Mowing & cutting the grass: Tips & tricks

Did you know there’s more to mowing your lawn than just cutting the grass? While the process itself is simple, there are plenty of ways you can make it easier for yourself while also benefiting your lawn. Here are some expert tips to help you get the most of your lawn mowing:

Keep the blades sharp

Making sure the blades of your mower are sharp enough will save you time and effort. With dull grass blades, you might have to make multiple passes over the same portion of the lawn. Sharpening dull blades at the beginning of the season will ensure more efficient mowing.

Check your fuel

If you use a gas powered mower, always check the tank before you start mowing. Running out of fuel in the middle of the lawn is a pain, especially if you don’t have any reserves handy. Keep at least one extra tank’s worth of fuel available to avoid getting stranded.

Sweep for debris

Errant objects and debris can be worse than just a lawn mowing interruption. Getting sticks or rocks in your mower blades can cause serious damage to the mower. Depending on the size of the debris, it can also be a huge safety risk. Before you start mowing, do a careful sweep of the lawn to remove any debris and prevent a mishap.

Adjust your mowing schedule

It can be easy to settle into a regular mowing schedule along with other household chores. However, weather conditions and changing seasons mean you’ll need to adjust to keep your grass healthy. For instance, hot weather means slower growth of cool-season grass varieties, so you can reduce your usual mowing frequency.

Time of day is also important for an optimal mowing pattern. Mow the lawn in the morning or early evening when the weather is cool, but avoid mowing wet grass.

Reuse lawn clippings

If you have a compost pile, make sure to add your grass clippings. Even without composting, grass clippings serve as a free, organic fertilizer for your lawn. Scatter clippings in areas you’ve already mowed for an easy dose of nitrogen and other essential nutrients.

For a healthy lawn, it’s important to do more than simply cut the grass. Keep these lawn care tips in mind to avoid problems and ensure your lawn continues to flourish.