Mowing a lawn is essentially very simple: turn on your mower, push it over the lawn, and continue until you’ve trimmed the entire yard. However, if you want to mow your lawn properly, ensuring that the grass remains healthy and beautiful, you will need to learn a few lawn mowing techniques. Some are basic and obvious, while others require concentration and commitment. Although you shouldn’t feel obligated to use all these tips and techniques in your everyday mowing, embrace them if you want to own the most sought-after lawn in the neighborhood!
Lawn Mowing Techniques
Use the Rule of One-Third.
Experts recommend that you never remove more than one-third of a grass blade at one time. The grass must be long enough to recover after mowing and maintain its healthy root system. When grass is cut too short, it becomes stressed, thin, and weak, and if it is attacked by pests, disease, drought, or extreme temperatures, it will struggle to remain healthy. So what’s the ideal height for grass? That will depend on the type of grass since cool-season grasses are allowed to grow taller than warm-season grasses. Research your grass type and stick with the one-third rule for mowing.
Related Post: The Best Cool-Season Grasses
Vary Your Mowing Pattern.
Although it may be tempting to form a routine, try to vary the direction in which you mow your lawn. Continually mowing in the same pattern can compact the soil and influence the direction that the grass leans and grows. If you mow in different directions, the grass will grow upright and the soil won’t develop ruts. In addition, overlap your lines when you mow by about 3 inches to ensure that you don’t miss a spot. Most mowers choose to use a striped pattern or a spiral.
Try Striping Your Lawn.
Have you ever wondered how the caretakers of athletic fields are able to achieve such vibrant, distinctive stripes? In fact, the grass blades have been bent in different directions through mowing, and the stripes are caused by light reflecting off the leaning blades of grass. Believe it or not, you can achieve this lawn pattern at home with a little practice. Allow the grass to grow slightly longer than usual and then cut it in an opposing stripe pattern. To intensify the colors of the stripes, bend the grass even further using a lawn roller.
Finally, remember to keep your mower’s blades sharp, avoid mowing when the grass is wet, and leave your clippings to fertilize the lawn.
Related Post: How Often Should I Mow My Lawn?
Nixa Lawn Service Can Help
A lush, green, weedless, and well-trimmed lawn requires work. Are you up for the challenge? Feel free to employ as few or as many of these lawn mowing techniques as you like. Or, consider hiring a pro to maintain your lawn for you! If you live in southwest Missouri, contact Nixa Lawn Service for all of your lawn care needs. We are available to mow your lawn weekly with the finest and most up-to-date lawn equipment available. To schedule a lawn care service, give us a call at 417-724-0318 or contact us online. We look forward to hearing from you!
