How to Mow Your Lawn
When the summer months roll around, it’s time to get your yard in shape. Even if you’re not a green thumb, mowing your lawn is one of the simplest and fastest ways to make your home look nice and tidy. In this post, we’ll give you step-by-step instructions on how to mow your lawn like a pro.
From selecting the right mower for the job to learning the proper mowing technique, we’ve got all the tips and tricks you need to make quick work of lawn maintenance. Once you’ve gotten the hang of lawn mowing, you’ll be able to enjoy a neat, tidy lawn that’s the envy of the neighborhood.
Tools Needed
Lawn Mower
The most important tool you will need for mowing your lawn is a lawn mower (obviously). There are various types of mowers available, depending on your individual needs and preferences. Push mowers are cost-effective and great for smaller yards, while electric mowers provide convenience with less maintenance and noise. For larger yards or rougher terrain, riding mowers may be the best option.
Gasoline
Depending on the type of lawn mower you have, you will need fuel (usually gasoline or diesel) in order to run it. If you have an electric mower, it will require an electrical outlet and extension cord near your work area to power it.
Oil
All lawnmowers require some type of oil in order to run properly and efficiently. Always check the owner’s manual that came with your lawn mower to determine the type and amount of oil necessary for your specific mower before adding any oil.
Accessories
If needed, you may also want to purchase accessories for your lawn mower such as a dethatcher attachment or side discharge bagger to help make the job easier and more efficient.
Pre-Mowing Steps
Clear Away Debris and Obstructions
Before beginning any mowing task, inspect the area for any debris that could potentially harm the blades or otherwise interfere with your mowing pattern. Remove any debris or obstructions from the area before continuing with your task.
Trim Edges and Any Overhanging Branches
Use a string trimmer or edging shears to trim away any grass that hangs over onto sidewalks, curbs, driveways, or other areas where a lawn mower cannot reach without damaging these surfaces or objects. In addition, inspect any nearby trees or shrubbery for low branches that may get tangled in the blades of your lawn mower as you work.
Prepared the Lawn Mower
Before starting up your lawn mower for use, give it a once-over visual inspection for any damage or wear-and-tear on belts or other parts that may need replacing before use. For gas-powered models, check the gas levels, gas filter, and spark plug before filling with fresh fuel; if you have an electric model, ensure that all connections are secure and functioning properly before plugging into an electrical outlet and powering on your machine.
Mowing the Lawn
Establish a Pattern
As you set off to begin mowing your lawn, establish a pattern that is comfortable and consistent to follow so that you can finish quickly and efficiently without missing any spots; this could be crisscrossing rows, circles, or even straight lines back and forth across your yard—just make sure to leave some overlap between each row to ensure an even cut across all areas of grassy turf.
Move Forward
When operating a lawnmower, it’s best practice to always move forward in one direction until the job is complete; this helps prevent clumping where grass blades bunch up together which can leave unsightly patches throughout the lawn once dried out after cutting (if done incorrectly). Additionally, picking up speed slightly when changing directions can also help prevent clumping since there is less time for grass blades to collect in one spot before getting cut down again by another pass of the blades.
Cut Low and Evenly
When executing passes with your electric mower or other cutting machine, try not to cut too low since this can leave bare patches and promote weed growth in areas where grass blades don’t grow as fast (if at all). Cutting too high can result in long blades of grass which can lay flat during extended periods of rain or heat; aim for heights between 2”-3” for best results overall when it comes to regulating weed growth while still maintaining optimal length without causing bald spots on turf areas due to excessive cutting height reductions during each pass of the blades – use an adjustable handle if possible!
Finishing Touches
Remove Clippings
After completing each pass of your lawnmower over all areas of turf or grass in your yard, remove any remaining clippings that have been collected around objects such as trees or shrubs; this will help avoid having these clippings blown around during windy days which could lead them becoming lodged under patio furniture or decks, etc.
Additionally, collect all trimmings from edging along sidewalks or driveways, etc., if applicable – this should always be done after cutting with either trimmers or shears or lawnmowers as both objects are designed specifically with long grassy areas in mind rather than hard surfaces we may find around our homes!
Edge Walkways and Curbs
Carefully edge along any walkways or curbs surrounding your property with either trimmers or shears– these can help provide cleaner and neat lines along these surfaces while also making sure they don’t get hidden under long grass growth! It’s generally recommended not to use a lawnmower operating too close to these surfaces due to safety concerns as well as potential damage that could occur from hitting them with a blade during operation – using trimmers/shears here is much more accurate when trying to achieve a clean edge.
Collect Clippings and Debris
Once all tasks mentioned above have been completed (including edging), make sure to collect all clippings and debris left behind when finished – this can be done by hand using bags or bins, etc., however using a garden vacuum designed specifically for collecting mulch and grass clippings should make short work of collecting any remaining residue from around the yard which should always be removed after trimming or mowing!
Maintenance
Clean the Lawn Mower
After each use of your electric mower or other gasoline-powered machines, clean off any excess dirt and debris from the blades and body of the machine itself – this can easily be done by removing the air filter and spark plug cover, etc., then wiping down surface areas of a machine with warm water (or appropriate cleanser solution) before reassembling parts back into place and storing away until next use.
Change the Oil
If you own a gasoline-powered machine, periodically check the level of engine oil regularly between uses – if necessary refill the engine to recommended levels so that it runs at peak performance levels without fear of causing damage due to lack thereof (always check manufacturer recommendations before adding anything!)
Sharpen Blades
Blades should also be kept sharpened between uses (again per manufacturer specifications found within user manuals) – not only does this produce better cuts but also reduces wear & tear on motor parts due to longer periods between sharpening sessions.
Store Fuel & Lawn Mower Properly
Finally, when not in use (or between uses), ensure both gasoline and electric-powered machines are stored away indoors in dry environments away from moisture and extreme temperatures – also while fueling up machines outside make sure they are at least 10 feet away from any open flames as fuel vapors can easily be ignited causing potential danger and disasters! Covering your machine with a tarp or a mower cover between long periods of inactivity can help keep dust and debris from damaging your engine, too.
