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As I am always being told that I am not mowing the lawn the right way by J-Mom, I really started wondering recently whether there is truly a “right” way to mow the lawn. In the past I typically go around the exterior and then work my way into the center. Recently I have tried Diagonal cuts across the lawn and like how it makes the lawn look at the end of the cutting (so maybe I will continue this).
Seeing that I am definitely not an expert on this I decided to do some research on the topic to see if there truly was a right answer to the question or not.
First I started at http://www.dummies.com/WileyCDA/DummiesArticle/id-1840.html for a look at what they thought. In a nutshell they break down proper mowing technique into:
- proper height for grass types - I did not know that you needed to have your blade at a certain height based on whether you had Fescue or Bluegrass, etc…Did you??? Not that I even know what type of grass I actually have…
- Safety in mowing
Second, I visited http://www.allaboutlawns.com/lawn-mowing-mowers/how-to-mow-your-lawn.php and found out a few other tidbets of wisdom:
- Proper balancing of the wheels of the mower is important
- Make sure to empty your bag frequently
- Proper maintenance of your mower will assist in overall running of the mower.
Finally, off to http://home.howstuffworks.com/how-to-mow-your-lawn2.htm which provided even further interesting information:
- Mow in overlapping horizontal or vertical lines to get the most out of your mowing time, never in circles or spirals. (DANG IT…I am mowing the incorrect way…Don’t tell J-Mom that she was right…though she will probably read it here)
- Most experts also advise changing directions every couple of mowings. If you’ve mowed in horizontal lines for a few weeks, change it up and mow in a vertical pattern.
- Mow across hills — never up and down.
- Never pull a push mower, as this also adds to the risk of slipping under the blades.
So this definitely was an interesting venture into the unknown. So my question for you is how do you mow? What practices have you found to be best in your household?
trysh, Crafting July 11, 2008 9:44 pm
Easy for me - I don’t mow at all!
But…..there was a time when I did - with my son’s riding lawnmower (I had an acre), and I did the “go around the outside, and move in to the center” type thing..worked for me!
sjoukes, Women July 12, 2008 4:29 am
I’m sorry to say I don’t have this problem ..no garden..any old lawn would be nice lol
MileHiDad, Dads July 12, 2008 8:34 am
The best way to cut grass is the way you do it, because you are the one actually doing and it’s an artistic expression or extension, OK I’m reaching, sorry.
Maybe, offer to let the peanut gallery commentator show you how it should be done because you need to keep PLH (Perfect Lawn Harmony). What’s PLH you ask? It is where the grass should be cut by the same person start to finish for a wholesome oneness pattern. Next, go get a beer and watch from the shade and when they’re done, say “Oh, nice job, but you missed a spot” because more than likely they did when turning around to go another direction.
A Diagonal crisscross on a two axis grid makes the best checkerboard visual pattern I have found. But that’s just me; it’s all in the eye of the cutter!
-MileHiDad
http://www.milehighdad.com/
Sexy Housewife, Moms July 12, 2008 5:04 pm
The hubby is anal…um…I mean, persistant about the upkeep of our lawn. He insists in mowing in diagonal lines (alternating the direction each week) and it does look nice. I have heard blade hight is important, especially if you are in a dry spell, you should raise your blade and leave the grass a bit longer. Short grass scorches easily.
Frankly, I don’t care how he mows as long as I don’t have to do it.
Maureen, Painting/Drawing July 13, 2008 8:11 pm
I just want hubby to MOW it… dang rain. We have a forest back there right now…
Half-Past Kissin' Time July 13, 2008 8:30 pm
I am like you; I like to change things up, but I always mow the perimeter first. I also mow in all kinds of patterns (it’s so boring otherwise!) Our lawn looks GREAT, regardless, thanks to Mr.4444 doing all the watering, fertilizing, etc.
ourcrookedtree, Moms July 14, 2008 6:43 pm
Best practice for me…get a lawn service to mow the 1.5 acres ☺
I am a fan of diagonal.
Charlie on PA Tpk July 15, 2008 9:40 am
Well, my acre of property has only has grass on the sand mound (that’s the grass on top of the septic tank for those uniformed), and it’s never been ‘a lawn’ but rather a combination of field grass and weeds (one Spring I tried fertilizing with weed-n-feed and there wasn’t anything growing for the rest of the year). The mound is surrounded on three sides by trees, and one side by the house, but no windows overlook it.
So I mow about every 2-3 weeks, in a horizontal pattern. I suppose the lawn experts are right about changing the pattern, but since it’s mostly field grass it’s not really worth the effort.