Have you ever noticed that there are always one or two houses in every neighborhood that have absolutely gorgeous lawns? The stripes are always straight, there are never any bald patches, and the weeds have beaten a hasty retreat. Did you ever wonder what the secret was? Well, a lot of this is down to how the lawn is mowed.
They say that the secret to doing any good job is to have the right tools, and it’s exactly the same when it comes to mowing your lawn. Just buying a good lawnmower isn’t enough – you need to keep it in good shape. The most important thing is to keep the blades sharp, since dull blades can really damage your lawn. Rather than cutting the grass off cleanly, dull blades tear the grass. Not only does this create an unsightly result, it also makes the grass susceptible to diseases and can also give your lawn a washed-out look. Get your lawn mower serviced properly at the beginning of the year, sourcing any necessary replacement parts from Pat’s Power Equipment Repair, and then have the blades sharpened another two or three times during the season.
Once you have your lawn mower in good shape, the next thing is to set the blades to the right height. In general, you want your grass to be 2½ to 3 inches long once you have mown it. If you mow your grass too short, this will make the roots weak. Strong roots make your lawn resistant to disease, and also prevent weeds from gaining a foothold. Another good thing to remember is that you should only ever mow about 1/3 off the height of your lawn, so wait until the grass is 4 to 4½ inches high before you mow for the first time. It’s all right to mow less than 1/3 off in subsequent mowings – but keep in mind that if you do this, you will have to mow your lawn more frequently.
Another key thing is to pay attention to the weather when you are mowing. Avoid mowing when it is too hot, since this can kill the grass. During the hot summer months, it’s a better idea to mow your lawn early in the morning or in the evening when the temperature is lower and the sunlight isn’t as strong. Also, steer clear of mowing your lawn when it has been raining, since this can compact the soil and prevent air getting to the roots – which is essential for a healthy lawn.
Finally, you may be tempted to pick up all of those lawn clippings, particularly if you are worried that they will form a thatch on top of the lawn. However, there’s no need to bag your clippings. Provided that you stick to the rule of only cutting 1/3 off each time that you mow, the clippings will decompose rapidly. You’ll be left with a lot less effort, and the decomposed clippings will fertilize your lawn.
