Mowing the grass is an essential part of lawn care and maintenance. It not only makes your lawn look beautiful but also helps the grass develop deep roots. However, if you don’t do it the right way, you will turn this simple, fun gardening activity into a strenuous chore, and leave your yard struggling for survival. So, here are some expert, practical tips that will give you a cutting edge and help you trim your lawn like a pro.

1. Mow the Lawn when It’s Dry
Before you begin mowing your lawn, make sure the grass is dry. If you are planning to begin early in the morning, ensure there are no dew drops present. Dry grass will be standing upright and thus, will be easier to cut. Wet grass, on the other hand, tend to fall over and result in an uneven cut. The wet grass clippings are also likely to clump together and clog the mower.
If you must prune the yard when it’s damp, spray some oil on the bottom of your mower so that the grass does not stick on it. Move the mower slowly through the yard, and after you are done cutting, don’t forget to remove the clumps of clippings from the ground.
2. Sharpen Your Mower Blade
With a dull blade, you run the risk of ripping out the grass from the soil. It gives an uneven edge and creates openings in the grass, making them prone to pest attacks. Grass pruned with dull blade turns grayish brown over time as the tips of some leaves dry out. To avoid this, sharpen the mower blade before you get on the job. You can use either a grinding wheel or a mill bastard file for this. It’s also a good idea to buy an extra blade so you always have a sharp blade handy.
3. Change Your Mowing Pattern
Each time you mow your lawn, the grass leans a little in the direction of mowing. So, to keep the grass upright, you should avoid mowing in the same direction every time. Changing your mowing pattern keeps the grass healthy and prevents weeds, ruts and unsightly stripes in your yard. It also brings down the chances of missing spots, and helps create an even surface throughout.
4. Don’t Cut the Grass Too Short
Always keep the one-third rule in mind while mowing your garden. Never cut more than 1/3rd of the grass height at any given time as it can stress the grass and stunt its growth.
The overall trimming height depends upon the type of grass you have. In most cases, don’t go below 3 inches. Scalping the lawn is a big No. It exposes the soil, promotes weed growth, and makes your lawn vulnerable to various pests and diseases.
5. Consider Mulching and Grass Cycling
Consider leaving the grass clippings lying on the lawn. This helps supply the soil with Nitrogen and other nutrients. However, see to it that the clippings are not too long to suffocate the grass. Also, avoid this if you’ve used pesticides or weed control products on the lawn within a year.
If you frequently mow your yard, the clippings would be short and just right for mulching. But for longer clippings, you may have to chop them into smaller pieces. A specialized lawn mower with built-in mulching feature would make grass cycling lot easier for you.
Depending upon the grass type and growth pattern, you may have to trim your yard several times a month. And it’s not as easy as it looks, especially for larger lawns and rough terrains. That’s why most homeowners prefer to leave it to professional service providers like Trevor McClintock, who are better equipped for the job. Right from routine maintenance tasks like watering and mowing to seasonal clean-ups, landscaping, and renovation, you can hire a gardening services company for almost anything related to your lawn.