Are you ready to swap the snowblower for the lawnmower? As the spring temperatures rise and the winter snow melts, it is time to review the best mowing practices and techniques to keep your grass healthy and your lawn looking its best throughout the summer.
Why Should You Mow Your Lawn?
With proper mowing equipment and techniques, cutting off the tips of your grass stimulates growth throughout your lawn. Mowing your grass helps keep roots growing strong enough to push out weeds and give you a thick, healthy, lush lawn.
8 Mowing Tips To Keep Your Lawn Healthy, Looking Great
How and when you mow your grass will determine the way your lawn looks throughout the summer. From the first mow in late spring to the final cut before winter sets in, it is important to properly care for your lawn using the right equipment and methods.
1. Clearing the Way
Utah winters can result in significant accumulations of snow that take weeks to dissipate as spring takes hold. The grass on your lawn has been deprived of sunshine and care for months. Before firing up the mower for the first time in the season, take the time to go through your lawn and clear any accumulated messes, including branches, rocks, and any trash or debris that may collect during the winter months. You may also need to inspect for nests that animals created to keep warm until the thaw.
2. Mowing Path
One of the greatest joys of summer is seeing the perfectly aligned stripes on your lawn after a fresh mowing. Even if you think you have discovered the perfect pattern that highlights your home and yard features, it is important to change up the pattern with each mow. Running the same path every week throughout the summer will form ruts and leave grass lying flat. Experiment with different patterns that lighten and darken areas of the lawn to create unique designs.
3. Avoid Lawn Scalping
The biggest mistake you can make while mowing your lawn is to cut the grass too short. A general guideline is to cut no more than a third of the grass length in one mowing. Following the one-third rule means that it may take several mows over weeks to reach the desired length of your lawn. Keeping your grass at or longer than three inches will help to keep your lawn healthy and looking full, lush, and all green.
4. Keep Mower Blades Sharp
The blades are the most-abused component of your mower. It takes little time for them to become dull or chipped with regular use. Worn blades tear at grass blades instead of slicing them cleanly. Mower blades should be removed and sharpened or replaced before the first mow of the season, then regularly inspected throughout the summer.
5. Avoid Cutting Wet Grass When Possible
Cutting wet grass is more challenging, takes longer, and can leave a clumpy mess throughout your lawn. Mower blades have to work harder to cut wet grass, too, and will not work effectively or efficiently. There are likely to be times when you have no choice but to mow your grass when it is still wet. Dealing with the challenges of cutting a wet lawn is still better than not mowing at all.
6. Wait to Water After Mowing
It may be tempting to water your lawn after a thorough mowing session. However, the best time to water is in the early morning hours when the air is its coolest, and the water is better able to reach the deepest roots before drying. Avoid watering in the middle of the day when the sun’s rays are most powerful and later in the evening when the grass does not have ample time to dry out.
7. Use the Right Mower
Lawnmowers come in all types, sizes, and price ranges. Traditional push mowers still do the best job for smaller yards and patches of grass, while riding mowers are used for expansive yards. Picking the right mower for your lawn will come down to:
- The size of your lawn;
- The topography of your land;
- How much you want to spend;
- How much you want to exert yourself mowing your lawn;
- Personal preferences.
8. When to Hire a Professional
Mowing your lawn can provide you with exercise and the personal satisfaction of getting the job done yourself. However, there may be times when it is time to call in a professional. If you are unable to attend to your lawn or it is just too large to manage by yourself, a team of lawn care specialists from All Green Pest Control & Lawn Care will leave your grass healthy and looking its best in a fraction of the time it takes you to do it yourself.
Contact All Green Today
At All Green Pest Control & Lawn Care, our team of certified lawn care professionals is dedicated to providing your residential or commercial property a healthy, lush green lawn all summer long. For complete information on our wide range of lawn care services, contact All Green Pest Control & Lawn Care and get started today.