Want a lawn that makes your neighbors envious? Choosing the correct mowing pattern is the best thing to make it happen. Now several lawn care services are available, and you can easily hire professional lawn care to do the job for you, but there is a charm in moving some muscle and mowing the lawn yourself.
But how would one machine sensational lawn patterns, and which mowing techniques work the best? Changing the lawn patterns is aesthetic and benefits the lawn as it prevents the grass from wearing out in certain areas. This is the perfect narrative for you if you want to make your lawn look pop this spring. Let’s dive right in!
1. Pick the Right Pattern
The most important thing when mowing your lawn is to pick the correct pattern. Now there are countless designs you can create, from strips to circles to checkerboards. But one thing to remember is the viewing angle and the sunlight’s direction.
We are all aware of the power of reflection and how it can make things look from dab to fab. Well, lawn patterns are no exception. The grass blades bent away from you exhibit lighter hues, while the ones bent toward you produce darker ones [1]. Hence, creating a pattern by altering the pattern’s direction makes the most eye-catching patterns. Lawn care services also offer unique patterns which work best for holidays or special occasions.
2. Always Go with The Right Speed
Lawn mowing is therapeutic, and rushing things will damage the lawn and make you feel unsatisfied despite putting in the sweat and the effort. Lawn care services professionals recommend using low to medium speed when mowing lawns.
Going at a low-speed help even cut the grass and reduces the risk of scalping. Scalping is a condition when the mower cuts the blade too short, which makes the grass vulnerable to stress, diseases, and weeds. Fuel efficiency also adds to the list when you mow; choosing the optimal speed can also guarantee that.
3. Prefer The 1/3 Rule Lawn Care Services Professionals Use
Cutting the right blade height is critical if you want your lawn to look surreal. According to experts, the ideal length of cutting grass is not more than the top third of the blade [2]. Although recommended, it doesn’t mean you should be out-measuring each edge with a measuring tape!
The figure only keeps you mindful of how much grass to cut. If you mow your lawn every two weeks, there will be times when things don’t line up, and that’s alright. But if you use the same mower settings, there will be a consistent look most of the time.
4. Mow the Slopes in The Right Direction
Rightly manicured slopes add a glamorous touch to your lawn, and similarly improperly mowed slopes take away its charm. Now the perfect direction for mowing the slopes depends upon the type of mower you are using.
Experts suggest mowing side to side for push mowers as you can compromise safety mowing vertically. In comparison, for a riding mower, going in a vertical (up and down) direction is more suitable [3]. If you have a lot of slopes in your lawn (like some countryside residency or so), consider hiring appropriate lawn care services to prevent hazards and ensure a perfectly manicured lawn.
5. Use the Available Landmarks as Your Guide To Get The Professional Finish
Creating symmetrical lawn patterns is one of the most common problems when not hiring lawn care services. Although it may sound like a complicated current affairs issue, there is a quick and easy way around it. You can consider using landmarks as your guide. But what kinds of landmarks are we talking about?
Anything that can help you follow a symmetry. You can use the flower beds on the side as a guide to mow in straight lines. Similarly, wooden fences, walls, or tree lines also work perfectly as guides. Another underrated yet creative way to ensure straight lines is typing a string or a rope between two points and mowing the first line. Later, use the first line as a guide for other lines.
6. Avoid Mowing After the Rain
The next thing to ensure a well-manicured lawn is cutting the grass when it’s dry. Now it is a rule every homeowner and lawn care service professional abides by even if the world turns upside down. Wet grass is difficult to trim and clumps more readily than dry grass.
Also, mowing wet grass can clog the mower’s blades and discharge the chute, hindering its performance. As the mower loses its sharpness, the grass blades appear torn rather than cut, and it doesn’t give the desired luxurious feel you’ve been striving for.
7. Mulch or Bagging the Clippings
Mulching and bagging are the two most followed approaches to manicuring grass or green turf lawns. But which one is better? Mulching is easier as you don’t have to bag all the cut grass and dispose of it; in comparison, bagging indicates putting all the cut grass in a trash bag and taking it away.
There is a lot of debate about mulching being better as the cut grass decomposes, acting as a natural fertilizer for the lawn. However, using a mulching kit with your mower is a better approach. The kit cuts the clippings into fine pieces, which decompose quickly. Alternatively, you can ask the lawn care services professionals to bag the clippings separately and compost them later.
8. Re-Mow for A Smoother Finish
The magical tip that most lawn care service providers don’t unveil. Mowing can sometimes be time-consuming, but regardless of your urge to drop the mower and grab a comfortable seat in front of your TV. But doing this last step adds a lush finish to your lawn. Re-mow the edges of your lawn again to even out any turn marks or untrimmed patches left. [4]
Re-mowing the perimeter adds the last bit of finishing touches to your manicured lawn. However, you can drop this step if you are already happy with the looks.
The Bottom Line
Mowing a lawn is an exciting yet a little challenging process. However, knowing where to start and what to ensure, you can nail it on the first attempt. Always remember that the intensity of the pattern depends on the sunlight exposure and the length of the grass blades.
Other things like mowing at the right speed and direction contribute to the lawn’s ultimate feel. Numerous lawn care services are available nowadays, so you can hire them depending on your budget and lawn size.
FAQs
- When should you hire lawn care services?
If you desire professional expertise and specialized equipment or require assistance with more complex tasks, lawn care services can be a valuable investment.
- How much do professionals charge for mowing your lawn?
Usually, lawn mowing costs around 50 to 200 dollars per hour, but the costs vary depending on market prices and lawn size. [5]
- Is mowing a green turf lawn necessary?
Mowing a turf lawn improves growth rate and ensures thick blades rather than uneven patches.
- How is lawn mowing good for the environment?
Mowing a lawn improves soil matter and also enhances pollination habitats for bees.
References:
[1] https://www.thespruce.com/lawn-mowing-patterns-5221488
[2] https://blog.nutrilawn.com/mowing-your-lawn-techniques
[4] https://getbusygardening.com/lawn-mowing-patterns/
[5] https://www.angi.com/articles/how-much-charge-lawn-mowing.htm