Lawn Mowing: Things to Know Before You Mow

To keep a clean and desirable lawn, you need to maintain the grass frequently by cutting it. Lawn mowing involves using a mower to keep the length of the grass at a decent level.

How to Mow Your Lawn?

How to Mow Your Lawn

To mow your lawn correctly, you have to follow some rules. This is so you don’t damage your grass or create an unappealing look. There is no particular way to mow your lawn; instead, there are several guides you can follow to get the best out of your yard. Here is a concise guide with lawn mowing tips.

Mow your lawn the correct way by avoiding these common lawn mowing mistakes:

  • Mowing too often will not give the grass enough time to grow deep roots and become fuller. Most grasses have their peak growing season, and during their offseason, they do not require as much mowing.
  • Mowing wet grass can cause uneven cuts since the grass blades will stick together. Another problem you’ll face mowing damp grass is leaving the grass on the lawn can quickly form a thick mat that’ll block the lawn. The wet grass can also clog the mower deck.
  • Mowing with dull blades will cause the blade to tear the grass instead of a clean cut at an angle. An uneven cut can leave the grass vulnerable to pests and diseases.
  • Mowing too low can damage the grass. Ideally, it would be best if you did not cut more than ⅓ of grass at a time. This will allow the grass to grow fuller and develop its root further. So adjusting the height of lawn mower is important before cutting the grass.
  • Constantly following the same mowing pattern can cause rot in the lawn and make the grass grow in the direction you mow. Vary the pattern to keep the grass upright and prevent decay. Changing the grass patterns also brings a fresh, exciting lawn design.

When to Mow Your Lawn?

When to Mow Your Lawn

The best time to mow your lawn is in the morning, around 9-10 am, before the sun’s heat becomes intense. This allows ample time for the grass to dry and heal before night. Mowing close to the evening may lead to diseases and fungal infections. Another important thing to consider is to avoid mowing wet grass as it will lead to improper cutting of grass and also can damage soil.

How Often Should I Mow?

how often should i mow the lawn

The frequency of mowing depends on the type of grass, as some grass types grow slowly and may only need to be mowed once in two weeks. However, the general rule of thumb is to cut every week.

Lawn Mowing Equipment / Tools

Equipment Tools that will Help in Lawn Mowing

To mow your lawn correctly and create an appealing look, you need the help of some tools. These tools work in tandem to give your yard the clean aesthetics you love. Here are some lawn mowing tools:

1. Push Lawn Mower

A Lawn Mower is a small machine that cuts grass with its cutting deck fixed under the front of the mower. It is usually for small lawns. A lawn mower can be the push behind model or riding model. Check our article to find out the best push lawn mowers you can use for mowing your lawn.

2. Lawn Tractor or Ride on Mower

A Lawn Tractor is similar to a lawn mower as it also cuts grass; however, the cutting deck of a lawn tractor is mid-mounted, and it can handle more extensive areas. It also mows faster. Lawn tractors are typically powered by gas.

You can look for a detailed guide for the best lawn tractors and ride on mowers buying guide before buying one.

3. Grass Trimmer

A grass trimmer is a hand-held grass cutting tool with a nylon line instead of a blade. The wire is connected to a propulsion system that rotates it at a high velocity. A grass trimmer is especially essential where lawn mowers can’t reach as it can cut tight spaces effortlessly. It, however, requires a lot of energy to carry the trimmer around.

Check out a guide to selecting the best grass trimmer available in the market: Best Gas Hedge Trimmers Reviews.

4. Blower

A Leaf Blower is a gardening tool that helps in both pre-mowing and post-mowing stages. It can help to clear fallen leaves and debris from the area so you can cut the grass with any of the grass cutters. A blower can also move grass clippings away from the lawn area. It works by propelling air out of a nozzle.

We have complied a list of best leaf blower that will help you in clearing you lawn before and after mowing.

5. Grass Collection Bag

As the name implies, this garden tool collects grass clippings. It is attached to the back of a mower so you can gather the grass clippings as you work on your lawn instead of leaving the grass on the lawn.

6. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Mowing the lawn sees grass clippings, stones, and debris flying around in high velocities. This can be dangerous without the proper protection. Personal protective equipment combines protective clothing, goggles, helmet, gloves, and anything you put on to shield your body from these flying objects.

7. Other Small Tools

Aside from the heavy equipment, other small but essential tools aid lawn mowing. These tools include:

  • Garden forks are used to loosen the soil before or after mowing to enable proper soil condition. 
  • Spade is a flattened rectangular plate with one sharp end. It can be used to cut the edge of your lawn, overgrowing its boundaries.
  • Broom is used to sweeping fallen leaves and debris on the lawn 
  • Rake is used to gather grass clippings, fallen leaves, debris, and dirt on the lawn.
  • A manual edger is a garden tool with a long handle and blade that rotates as you roll the tire. As the name implies, it cuts the edges of the lawn, removing overgrown areas.

Do it Yourself Vs Professional Help for Lawn Mowing?

Do it Yourself Vs Professional Help for Lawn Mowing

You can mow your lawn yourself or seek lawn mowing services from professionals. Which one should you do?

Do it Yourself

You can buy or rent a lawn mower or tractor to mow your lawn. One of the most significant advantages of cutting yourself is you get to save the cost of employing the services of professionals. However, it requires a lot of time and effort on your part. You may also date your lawn if you don’t follow lawn mowing best practices.

Professional Help

Employing the help of professionals to take charge of mowing your lawn may be more expensive but removes the burden from your shoulders, especially when you do not have a lot of time on your hands. It also ensures your lawn gets the best treatment and design as these are professionals who have perfected the act of mowing the best way.

You can see one of such professional services for lawn care in our “How Much Does TruGreen Cost? | Pricing Guide” article.

FAQ

  1. Q. How much does lawn mowing cost?

    A. Lawn mowing costs between $30 and $160 per week, with an average price of just over $50. The figure varies depending on the size of the lawn, additional services included, the frequency of mowing, among other things.

  2. Q. What type of lawn mower should I use?

    A. The type of lawn mower you should use depends on a couple of factors like the size of your lawn, your budget, among other things. Riding mowers are more convenient to use since you do not have to push them around like walk-behind mowers. However, they cost more.

  3. Q. How short should I cut my grass?

    It is ideal to cut nothing more than a third of the grass blade to avoid stressing the plant and ensure proper growth.

  4. Q. When and how often should I water my lawn?

    A. The best time to water your lawn is in the morning before 10 am. You want to water before the winds become strong and before the sun comes in full force, causing a lot of evaporation and leaving very little water for the soil to absorb. Depending on the type of grass and climatic condition, you should water your grass once or twice a week with 1-1.5 inches of water each session.

  5. Q. Is it bad to leave grass clippings on your lawn?

    A. It is not wrong to leave grass clippings on your lawn as it serves as mulch and fertilizer for the lawn when it decomposes. If you follow the ⅓ cutting height rule, you shouldn’t have a problem with heavy grass clippings on your lawn.

Conclusion

Lawn maintenance required the correct mowing technique, frequency of mowing and watering, tools, among other things. These things work in tandem to give your lawn a sharp, clean look.

About Jennifer Igra

Growing up in Brooklyn, New York City known for it’s green gardens. Jennifer, a 30 year old gardener and green living fanatic started Igra World to share her gardening journey and increase gardening awareness among masses. Follow Igra World to improve your gardening skills.

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