Although lawn-cutting is time-consuming, the results are worth the hard work. If you like to spend time in nature while beautifying your property, it’s a win-win. But if you are going to do the job for the first time, it is essential to learn some technical aspects to ensure healthy grass growth and the prevention of weeds and bald patches.
Whether you are a new homeowner or are planning to take up the job as a beginner, this guide will help you with easy-to-follow lawn-cutting tips.
How to Begin With Lawn Cutting
Choose Your Mower
There are different types of lawnmowers available in the market. Here is how you can get started with some of the common options:
- Gas Mowers: You get self-propelled and push-propelled variants. Both types are suitable for lawns up to 0.5 acres in size.
- Manual Reel Mowers: These are an affordable and environmentally-friendly option for small lawns.
- Electric Push Mowers: These make less noise when doing the job and are appropriate for small lawns up to 0.25 acres in size.
- Ride-On Mowers: Like a tractor, these are lawnmowers with an operator’s seat that allows you to drive instead of pushing. Avoid using them if your lawn is on hilly terrain.
Prepare Your Mower
It is crucial to clean and sharpen your mower blades to prevent shabby cuts that lead to brown tips and grass diseases.
- You may have to sharpen the blade at least twice a year
- You need some tools and technical information to remove and sharpen the blades yourself
- You should check your blades for damage after every 3-4 sessions.
- You must clean your blades and the underneath of the mower thoroughly to get rid of debris.
Set Mowing Height
Many homeowners mow the grass too short to avoid frequent lawn cutting. However, this will lead to a brown lawn with more weeds. There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to height, but the range falls between 2 to 3 inches. Here is how you can find the ideal height:
- Measure from the bottom of your mowing deck to the ground and up to your blades. This equals the mowing height.
- It helps to consult a professional lawn care service as they know the job and can also advise you on the perfect height for your lawn.
Check the Fuel & Oil Levels
- Ensure your fuel tank is full before starting the mower, as adding fuel or oil to a warm engine is unsafe.
- Remember to check the oil levels after 2 to 3 sessions.
- Change the oil and clear the fuel lines.
- It helps to have a professional do the routine maintenance for you.
Mow at the Set Time
It is convenient to mow the lawn when you have free time. However, lawn cutting must be done only at a suitable time. Here’s what you should know:
- Avoid mowing more than a third of the total height of your grass
- Mow your grass when it is three inches high
- Do the job when the weather is dry, as wet grass can choke your equipment, and a slippery lawn makes it unsafe to mow.
- Plan to trim your lawn in the evening after a dry day, as it reduces lawn damage and heat stress on the grass.
Clear Away Your Lawn
Clean away debris, pet waste, rocks, toys or other things that may hinder the job and cause damage. Ensure to keep your pets and kids away from the site while doing the job because some mowers can eject debris at high speeds that may injure people around.
Wear Your Lawn Cutting Protective Gear
Here is a list of protective gear you should put on before starting the job:
- Safety glasses to protect your eyes from flying debris
- Ear protection to soften the loud engine
- Long pants and sturdy footwear to protect your legs and feet
- Sunscreen and a hat to protect your skin if you are doing the job in the daytime.
Efficient Way of Lawn Cutting
Start Around the Edge
Start mowing around the perimeter of the lawn to get enough room to turn your equipment as you trim back and forth. Then:
- Move along curved planting beds and trees and create straight lines and angles.
- Divide your lawn into small rectangles for easier mowing.
Mow Left to Right on Sloped Ground
If you are mowing on sloped ground, avoid going up and down. Instead, mow left to right in straight lines perpendicular to the slope. Try using manual push-reel mowers on the sloped ground as they are safer than the larger and heavier powered models. However, regardless of the type of mower you use, be careful on slopes, as you could still get injured by a slip or fall.
Mow Back and Forth in Straight Lines
- To trim in the small rectangular sections, start from one side and move straight from one end to the other.
- Now, turn your machine and mow an adjoining row in the opposite direction.
- Mow the entire rectangular block and other ones in the same pattern.
Utilize Finely Cut Clippings
You can nourish your grass by leaving the finely-cut clippings on the previously cut strip of the lawn. Use a mulching mower to spread them, or collect them in a bag attached to your machine. Then, you can add the clippings to your compost, use them as mulch or dispose of them.
Mow in Different Directions
Avoid mowing your lawn in the same direction every time. Because the grass will tend to bend and grow in that direction, inhibiting their healthier growth. For one lawn-cutting session, you can mow from north to south, and for the other, you can go east to west.
Use String Trimmers Or Edgers
String trimmers or edgers are perfect for the hard-to-reach areas of your lawn where mowers become inefficient. You can use them at the end of the lawn-cutting process to create clean edges around shrubs, trees, and walkways.
Create Basic Lawn Pattern
If the grass is mowed away from where you are standing, they appear light green. If they are bent in your direction, then they appear dark green. So, to get a beautiful pattern of light green and dark green stripes, you can use the traditional lawn-cutting method by mowing back and forth to form alternate lines. Use specific mowing equipment to get more defined stripes.
Create Checkerboard Pattern
You can create a checkerboard-style pattern by mowing over one section twice. Start by trimming in the north-to-south direction. Repeat cutting in the same area in the east-to-west direction. Complete the task by moving around the perimeter to create a finished line.
Create Diamond & Zig-Zag Stripes
Diamond-shaped lawn cutting is easier than achieving a checkerboard pattern. Just rotate your alternating mowing lines 45 degrees to mow from corner to corner within your squared area. After creating a diamond pattern, you can form a zig-zag shape. All you need to do is repeat mowing 90-degree turns each time you mow over three diamonds. A clean zig-zag pattern can come through practice. It also helps to hire a lawn cutting service if you want a perfectly shaped beautiful lawn.
Enhance the Curb Appeal with Our Lawn Cutting Services
Simple Solutions Landscaping & Snow Removal offers premium lawn care services tailored to your needs. You can count on us for easy and reliable lawn cutting without sacrificing your valuable free time. We offer a comprehensive lawn care package that covers all your needs specific to every season. Our professionals can also help you trim a beautiful lawn with your desired patterns.
Whether you are looking for a one-time, weekly or biweekly lawn mowing service, we can help you. Contact us at 416-271-3503 or fill out our form to learn more about our landscaping and lawn services.
