Arrangement in country houses and country estates of green lawns is becoming a popular occupation. At first glance, it seems that everything is simple in this matter: It allocated a place for a green lawn, sowed a plot with grass seeds and wait for the field to turn into a green lawn. And only later comes the understanding of the need for proper care, and he, first of all, is a skillful operation of the lawn mower. It turns out that cutting the lawn is necessary not only for beauty.
Why and how often the lawn is cut?
Usually, lawns are planted with herbs of the cereal family, and shearing prevents their flowering and fruiting. This simple technique prolongs the growing season of plants, promotes good rooting, the growth of lateral green shoots and tillering. Regular haircut contributes turf compaction, and densely growing “cultural” grass prevents the growth and spread of weeds. Throughout the warm period, as a result of timely mowing, the green colour of the lawn is preserved.
There is no certainty about the lawn mowing frequency. This parameter depends on several objective factors:
- type of vegetation planted;
- soil type and top dressing;
- weather;
- seasonal features of plant growth;
- purpose of the lawn.
The first lawn mowing starts in the spring after the grass on the planned lawn rises to a height of 12-14 cm. An over-mowed lawn is recommended to be mowed when the green has risen to 7-10 cm. Depending on the intended purpose of the green covering, the grass is mowed to a level of 4-7 cm. Subsequent mowing is recommended to be carried out each time the grass is pulled up to a height of 2-3 cm above the desired level.
In summer, it is not recommended to cut the lawn too short to avoid the early drying of the plants.
Cutting height adjustment on a lawnmower.
Lawn mower structurally involves adjusting the height of the cut grass. The range of different models may vary. Manufacturers indicate the minimum and maximum values of this parameter in the accompanying documentation. In low-cost models of interchangeable height positions often 3, in the more expensive and advanced may be 5-7 positions of the regulator.
For the care of bumpy lawns usually, choose a model with a wider range of height adjustment.
Different models may vary the technical solution of the choice of cut height. There are two types of regulation: manual and mechanical. The first involves stopping the engine and actions from changing the position of the regulator manually. The mechanical method allows you to change the cutting height by pressing a button on the control lever, without interrupting the process.
Basic Lawn Mowing Rules.
Use the trimmer to mow the lawn in a neglected state much faster, but after this work is completed, it is necessary to collect mowed greens with a rake.
Hence the conclusion: lawnmower owners should not allow high grass growth.
It also often raises the question of whether mow wet grass petrol lawn mower. The rules state: it is not recommended to work with a lawn mower in the rain or after watering, since such mowing is of no different quality, and there is a risk to get ugly stripes on the muddy ground
Besides, other rules must be followed when mowing the lawn:
- A hot summer day is not the best time to mow the grass. Fresh sections dry quickly, and their yellowness spoils the appearance of the lawn.
- It is recommended to mow the lawn in the morning or the evening in dry weather, a day after rain or watering, when the soil and grass dries out.
- It is necessary to ensure that the lawnmower knife was sharpened. Work with blunt knives is fraught with troubles in the form of a jam of foliage and tearing out grass with the root.
- Before mowing you need to rake to collect the fallen leaves, tree branches and other debris, to level the occurring earthen mounds formed as a result of the vital activity of earthworms, ants and other insects.
- It is necessary to decide on haircut direction so that it was at an angle to the previous one. Otherwise, the appearance of the lawn will be associated with a washboard.
- When mowing it is necessary to observe the parallelism of following and not to leave narrow lanes, paying attention to the grass under the wheels.
Mulching function in the lawn mower.
In the care of beds and lawns, various methods of improving soil fertility are used. Mulching is a necessary exercise for rehabilitating lawns, as well as prevent soil erosion. As a mulch, mowed grass has proven itself well. Periodically it is recommended to mow the grass and prepare compost from it, which in winter is used as organic fertilizer for the lawn.
On sale, there are wheel units in which the mulching function is already built-in. With this additional option, the lawn mower will mow grass and un-harvested fallen leaves during trimming: the process consists of chopping and carefully discharging organic matter to the clipped part of the lawn. The advantage of such models is obvious: the lawn is cleared of plant debris, which, in processed form, is returned to the soil surface and enriches it. But the cost of a lawnmower with additional features will be higher than the usual model.
Problems with lawn mowers.
Like any used in gardening equipment, wheeled lawn mowing equipment requires compliance with the rules of safe use. Motorized equipment can only be operated in good condition. This is an unshakable requirement. And before you turn on the electric or gasoline unit, you must be sure to ensure its integrity. In carrying out work, you must comply with the general safety rules and requirements of the instructions from the manufacturer.
There are five main problems in the process of using a lawn mower:
- hitting an obstacle;
- drip oil;
- knives are clogged with grass;
- the unit collects ground with grass;
- rough cut.
All problems are solved to some extent. In the first two situations, you will most likely have to seek help from specialists. And for the prevention of such problems, it is recommended to check the area before cutting for the presence of stones and other objects in the grass of the lawn, and also not to store the machine upside down.
Young soft and juicy grass can clog the hole for its release, and then there is unstable, torn work of the motor. In this case, it is necessary to periodically stop work to clean the hole from adhering grass segments with a thin sharp tool.
When the mower powerfully rakes in not only grass stalks but also clods of earth, it will help to correct the situation. Cutting height adjustment so that the knife did not reach the ground. If a unit with a regular working motor cuts off grass with irregular stripes, shreds, then the problem with the sword is either blunt or not installed entirely correctly.
To clarify the correct location of the cutting tool will help refer to the manufacturer’s instructions. Sharpening a knife is best left to a specialist.
When working with a lawnmower, don’t forget to use personal protective equipment. Regularly check the working inventory to identify defects in time and solve the problem before a serious breakdown occurs.