Useful Tips for Mowing Your Lawn

When it’s time to cut the grass in your yard, there are certain techniques that you should always implement.  As easy as it may seem, mowing may not necessarily produce the results you’re looking for if you don’t do it properly.  In fact, it can even create damage, not only to your yard, but also to you and your equipment.  It is important to keep safety in mind and to use your lawn mower properly to ensure a smooth, beautiful finish.

Here are some tips to maximize the quality and effectiveness of your lawn mowing…

• Invest in good mowing equipment…and be sure you understand how to use it.  It takes a few times to become familiar with a new lawn mower, so be diligent and keep your mowing path free of obstacles.
• When mowing, as a safety precaution, do not allow your children or pets to play within the area you’ll be mowing.  Also, don’t let children operate a lawn mower unless they’re strong enough, responsible, and understand all the operating and safety features of the machine. Even then, supervise them. Never give a young child a ride on a ride-on mower. Sudden stops, flying objects, or an excited child can spell disaster.
• When mowing, only remove one-third of the leaf blade.  Cutting more risks scalping or damaging the plant.
• Wear proper clothing that covers as much of your skin as possible and that will not get caught in the machine.  Use earplugs or earmuffs to protect your hearing.
• Only mow when the grass is dry.  This will prevent clumping and also minimize the spread of disease, which thrives in moisture, throughout the grass.
• To encourage accelerated growth, mow the lawn once a week, except during an extended drought or other extreme weather conditions.
• Mow the lawn in different directions to prevent wear patterns.  This encourages upright growth and produces a nice striping effect.
• Determine the height of cut that best allows the grass to thrive and store energy and water.
• Keep your blades sharp.  Torn ragged tips will not cut your grass as well, and that will result in you having to put in more time and effort than is necessary to achieve your desired results.
• If clumping occurs, loosen and disperse the clumps with a rake or blower.
• If you prefer to collect your clippings, start a compost pile. Use compost as a lawn top-dressing.
• Mow along the outside edge of your lawn first, then mow the inside in straight lines, finishing with one more “clean-up” lap around the border.
• When mowing a sloped area, if you’re using a push mower, always mow across the slope, not up and down, to prevent accidents. If you’re using a riding mower, then you must mow up and down the slope to prevent the riding lawnmower from tipping over.
• If grass clogs the blades or discharge chute of a power lawnmower and the engine starts to sputter, turn off the engine and make sure the blades have stopped rotating before carefully raising the lawnmower to remove the debris.
• Be careful when fueling. Be sure the engine is turned off and let it cool for 10 minutes before you begin. Never fill the tank while the machine is on the lawn, as spills can damage your grass.  Pouring spouts are a great way to avoid spills, but if it happens, clean up the gas immediately and put the used rags in a covered metal can (gasoline-soaked rags are a fire hazard).
• Never leave the mower running unattended, and be sure it is turned off before you make repairs or cross non-grassy areas.

Jennifer Fields
Oklahoma City & Edmond Real Estate Agent
405.330.0031