. If you regularly mow in the same direction, it can result in soil compaction and wear down the grass. Over time, this can lead to thin or bare patches in areas where the mower frequently works on.
As a result, adjusting your mowing pattern is a smart strategy. You should employ it if you want to do things right. Not only does it lessen the chances of soil compaction, but it also ensures upright and robust growth. Simply put, when you cut grass from different angles each time, it’s less likely to lean in one fixed direction.
For the best results, consider alternating between horizontal, vertical, and diagonal mowing patterns. If your lawn has a specific shape, try to work multiple routes that cover the entire area without overlapping much. Another tip is to start from different corners of your yard in each session.
Tip 5: Leave Grass Clippings
Many people believe bagging and discarding grass clippings after mowing is always best. However, leaving the waste behind can still be beneficial. This practice, known as grasscycling, involves letting the clippings decompose naturally on the lawn. As they break down, they provide essential nutrients to the soil, like nitrogen, which can reduce the need for fertilizer.
The benefits of grasscycling are substantial. It naturally feeds the lawn, helping it retain moisture, and reducing waste. Additionally, it saves time, which you’ll most appreciate. You don’t have to constantly empty the mower bag.
However, sometimes, bagging might be a better choice. An example is if your lawn has a fungal disease or the grasses are too long such that the clippings are thick.
To get the best results from grasscycling, follow the already discussed tips. That is, mow when the grass is dry and use a sharp blade. That’ll ensure the clippings are small enough to decompose quickly.
Conclusion
Proper lawn mowing is essential for a lush and healthy outdoor space. No doubt, employing the right tips can make a big difference, and you can count on those explained in this article. By following the recommendations, everyone will be commending the attractiveness of your lawn in no time.
