Mowing the Lawn with a Push Mower - a Woman's Guide

Some women think that mowing the lawn is considered a man's job, but what if you don't have one around and can't afford a lawn maintenance service? You do it yourself. Here are a few no-nonsense tips from someone with hours behind a push mower.

Weather or Not

If it rained recently or the grass is still wet from the morning dew, put off mowing until the lawn is drier. Wet grass tends to get pushed down by the mower rather than cut, and it clogs the mower, making it less effective. Waiting a few hours will mean less time spent going over uneven spots, and fewer stops to clean wet grass from the discharge area. If more wet weather is on the horizon and you can't put it off, mow at a much slower speed than normal for best results.

The same holds true for tall grass that gets pushed down rather than cut -- going slower may seem like it takes more time, but it'll save you from having to make two swipes over every spot.

Walk the Line

Before heading out with the mower, walk through the area and remove any sticks or rocks so that you don't risk injury from them being tossed by the spinning lawnmower blade. If you (or your neighbors) have pets, it's also a good idea to remove any presents they may have left behind to avoid creating even more of a mess.

Fashion Statement for Safety

While strappy sandals or flip flops might be cool around the pool, closed-toe shoes are a must when performing lawn maintenance. A ball-cap, sun visor or floppy hat might be sufficient to shield your eyes from harmful rays, but add either sunglasses or safety glasses to protect them from flying debris.

Ladies, Start Your Engines

Before pulling the handle to start a gas powered mower, you will need to prime it or pull the choke, depending on the type of mower. Look for a small rubber bulb at the top or side of your mower's engine, and push it 3-4 times to prime it. Other models will have a lever, usually near the handle, that you need to pull out slightly before starting the mower. Once it catches, let the engine run for just a few seconds, then push the choke back in and you're off.

Check Under the Hood

Even when mowing dry grass, it's inevitable that some will get stuck underneath and clog things up. While mowing, keep an eye on the discharge area and make sure that grass is flying out of there freely. If it's not, you'll need to clear it out so that it doesn't impede free movement of the cutting blade. Stop the mower and after making sure no blade is turning, reach into the discharge area and grab the grass that's clogging the opening. You'll need to do this more often if the grass is tall or damp.

Even with the discharge area free of grass, more will collect on the underside of the mower where it's pushed into the corners by the centrifugal force of the spinning blade. Turn the mower over and look for masses of what looks like cardboard smashed on the outer perimeter of the undercarriage. Using your fingers or a stick, pry the matted grass from the mower so that the blade can turn freely.

Note: Turning the mower over will likely flood the engine, so don't panic if it doesn't start again immediately. Set it upright and use that few moments for a pit stop to grab a potty break and cool drink. The mower should be ready for the next lap when you get back from your break.

Take the Checkered Flag

Whether your first time behind the wheel or a veteran driver, it's always nice to see the fruits of your labors. Settle into a lawn chair to survey your masterpiece, then take a bow at having done the job on our own. Men - who needs 'em?