5 Helpful Tips to Mow Your Lawn Like a Pro

I. Keep the Blades Sharp

Any good chef can tell you that a blunt blade makes rough work. The same applies to trimming the lawn. Grass, like people, doesn’t do well when it is stressed, and blunt blades are very harsh. A clean cut is better for your lawn and is less likely to spread bacteria or mold into the atmosphere. Three times per year is a good benchmark for having your blades sharpened professionally or swapped out, depending on the type of lawnmower you have. You can also sharpen them yourself in between for peak performance.

II. Some Length Is Good

The rule of thumb is never to cut more than one-third of the total grass length off in one go. If you leave it a little too long and need to cut more, do it in two rounds. Cutting too much length off in one round weakens the structure of the grass and irreparable damages it. 

Double cutting is a good thing and is far better than overcutting. Although it may take a little more time on the day, it saves a lot of work in the long run. Buying a machine with adjustable cutting height is highly beneficial if you want to mow like a pro.

III. Grass Clippings Are Your Friends

Some people are in the habit of attaching a collecting bag to their lawnmower every time they mow. Clipping-free, freshly mowed grass does look satisfying, but those clippings are actually great for the health of your lawn. They are packed full of nutrients that boost the soil and feed the growing shoots.

Using grass cuttings to feed your soil is known as mulching- a must-do to keep it healthy and strong. Instead of bagging the clippings every time and mulching separately, leave them where they lie! If you follow the one-third rule and you mow regularly, there shouldn’t be a problem. 

If it has been a while since you mowed and the grass is extra long, then a collecting bag is a good idea. Long clippings are more difficult for the ground to absorb, and they could smother the growing grass. You can then use a mulching kit to prepare them if you so desire.

IV. Mix Up the Cutting Direction and Pattern

Patterns are the final touch on any professional-grade lawn. Even if you don’t intend to mow lines into the grass, you should still change the direction regularly. There are two reasons for this.

First of all, mowing in a different direction every time you tackle the job helps ensure a more even cut over time. Secondly, lawnmowers are heavy. The wheels can leave ruts and compact the soil if you constantly go over the same area. Grass does not do well in compacted soil- but weeds thrive in it!

Cutting pattern lines is very simple but takes your lawn to the next level. It looks good and tells everyone around you that you put effort into your home maintenance. Achieving this professional look is as simple as walking in a straight line.

Focus on an object ahead rather than on the ground to make it easier. Walk from end to end, pivot the machine, and walk down the net section. Keep going until you reach the finish line! It is a good idea to give the whole lawn a once-over before cutting lines. Change the settings and do a second round to make the pattern.

V. Cut for the Season

Do you have all the same habits in winter as you do in summer? Probably not. In areas where the seasonal difference is profound, it is unrealistic to think the same routine can work at both times of the year. Grass also has a different set of requirements, and understanding them is essential for that boast-worthy lawn.

We all spend more time in the garden during summer, and the chances are to trim the grass more often. That is fine, as long as you are still leaving enough length. Hot weather can dry out the ground and make anything struggle to grow, so long, well-mulched grass is a must. 

In winter, however, long grass has lots more fighting to do against the cold and wind. Trim your grass far shorter than you normally would at the beginning of winter (around two inches) but do it in two or three rounds. Short grass allows more air to flow, keeps the grass free of mildew and moss, and is easier to maintain in bad weather.