If you want to keep your lawn looking great all year round, then one of the most important skills to master is how to mow your grass. If you don’t mow your grass, then people may think you are neglecting your yard – but when you mow it regularly your yard will look great. This guide will teach you how to mow your grass.
Choose a Mower
There are 4 basic types of mower that you can choose from, and each has its own strengths and weaknesses.
First, there are the manual push reel mowers. These are mowers that are fully powered by you. They are quiet and the most environmentally friendly. Not only don’t you have to pay any energy costs, but these are also the cheapest mowers, and you can usually find a good one for less than $100. However, they aren’t as effective on larger yards or for grass that is higher than 2 inches.
The next class of mowers are electric mowers. These are usually pretty lightweight and easy to push, and you can find a good one for less than $200. On the downside, you are constrained by the proximity of an electric outlet. If you have a large yard, you may need multiple extension cords. You also will need to be vigilant not to run over your extension cord with the mower.
Next there are cordless electric mowers. These have many of the advantages of an electric mower, but it is powered by a rechargeable battery rather than a cord. If your yard is big enough, then you may have difficultly cutting all your grass on one charge; but for most yards this isn’t an issue. They are also typically more expensive than a corded electric mower.
Finally, there are gas powered lawn mowers. These are usually the most popular choice amongst homeowners. They are great because they can provide the most power and can cut even the toughest grass. If you have a very large yard, then you might want to consider a riding lawn mower. On the downside, these lawn mowers are by far the noisiest. They also require the most maintenance and can sometimes be difficult to start.
Maintenance
No matter what type of mower you’ve got, some maintenance is required. With a gas powered mower, you will need to make sure the oil is at an appropriate level and that the spark plugs are in good shape. Perhaps the most important part for any mower is that the blades remain sharp. This is especially true if you have a manual push reel mower. Dull blades will make your life significantly harder. Not only will the mower be much more difficult to push, but if often won’t fully cut the grass.
Mowing Tips
When cutting the grass, a good rule of thumb is to never cut more than 1/3 of the height of the grass at any one time. Doing so can cause your grass a lot of stress. For healthier grass, it’s not a good idea to let your yard get out of control and only sporadically mow it. It’s also better to cut your grass when it’s dry rather than wet. When you actually mow your grass, it can be a good idea to vary your cutting pattern. For example, you may want to mow your yard parallel to your home one week, then mow perpendicular to your home the next week, then mow in a diagonal fashion the third week. By rotating through these patterns, you can achieve a uniform look for your yard all year.
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