Mastering the Mow: Your Ultimate Lawn Mowing Guide

Mowing your lawn is key to a healthy lawn. Some people love the satisfaction of a well-manicured lawn and the sense of accomplishment it brings. On the other hand, some individuals loathe the physical labour involved or find it monotonous.

But whether you love it or loathe it, regular mowing is essential to maintain a healthy and lush lawn. If mown correctly it increases the density of the lawn, which in turn decreases weeds.

In this blog, we will discuss the essential grass mowing tips that will help you achieve the perfect lawn.

• Importance of sharp mower blades
• When to mow your grass and cutting heights
• How to get lawn stripes

LAWN MOWER CARE – SHARPEN YOUR MOWER BLADES.

Before lawn mowing, check your grass mower blades are sharp. Sharp mower blades are necessary for a perfect-looking lawn. We are regularly asked by our customers why they have patches in their lawn, this is usually down to the mower.

Mowing with a dull blade will roughly rip through your grass, meaning it will begin to pull the grass up by the roots rather than trimming it – creating some ugly patches in your lawn. This will also leave your lawn more susceptible to disease and pests.

How to tell if your mower blade needs sharpening 

• Uneven grass height.
• The need to mow the same area multiple times.
• Grass blades are torn instead of sliced.
• Discoloured lawn – yellow or brown patches.

How often do your blades need to be sharpened? 

It’s recommended your blades should be sharpened after 25 hours of use. However, this is dependent on how often and how long you mow for. 

How to sharpen the lawn mower blade

• Once power has been disconnected, turn the mower of its side.
• If the blade is blunt or nicked, sharpen it. If your blade is damaged, it will need replacing.  
• If sharpening by hand, you should aim to sharpen at a 45-degree angle and push the file in one direction along the blade. Your strokes should go from inside edge to the out. 
• If sharpening with an angle or bench grinder, clamp the mower blade still and move the grinder slowly back and forth against the edge of the mower blade. 

The blade should be as sharp as a butter knife. Whereas a razor-sharp blade will dull more quickly. Once completed, grab a blade of grass, and pull it over the blade, if it cuts easily, it was a success.

Checking the blade balance 

It’s important that when you replace the newly sharpened blade, that you check the balance of the blade. Any imbalance will cause vibration and affect the cut. Simply, hang the blade on a screwdriver or a pen etc. If it drops down either side, the side that dipped down is heavier and will need a few strokes taken off to make the balance even. 

Now you’re ready to reattach your blade and get mowing. Make sure it’s tight and the right way up.

CORRECT MOWING HEIGHT

Correct mowing can make a huge difference to its health and how good it looks. Between growing season - March to October, we would recommend your lawn to be mown at least once a week.

What height should I mow at?

The height in which you mow your grass varies throughout the year, depending on weather conditions and your lawns needs. As a general Rule of Thumb, set the mower blades high as we enter a dry period and lower as we come out of one.

• Spring and Summer – 25mm (1’’) – 50mm (2’’)
• Dry Weather – 50mm (2’’) – This allows the grass to retain moisture to stop it from drying out too quickly.
• Autumn and Winter – 35mm (1.25’’) – 25mm (1’’)

A healthy lawn can survive an occasional close cut, but repeated close mowing will weaken the grass plant and encourage lawn disease, weeds, and moss.

Additional Lawn Mowing Tips

• If the grass is too long, cut it back in stages rather than all at once.
• If the grass is dry and not growing, do not mow it.
• On a dry winter day, mowing the lawn will reap the benefits in Spring, preventing the grass being too long for the first cut of the year.
• Mow when the grass is dry. Mowing wet grass can lead to uneven cuts, clumps, and potential damage to your lawn.
• Change the mowing pattern each time you mow. This helps prevent soil compaction and encourages upright grass growth.

HOW TO GET STRIPES ON YOUR LAWN

Ever wondered how you get those picture-perfect stripes on your lawn? It’s much easier to achieve than you might think.

It’s worth noting, lawn stripes look better on a lawn that has good lawn care, hasn’t been cut too short and is healthy, with a thick, dense sward.

1. Firstly, you need a rotary mower with a rear roller or a cylinder mower.
2. If it’s difficult to turn your lawn mower at either end of the garden, it’ll be best to first cut around the perimeter. 
3. Before adding the first stripe, ensure you are at the right angle to the perimeter, use an object as a rough guide; a fence, patio, or path. 
4. When you add your first stripe, at the end of the row, simply lift the lawn mower around and come back in the opposite direction. Make sure when you add a new stripe, you overlap the previous stripe slightly. This will ensure you do not miss any patches of grass.

Is a robot lawn mower the right choice for my lawn?

Using a robot lawn mower can be a convenient and efficient solution for maintaining your lawn. These mowers save time and effort, operate quietly, and can keep your grass consistently trimmed without manual intervention. They’re particularly useful for smaller or medium-sized lawns with simple layouts. However, they may not handle complex terrains, slopes, or very large areas as effectively as traditional mowers. Additionally, regular maintenance and initial setup are required, and they may not provide the same precision as manual mowing. 

Remember, a beautifully maintained lawn requires a bit of effort and care. By following these mowing tips, you can ensure that your lawn remains healthy, lush, and the envy of your neighbourhood. Happy mowing!

Did you know, GreenThumb have a treatment which improves your lawn and reduces the need for so much mowing? It’s called SlowMow – check it out here.