8 Lawn Mowing Tips to Pure Your Grass Like a Professional
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If you think lawn mowing is all about trimming grass, think again.
The truth is that the health of the grass on your lawn depends on how you mow your grass. If you don't do it right, it can cause unsightly brown patches, weed, and cause your grass to become infected with diseases.
Here are six lawn mowing tips to help you mow your lawn like a professional gardener.
1. Inspect your lawn mower
Before you start mowing your lawn, make sure that its fuel tank is full. That's because once you start mowing your lawn, it's engine still start warming up, making it unsafe to add fuel later.
The same thing is true with your oil levels. Additionally, make it a habit to check your oil levels every 2-3 mows.
Let's also not forget your mower's blade. Make sure that they're sharp and free from any dents or cracks. Sharpen them every 3-4 mows. You can do this on your own or you can get a local handyman do this for you.
2. clear away any debris
Take a look at your lawn and get rid of any kinds of debris like branches, rocks, and pet waste. Not only would these make a mess, but they can also damage your lawn mower's blades.
3.Wear the right gear
As you mow your lawn, expect that grass blades will be flying around. They won't kill you, but they definitely would cause irritation and a few scratches. So make sure that you protect yourself. Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes. Opt for long pants to protect your legs and long-sleeved shirts for your arms.
It's also a good idea to also get some ear plugs as some lawn mowers can be very loud, and the sound can hurt your ears.
4.Don't mow your grass too close
One of the biggest lawn mowing mistakes people make is that they tend to mow their grass way too close. This causes their lawn to look like a nasty brown patch. They think it's the best way to get their grass looking lush and fresh. But actually, it can cause all sorts of nasty effects.
For starters, cutting too close to the grass' crown (a process called grass scalping) can injure it. As a result, they won't be able to produce enough food. Not only will these affect their growth, but also make your grass weak and unable to fight off pests and disease.
Worse, cutting the grass too close means that sunlight can get to the soil where weed seeds live. So instead of lush grass, you'll end up with a lawn full of weeds.
As a rule of thumb, set your mower's blade so that it cuts only one-third of the length of your grass blades. That way, you can be sure that your grass stays healthy and prevent weeds from growing.
But, for grass that is still young or growing under a shady area, set your mower's blade so that it cuts only one-fourth of the blade's length. This is essential since they'll need that extra length to help them get the nutrients they need.
5.Schedule your lawn mowing when it's cool
Mowing your lawn early in the morning or late in the afternoon helps prevent you and your grass from suffering from heat stress. It also ensures that your grass will grow at the rate it should.
6.Make sure your grass is dry
Another common mistake people make when mowing their lawn is that they do this when their grass is wet. True, it can prevent grass blades from flying around. But, mowing wet grass can also cause your mower's blades to clog up. The damp soil can also cause your mower to create nasty wheel marks on your otherwise pristine lawn.
7.Change your mowing pattern regularly
If you've been mowing your lawn following the same direction, it's time to start switching them up. If you keep on doing this, it can cause your grass to start leaning towards the direction where you mow. Switching the direction will ensure that your grass blades continue to grow upright.
8.Leave the clippings
After you're done mowing your lawn, don't collect the cut grass blades. Leave them where they fell. As they wither and die, they will nourish the soil and transform into organic fertilizer for your grass.
Do you have any lawn mowing tips to share? If so, leave them in the comments below.
