Sure, mowing a lawn isn’t rocket science. However, knowing how to mow a lawn correctly doesn’t always come easy to everyone how to mow lawn. This is especially when you’ve never had to do this chore yourself. So, to make the process easier on you, here are some do’s and don’ts when taking care of your yard.
How To Mow A Lawn: The Do’s And Don’ts
Having a beautiful front yard really goes a long way. Aside from making your home look extra pretty, it also makes your lawn a safe, healthy place to play with your kids and pets!
And did you know that lawns help improve soil quality, aid in breaking down organic materials and even improve the air quality around your home?
So to help you take care of your lawn the way it deserves, here are a few of our expert tips!
Do – Take Your Own Sweet Time When Mowing Your Lawn
Usually, doing a rushed job on anything results in less-than-average work – especially when mowing a lawn. Knowing how to mow a lawn the right way and having ample time to do the job properly go hand in hand.
That way, you don’t miss mowing through areas, go over areas too much and leave grass clippings scattered unevenly. Sure, while we want you to do it carefully, remember not to run your mower too slowly; doing so can adversely affect the engine’s lifespan and quality.
Do – Leave Grass Clippings Right Where They Are
Leaving behind the grass clippings helps enrich the soil with loads of nutrients. As the old grass starts decomposing, they release water and other organic material, and so creates healthy soil. As your new grass grows, it comes out stronger and healthier than before. When grass clippings are left behind, it also eliminates the need to use chemical fertilisers. Good quality soil and healthy grass helps lower soil temperatures and retains moisture (which comes in handy during hot, dry days.)
Do – Change Up The Way You Mow
Each time you mow your lawn, try doing so in a new pattern. In doing so, you allow the grass to grow evenly and make future mowing jobs a little bit easier. What’s more, you won’t have your mower’s heavy wheel damaging the same area over and over again.
Do – Sharpen Your Lawnmower’s Blades
Having sharp blades helps your lawnmower cut the grass evenly instead of giving it a chewed, uneven look. When grass has uneven cuts and rips through it, it increases the chances of lawn disease and deterioration. When your mower blades are sharp, you also waste less time going over areas and have more time to do the things you love.
Do – Have Some Flexibility
You might like having a plan for when you complete each task on your to-do list. However, check out how the grass looks before mowing it. It’s much easier to take a look at the grass and lawn height and decide if it needs to be cut or not.
Here are a few of the most common mistakes people make and how to avoid them!
Don’t – Mow Before You Check Your Lawn Once
Before you start mowing your lawn, go over your lawn and remove any rocks, debris, toys or other objects from your way. If something gets caught in your machine, it could cause your lawnmower to break down, or throw items into the air, injuring you.
Don’t – Mow Your Lawn At The Wrong Time Of Day
It’s best to mow your lawn when it’s still cool and sunny. If you cut your lawn in the afternoons or whenever the day is at its hottest, your grass can end up losing a lot of water and become stressed, hindering its growth and overall health.
Similarly, avoid cutting it too late when it’s dark out. This is because you might miss something and end up missing areas of your lawn or, worse – injuring yourself.
Don’t – Mow Your Lawn When It’s Still Wet
Speaking of mowing your lawn at the right time of day, you should also only mow it when it’s too wet. This means no mowing while the morning dew is still on the grass or if it’s been freshly watered. Cutting wet grass results in a tattered look, inhibits growth, and weakens soil.
Don’t – Go Overboard With Cutting The Grass
Cutting your grass too long or too short is a big mistake. Aim for a lawn height that is between a couple of inches high. Tall grass can handle stress better, helps prevent weeds from multiplying all over and gives your home that plush, soft, green look.
Also, always work with the one-third rule. Each time you mow, cut off a maximum of 1/3 of the leaf’s length.
Don’t – Forget About Your Mower
Once you have a freshly mowed, beautifully manicured lawn, you’re bound to feel tired. However, proper lawn care doesn’t just stop at cutting the grass. It’s important to clean the underside of your lawnmower after every use.
When you forget to clean your mower, it reduces its effect on your lawn and can result in heavy and expensive repairs to fix up your mower. Go through the instruction manual with your mower to find out how often and what maintenance you need to do to keep this little piece of machinery in excellent condition.
When In Doubt
If you feel like learning how to mow a lawn is too much of an undertaking, or if you aren’t sure of yourself, it’s best to leave it to someone else. After all, just because you don’t (or can’t) mow your lawn yourself doesn’t mean you can’t have a yard at all!
All you need to do is call in a professional lawn mowing service routinely and relax! A professional service will bring in the necessary tools, saving you the hassle of buying and storing expensive lawn mowers properly. These services will also have the know-how to ensure your lawn gets taken care of in the best way possible!
