A Basic Guide to Proper Mowing Techniques

Mowing the right way is one of the keys to maintaining a lush, healthy and well-groomed lawn.

Mowing is a quick, easy and effective way to keep lawn growth under control and to create a tidy, attractive garden. Done properly, mowing promotes new growth and helps to keep the lawn healthy.

Lawn mowing is a basic procedure requiring little expertise. The mower's blades should be kept sharp enough to cut the grass without tearing it. Torn grass is susceptible to disease and will struggle to grow back.

For the kindest cut, cut one-third or less of the grass blades' length. Cutting more can contribute to thatch build-up. Large clippings can also build up, preventing precious nutrients and air from reaching the roots of the grass.

Rake up long clippings, as they can block sun and water. Mulching mowers cut grass into tiny pieces and blow them down to the roots.

Cut your grass more often in spring as its growth is more rapid. In summer, let the grass grow taller than normal so that the added height will shade the roots and conserve moisture.

Never mow your lawn when it is wet. The blades of grass will easily tear and the wet clippings can also foster fungal diseases.

What type of mower should you use? Well it comes down to personal choice.

• Standard power mowers powered by petrol or electricity have rotary blades which cut the tops of grass. These are usually fitted with a catcher to collect the clippings which can then be composted.

• Mulching mowers have special blades that recycle the cuttings until they are finely cut and then blow them down to the roots adding beneficial nutrients.

• Push mowers are of course environmentally friendly. The whirling blades cut the grass more cleanly, but require a lot more effort. The lawn may also need to be raked afterwards to collect the clippings to prevent thatching.

• Mulching kits are available to convert your conventional mower into a mulching mower. These usually consist of an additional set of special blades and need to be installed by your mower service center or supplier.

A BASIC POWER MOWING ROUTINE:

• Firstly clear the lawn of rocks, toys and other objects. Small objects can be flung by the mower, and larger obstacles can damage the rotary blades.

• Set the mower height to the recommended height for your lawn. In summer, set the mower height slightly higher than recommended.

• Start the mower and push steadily in a straight line, edge to edge. Return with the wheels lined up on the inside of the first pass. Continue in this fashion.

• After mowing, clean the undercarriage and the blades of the mower with a strong spray from a hose. Let the mower dry before storing.

MOWING FOR PATTERNS:

You can easily crate subtle, decorative patterns in your lawn by simply establishing a certain mowing routine. Creating mowing patterns is a matter of training the grass to grow in one direction or another. By mowing in the same direction each time, you train the grain of the grass to grow in that particular direction.

• A simple pattern of lines can be created by mowing rows in the same direction every time. Create an interesting checkerboard pattern by mowing the entire your as you would for a striped pattern, then cross mowing at right angles to the original pattern. This will result in a living checkerboard in different shades of green.

AFTERCARE:

• Part of a complete mowing routine is trimming after you mow. Keep the lawn tidy by cutting the grass at edges around footpaths and other borders.

• Rake up large lawn clippings that were caught or mulched and compost them.

• Water the lawn immediately after mowing, unless you are mowing in the early evening. In that case, wait until morning to water so that you will avoid encouraging fungal diseases.

• If you are using a petrol mower, check the air filter after each use to ensure that it has not become clogged with dirt and debris. Clean or replace the filter if it is clogged.