Achieving a pristine lawn can be straightforward if you adhere to a few essential grass-cutting strategies. Here’s a guide to making your lawn the envy of the neighbourhood, saving you time and effort in the process.
Grass Length and Frequency
The golden rule of lawn mowing is to never remove more than one-third of the grass length in a single mowing session. This prevents stress on the grass and promotes healthier growth. Moreover, frequent mowing leads to a denser lawn, as it encourages grass to grow more side shoots.
Overlap for Uniformity
To ensure a uniform cut, each pass with the lawnmower should slightly overlap the previous one. Marking both sides of your mower can serve as a handy guide for maintaining this overlap consistently.
Straight Stripes Technique
For those iconic straight stripes, especially on larger lawns or lawns without a defined edge, start by mowing a straight line down the centre. Then, mow parallel to this line on both sides. This technique helps in maintaining straight stripes across the lawn.
Edges and Finishing Touches
Don’t stress about trimming all the edges while mowing up and down. Instead, do a final cut around the perimeter of the lawn to catch any missed areas and create a professional-looking frame.
Changing Directions
If your mower has a roller, change the mowing direction at least once a month to avoid creating permanent tracks. For mowers with four wheels, ensure each pass overlaps so the wheels don’t repeatedly run over the same spots, which can lead to ruts and tramlines.
Adjusting Mowing Speed and Height
When the grass is damp or particularly long, reduce your mowing speed but keep the blade speed constant. If you find that certain areas of the lawn are being scalped, adjust the mowing height to avoid cutting too close. Scalped areas are prone to moss and weeds.
Special Areas: Slopes and Shade
Mow slopes and shady areas one setting higher than the rest of the lawn to promote even growth and prevent these areas from becoming too short and stressed.
Blade Maintenance
A lawn that appears to have a silver sheen or frayed edges after mowing is a sign that the blades need sharpening. For cylinder mowers, a ribbed or rippled effect indicates either blunt blades, insufficient power, or mowing too fast on long or wet grass. In such cases, slow down and mow more frequently.
Grass Clippings: To Collect or Not?
Consider leaving the box off the mower if it’s safe to do so and weeds aren’t seeding. This can help retain moisture during summer and lightly feed the lawn during the growing season. After applying liquid feed, seaweed, or iron products, leaving the clippings for one or two cuts can be beneficial.
Maintaining a Healthy Lawn
By following these tips, you can maintain a healthy, lush lawn that not only looks great but also thrives throughout the growing season. Remember, the key to a beautiful lawn lies in regular maintenance, proper mowing techniques, and timely adjustments to your mowing practices.
