The 101 on How to Mow a Lawn

It doesn’t matter how beautiful your house is, an unattractive lawn can shatter the image all together. Knowing how to properly mow a lawn is one of the most important parts of keeping your lawn healthy and attractive. Here we are offering you some lawn mowing tips so that you can achieve that perfectly groomed lawn that all of your neighbors will envy. Trust us, lawn envy is a real thing.

#1 When to Mow

I wish there was one answer for everyone but how often you need to mow your lawn is hugely dependent on a number of factors - how much you fertilize, the time of year, how often you water your lawn, etc. General rule of thumb: Mow your lawn when your grass reaches about one third higher than the recommended mowing height. So if you usually cut your lawn to 3 inches high, you’ll need to mow when the grass is about 4 inches high.

#2 How Much to Cut

Some people think that cutting your grass really short is best because you won’t have to mow as often. Big mistake! Short grass means less shade to protect the roots and the sun may scorch it yellow. For a lush lawn we recommend never cutting your grass below three inches. Another basic rule is to never cut more than one-third of the grass blades at a time. For the first mow of the season, set your mower blades high. Gradually lower them with each cut until you achieve the desired height. If you cut the grass too short too fast, it stresses the plant stems. With each mow your grass will improve. It’s sort of like survival of the fittest. The healthiest shoots survive while the weak ones are eliminated.

#3 Safety Tips

Your safety is important. You don’t want to go out to mow your lawn and end up in the ER. We recommend reading the safety tips below before beginning any kind of lawn maintenance.

• First things first, read the owner’s manual if you are using your own lawn mower. I know, I know. It’s boring and may contain unfamiliar jargon but still, it’s important to know how your equipment works.
• Check the lawn for rocks or other debris beforehand. Getting rocks jammed in your lawn mower is not fun for anyone.
• Wear proper clothing. This means heavy shoes and long pants. You want to be covered in order to protect yourself from flying debris. We also recommend avoiding loose clothing as this can get caught on equipment.
• Keep children and pets away. This one seems obvious. You don’t want any distractions and you don’t want anyone getting hurt because they were in your way. Also, don’t let children operate a lawn mower unless they are old enough to handle and understand the operating and safety features of the lawn mower.
• Stop the mower and let the engine cool for 10 minutes before fueling. Also, take the lawn mower off of the lawn in order to prevent oil spills on your lawn. Take it a step further and use a gas can with an adequate pouring spout. In case of spill, clean up immediately and put rag in a covered metal can.
• Never leave the mower running unattended. Let’s be smart. Also please don’t try to work on the mower while the motor is running. If your mower is equipped with a key, remove it when not in use.
• Be careful on slopes. Slopes can be scary because they can cause your mower to flip and lose control. You’ll want to follow your specific mower manufacturer’s instructions for mowing while on a slope.

#4 Don’t Bag It

Don’t bag all that fallen grass. Allow some to stay on the lawn. It works like a fertilizer and helps revitalize the soil. Also, never mow wet grass. Not only will your yard look uneven, but it can cause fungus to develop.

#5 Additional Tips

• Take care of yourself! Protect yourself from the heat and keep hydrated.
• Change the mowing pattern each time you mow. Grass develops a grain based on the direction you cut in. Mixing things up will lead to more upright growth and help you avoid ruts in your lawn.
• Keep your blades sharp and balanced. Your blades will get dull over time so keep them on top of their game! Dull blades can increase the chances of diseases and pests due to ragged cuts so avoid this by regularly sharpening them.
• Wait 3-4 weeks to mow new grass. New grass seeds need more time to get established after germination so give it some time as these seeds are at a tender time in their life. You’ll also need to wait for the grass to be one third higher than the recommended mowing height.
• Watch out for those trees. Trees and lawn mowers don’t really get along. We recommend leaving a ring of grassless soil at least 3 feet wide around the trunk if you have trees in your yard. Mowers can cause severe damage to the tree’s sensitive tissues and restrict their growth, especially while young.

There you have it! An all-in-one list of what we consider the most important tips on how to mow a lawn. So get out there and tackle that lawn! If you would rather not, that’s okay too. That’s why TaskEasy is here. We have professionals on hand ready to help you and we make it incredibly easy. It’s basically a win-win situation for everyone.