Mowing your lawn correctly
Remember that mowing is pruning. Proper mowing increases the density of the lawn, which in turn decreases weeds. Each type of grass has a recommended mowing height. Find out which type of grass is in your lawn (you may have more than one) and mow at the proper height.
Lawn Mowing and Care Tips for Beginners
David Beaulieu is a landscaping expert and plant photographer, with 20 years of experience.
Along with snow shoveling, mowing lawns is one of the more tedious aspects of yard maintenance. Still, it has to be done, but there are some perks to mowing your own lawn. For one, you can keep your grass exactly how you like it and take pride in maintaining your property. You’re also not at the mercy of a lawn service’s schedule and can save money in the process.
If you’re new to lawn mowing or just want to brush up on the basics, follow these tips for lawn maintenance.
When to Mow the Lawn
Avoid mowing the lawn when the grass is wet. The period just after a rainstorm or the early morning when the grass is still covered with dew wouldn’t be good times to mow. The grass is heavy from the weight of water, and this causes uneven terrain for mowing. If you want to get the most clean cut, mow mid-morning when conditions are dry.
In addition to holding out for dry conditions, you also might need to wait for some shade. Mowing when the sun is pounding down on your grass, especially during a hot summer afternoon, can put stress on the lawn. It’s not an easy physical task for your body either. So waiting until the late afternoon or early evening after the heat of the day has passed would be a better choice. Just don’t cut the grass too late in the day after darkness falls, as reduced visibility increases the chance for a mowing mishap.
Choosing a Lawn Mower
There are three main types of mowers to choose from.
Reel Mowers
If you consider yourself an environmentalist, a reel mower could be the right choice for you. Reel mowers, or push mowers, don’t have a power source other than the muscle of the operator. This makes them quiet and eco-friendly. And the modern versions contain lighter materials that make them easier to push than reel mowers from decades past.
However, there are limitations to these mowers. They’re not good for mowing tall grass. And rather than chopping up twigs like other mowers do, the twigs can get lodged in the blades; you must rake your yard prior to mowing if there are any twigs or sticks in it. Still, if you have a small urban lot, a reel mower could be the ideal option. One important note is the blades must be sharpened regularly for this mower to be effective.
Cordless Electric Mowers
Another popular type of lawnmower is a cordless electric mower. Along with its lack of exhaust fumes, an obvious benefit to this mower being cordless is the freedom of movement it provides. Dragging around the cords of corded electric mowers can be a nuisance. There’s also the risk of accidentally running over the cord with the mower. Fortunately, “electric” is no longer synonymous with cumbersome cords. The modern cordless models are safer and more flexible.
Cordless electric mowers run on rechargeable batteries. They’re not as quiet as reel mowers, but they’re still less noisy than gas-powered mowers. They work best for lawns that are around a third of an acre or less. A larger lawn or mowing lots of tall grass can strain the battery. Also, pushing them up hills can be difficult, so make sure you purchase a self-propelled model.
Gas-Powered Mowers
Gas-powered lawn mowers can be divided into two categories: walk-behind rotary mowers and riding mowers/lawn tractors. The walk-behind rotary mowers can further be classified according to whether they’re push-type mowers or self-propelled.
Purchase price varies greatly among gas-powered mowers, with riding mowers and lawn tractors being the most expensive, followed by self-propelled mowers. The push-type gas-powered mowers are the least expensive because they require you to provide the muscle to make them move. Overall gas-powered mowers do well for large areas, and they can tackle long grass. But with their gas-powered engine comes noise and exhaust fumes. Plus, there’s the hassle of making sure you have gasoline on hand to fill your mower.
How to Sharpen a Mower Blade
Sharpen your mower blade every month or two. Dull blades have a tendency to rip grass instead of making clean cuts, which leaves the grass damaged.
Here are the general steps to take to sharpen a lawnmower blade:
Mowing Lawn Tips: Information For Mowing Your Lawn Correctly
Mowing is a love-it-or-hate-it proposition for homeowners. You may think mowing your lawn is a sweaty, back-breaking chore or maybe you consider it an opportunity for healthy exercise as you commune with nature. Either way, mowing lawns properly is a requirement for healthy, vibrant turf.
Lawn Mowing Information
Mowing lawns properly is important in maintaining ongoing health. Mow your lawn when the grass is dry. Diseases spread readily on damp turf and the wet grass can clog your mower. However, don’t mow during the hottest part of the day. Intense heat isn’t healthy for your lawn or you.
Mow in a different direction each time to promote even, upright growth. Otherwise, the grass will lean towards the direction in which you mow.
Leave the clippings so they can return valuable nutrients to the lawn. If you mow regularly, the short clippings decompose quickly and won’t damage your lawn. However, if you wait too long between mowing, or if the grass is damp, you may need to rake lightly, as a deep layer of clippings can smother the lawn. If the clippings form rows or clumps, rake them lightly to distribute them evenly.
How Often Should Grass be Mowed?
There is no set time for mowing the lawn, but most lawns will require mowing at least once a week during late spring and early summer. To keep your lawn healthy, don’t remove more than one-third of the height at each mowing. Removing more can affect healthy root growth, which means the lawn will need more water during warm, dry months.
Cutting the lawn too close can also increase your lawn’s vulnerability to pests and weeds. As a general rule of thumb, a length of about 2 ½ inches (6 cm.), increasing to 3 inches (8 cm.) during the summer, looks good and promotes deep, healthy roots.
Find Organic Lawn Care Near Cook County
Mowing properly is just one of the many ways you can care for your lawn. The next key step is providing lawn care services that don’t harm the environment. That’s where Pure Prairie Organics comes in. We offer a fully organic program and a program with minimal pesticides to keep your lawn healthy and green. To learn more about improving the health of your lawn, give us a call at 630-780-7939 or leave us a message online.
You can also connect with us on our monthly blog page, where we post articles on topics ranging from natural lawn care to pest control. You can also find us on. where we post the latest deals, service offerings, and photos of happy green lawns!