A soft, inviting lawn is one of our favourite parts of summer – great for kids, fun for your dog, and a perfect place to lay down a blanket and have a picnic or just read a book. Plus, a well-kept lawn really ratchets up the curb appeal of your home! With that in mind, here are a few of our professional mowing dos and don’ts, to help you achieve the lawn of your dreams.
Blades and bags:
- Do: Have your lawn mower blades sharpened before the mowing season begins and check them once a month. Sharp blades make a clean cut, while dull blades make ragged cuts that don’t heal well.
- Don’t: Use a bag to collect grass clippings. The clippings actually feed and fertilize your lawn as they break down.
Lawn length:
- Do: Cut your lawn “high.” Grass should be trimmed only to about three inches. That little bit of length helps limit weed growth, reduces the need for watering, and promotes strong root structure.
- Don’t: Buzz-cut an overgrown lawn to “get back on schedule.” Instead, cut the grass back in increments, never by more than a third of its current length.
The right time to mow:
- Do: Take any chemical, weather, or moisture changes into consideration before deciding to mow, rather than following a strict schedule.
- Don’t: Cut your lawn obsessively. Like any plant, grass needs time to recover after being cut. Plus, excessive use will only wear out your mower.
- Don’t: Mow your lawn when it’s wet. This causes damage to both your mower blades and your grass.
Extra nutrients make extra green and healthy grass:
- Do: Try an iron supplement! Get the greenest lawn on the block by applying this Iron Chelate.
- Don’t: Bag your leaves in fall. Mowing or mulching leaves into your grass will provide your lawn with a good source of nitrogen, encouraging healthy growth come spring.
These really simple adjustments to your mowing habits can make such a big difference that’s it’s worth it think twice before you fire up the mower! Plus, a well-kept lawn will be a less-enticing place for deer to bed down, and that means less risk of your trees and garden being eaten – see more here.
And of course, there’s that fresh-cut grass smell – enjoy!