Mowing with different designs will not only mix up the look of your lawn but, did you know it is also good for the grass? Most mowers are heavy and the typical back and forth or side to side mowing can cause ruts and compress your grass and soil, making it hard for water and air to penetrate. This compaction causes roots of grass to die down and not be as healthy as they should be. Mixing up your mowing can give the ground a rest and breathe new life into your lawn.
How to Mix Up Your Mowing Game
The way you cut the grass can make light and dark lines which create an optical illusion of the lawn being striped. To create the typical striped look, alternate the directions you are mowing on each pass over your lawn being careful to slightly overlap with each pass.
For the checkerboard look you often see at a baseball park, you start with the same initial striping but when the lawn is done, rotate the mower 90-degrees and mow with the striping method again. The finished product will look like your favorite baseball green.
To step up to an even more elaborate look, you can create a diamond pattern. To do this, you start with the initial striping cut, remembering to change directions with each pass. Then, when the area is complete, rotate the mower 45-degrees and mow again following the same back and forth rotation. This will leave your lawn looking like a pro, perfecting a beautiful diamond cut.
Don’t Forget to Sharpen Blades
If your grass looks like it has frayed yellow or brownish tips after mowing, your lawn may also be telling you it’s time to sharpen your blades. This little task should be done two to three times per year. When you inspect your blades, examine to see if there are dents or cracks. These can occur from hitting a rock or a piece of the sidewalk. Having damaged blades can also impact the quality of the mowing so make sure to sharpen or replace blades regularly.
Whether you opt for stripes, checkerboard, or a diamond cut, you are sure to help revive your lawn, one pass at a time. And, while you’re loving the new look, your lawn will remind you when it’s time for a new style when it grows tall enough to no longer see the last pattern cut.
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