Lawn-Mowing Tips

Every homeowner desires a lush healthy lawn that is well-maintained to be the first thing noticed about their property. What many may not know is that you can achieve this goal easier if you alter the way you mow your lawn. This includes not only the condition of your lawn mower, but the style and timing of how and when you mow your grass.

The One-Third Rule

Avoid mowing your grass when it is wet, first of all. When mowing your lawn, do not cut off more than a third of the grass blade during one mowing session. If you are in the situation where the grass is very tall so you are cutting off half or more, break this task into two to three mowing jobs. It may be a nuisance, but cutting away more than a third of the blade will put excess stress on your lawn, making it less healthy. The upside to this process is that you can leave the grass clippings on your lawn in order to put nutrients back into the soil, along with hydration. Grass clippings are about 75 percent water.

Cut According to the Grass Variety

It is important to know what variety of grass is on your lawn in order to cut it properly. Cool season grasses cannot be cut very short. This is because the more height on the blade helps make the root system deeper so weeds can't crowd in, and it will gather more nutrients. Warm-season grasses mowing height should be raised about a third of an inch in hot months, but can usually be kept pretty short in other months. When the growth is slow, mow your lawn about every other week. In regular growth seasons, mow every week.

Lawn-Mower Tips

When mowing your grass, alternate the direction of the mower to make your lawn look more even and polished. Do this by mowing across horizontally, then going back over the same area vertically. Also make sure to keep your mower's blade clean, wiping it down before and after you mow the lawn. Not only will this provide a cleaner, sharper cut, but it will keep disease from spreading and help you notice when you must replace the blade from rust.