How to Mow Stripes in Your Lawn

Mowing Stripes In Your Lawn for that Ballpark Look.

Have you ever been to a baseball park and looked at wonderment at how they get those stripes in the infield and outfield lawns. For many of us, a green healthy lawn should be enough. However, there are those of us who are looking for the ultimate in lawn looks. That means getting the same look as we have seen at the baseball parks. Here are a few tips on getting that spectacular green lawn and getting the stripes mowed on it correctly.

Prepping Your Lawn for Mowing Stripes
To create a masterpiece you have to have a great canvas to start with. If your looking to get those great looking stripes mowed, you will need to start with healthy, green lawn. Make sure that you have fertilized your lawn well and have over seeded it to promote extra grass growth. This is usually how many professionals will do it for the ballparks. However, one reason to mow stripes in your lawn other than it looks cool, is that stripes cover up a bad lawn. The stripes hide any damage or imperfections in your lawn, so if you don't have a great canvas to work with, don't sweat it.

Cutting Height of the Lawn for Mowing Stripes
A short cut lawn will not allow the stripes to be seen very well. It is best to allow your lawn to grow out to about four inches before mowing. Only mow the lawn down to about three inches long. Every time you mow, use the one-third rule that you never cut more than a third of the length down on your lawn. Cutting more than that and the stripes will not show well.

The Lawn Mower for Mowing Stripes
Because all mowers have wheels and cutting blades, the pattern will not appear unless you use a roller. Professional ballparks use mowers that have rollers attached to the front to smooth out the cut grass. Specialty stores for lawn care will carry them as an add-on accessory to your mower.

How to Cut the Mowing Stripes
The simple principle is that the dark stripe is mowed towards you and the light stripe is mowed away from you. For those who are obsessed with precision, use a tape measure before starting and chalk out the lines before you begin to mow the stripes.