Johann Hunt
You want that perfect lawn, so you water, fertilize, and mow. But if you’re still not happy with it, you might be mowing wrong. A few common mistakes can make your lawn look unappealing or unhealthy. Here, we’ll share 15 things you might be doing wrong and how they affect your grass.
Scalping the Lawn
Scalping is when you mow your grass too short. This reduces the amount of grass that can absorb light, and that makes it grow weaker. It’s easier for shorter grass to be affected by heat, and weeds can easily outgrow them. These two things will leave your lawn looking terrible.
Using Dull Mower Blades
Dull blades can’t slice through the grass neatly. Instead, they’ll beat the blades into separation and leave your lawn with rough edges and uneven height. Your lawn may also start to have brown edges. Besides the looks, they also expose your lawn to diseases like powdery mildew and rust.
Cutting Wet Grass
Wet grass can stick together in your mower. After your mower dumps chunks of these grasses on your lawn, they can drain the life out of the parts they fall on. You can also end up with an uneven lawn, as the weight of water will not make all blades stand properly.
Mowing in the Same Direction
The grass tends to grow in the direction you mow, so if you mow your lawn every time, your grass will go that way. You only want your grass to grow upwards, so never mow in the same direction twice. Instead, when you do a new direction, do the opposite next.
Not Mowing When Needed
While mowing according to a routine is a way to stay committed to your lawn, it is better to monitor the growth and mow according to that. There are times when your lawn may grow faster. Cut more often during this period and slow down when it grows slower.
Not Cleaning the Mower Deck
If you don’t clean your deck often, grass and debris can clog it up and restrict airflow, which affects the mower’s performance. Mowing with the deck like this will also give you uneven cuts. It gets even worse if the grass clogging it has some disease because it can spread as you mow.
Mowing with Incorrect Mower Height Settings
The best mowing height really depends on the type of grass you have. Some grasses spread out and do better with shorter cuts, while taller ones need a higher trim. Plus, don’t forget about blade width—thinner blades can be cut shorter without any problems, keeping your lawn healthy.
Not Mulching
You do not have to remove every grass clipping from your lawn after mulching. Leaving some behind will provide nutrients for the soil and reduce the need for other fertilizers. It only becomes a problem in some instances, like when the clippings are too long or wet.
Rushing the Mow
Take your time when mowing, and move slowly across the lawn. If you rush, the mower might miss grass blades that aren’t standing tall, resulting in an uneven cut. Just go at a pace that lets the mower catch all the blades for a cleaner look.
Letting Grass Grow Too Long
The best time to mow your lawn is before it gets too long, as it’s less stressful for the grass. If you let it overgrow, the clippings can pile up and block sunlight and water. Plus, cutting too much at once isn’t good for your lawn.
Cutting More Than One-Third of Grass
Do you know the one-third rule? It says you shouldn’t cut more than one-third of your grass at once. Mowing is stressful for your lawn, and cutting more than 33% of its height may affect its health. Sticking to the rule allows your grass to recover quickly from the cut.
Ignoring Edges and Hard-to-Reach Areas
It’s common to miss tricky areas like flowerbeds, trees, and fences while mowing. To achieve a perfect lawn, you need to spend extra time and attention in these spots. For places where your mower can’t fit, using trimmers or edgers is a great way to keep everything looking sharp.
Mowing in the Heat of the Day
If your plan for the day puts mowing in the afternoon, you should reconsider. Heat can cause your lawn to lose moisture, which isn’t good for its health and may result in brownness. Considering that you want to mow slowly, you should do it earlier in the day.
Not Maintaining Your Mower
You don’t want your mower to be in bad condition, so maintain it regularly. During maintenance, one thing to look out for is the deck, which, if not aligned well, will leave you with uneven cuts. Regular maintenance makes your mower last longer, so you’ll always have it available when needed.
Not Allowing the Grass to Recover After Mowing
For your lawn to be in top condition, give it time to recover after each mowing. This may mean patience if you have a tall lawn and must keep cutting one-third until it reaches the perfect height. If you mow it too frequently, it may start to change color.