The Basics to Mowing Your Lawn

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MOWING YOUR LAWN FOR HOMEOWNERS

The Beginner's Guide to Lawn Mowing: Tips for a Lush, Healthy Lawn

Maintaining a healthy lawn doesn't have to be complicated. With the right approach to lawn mowing, you can keep your grass looking lush and green all season long. Whether you're a first-time homeowner or just looking to improve your lawn care skills, these basic tips will help you achieve a beautiful lawn that's the envy of the neighborhood.

1. Mow Regularly

One of the most important aspects of lawn care is mowing regularly. Aim to mow your lawn once a week (or as needed) during the growing season. Regular mowing helps to keep your grass healthy and promotes even growth.

A good rule of thumb is to follow “The ⅓ Rule” - Simply put, this means that no more than ⅓ of the grass blade will be taken off in a single mow.  

While this isn’t always achievable, the frequency in which you need to mow will change throughout based on this rule as growth habits change.  

2. Set the Right Mowing Height

The height at which you mow your lawn can have a big impact on its health. For most grass types, a mowing height of around 2.5 to 3.5 inches is ideal. Adjust your mower height accordingly to ensure you're not cutting your grass too short.

3. Maintain Your Mower

A well-maintained mower is essential for a healthy lawn. Keep your mower blades sharp and balanced to ensure a clean cut. Dull blades can tear grass, leading to a dull appearance and increased susceptibility to disease.

To sharpen your blades, you can do this yourself using a flap disk and/or proper equipment - Or, have your blades taken into get sharped at a local authorized dealer.  

When mowing in normal conditions, a good rule of thumb to follow is to sharpen your blades with every 10-20 hours of mowing.  

4. Change Your Mowing Pattern

Changing your mowing pattern regularly can help prevent soil compaction and promote even growth. Instead of mowing in the same direction every time, try mowing horizontally one week and vertically the next.

Added bonus, this will help create some cool patterns in your lawn leaving your neighbors jealous! 

5. Leave Grass Clippings on the Lawn (Where Possible)

Grass clippings can provide valuable nutrients for your lawn and help retain moisture. Consider leaving them on the lawn instead of bagging them. This process, known as grasscycling, can save you time and effort while benefiting your lawn.

Note: There will be mows where this is not ideal.  If you’re mowing your lawn and have to break “The ⅓ Rule”, it is best to bag these clippings to avoid any damage from the clippings sitting on the turf.  

6. Avoid Mowing When Wet

Mowing wet grass can lead to an uneven cut and increase the risk of lawn diseases. Wait until your lawn is dry before mowing to achieve the best results.

By following these simple tips, you can ensure that your lawn remains healthy and beautiful throughout the year. With a little bit of effort and the right approach to lawn care, you can enjoy a lush, green lawn that you can be proud of.

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Learn About Your Soil

Ever question which fertilizer is best for your lawn? How about how much fertilizer to purchase and apply to your lawn? Perhaps your lawn isn’t looking healthy as you want it after the money, work, and effort put into it.

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2

Know Your Surroundings

Knowing your lawn's location and the type of grass it has is crucial for proper care. Simply put, no two lawns are the same. Their location is different, soil type is different, grass type is likely different, and the way they are maintained are likely different.

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3

Measure Your Property

Measuring your lawn is crucial for buying the right amount of products like fertilizer. Here's how to do it easily:

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The Basics of Fertilizing

Adding fertilizers to your lawn care routine is crucial for maintaining plant health and achieving a lush, green lawn. Fertilizers provide essential nutrients that enable proper plant growth and help improve the overall health and appearance of your lawn. In this article, we'll explore the benefits of fertilizing, whether to DIY or hire a professional, steps to fertilizing your lawn, finding the right fertilizer, calculating application rates, using a spreader, when to fertilize, and watering in fertilizer applications.

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5

Get a Thicker, Greener Lawn

Getting a thick, lush, green lawn - When and how to seed your lawn. 

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6

Preventing & Managing Weeds in Your Lawn

Control the weeds in your lawn to enjoy a lush, green lawn again. 

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The Basics to Watering Your Lawn

Water is a required resource needed by all living things, plants included. Similar to humans needing to drink enough water, our lawns and gardens are no different.

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The Basics to Mowing Your Lawn

The Beginner's Guide to Lawn Mowing: Tips for a Lush, Healthy Lawn

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9

The Basics of Dethatching Your Lawn

A lush, green lawn is the pride of any homeowner, but achieving that perfect lawn requires proper care and maintenance. One important aspect of lawn care that is often overlooked is dethatching. Dethatching is the process of removing the layer of dead grass, debris, and organic matter that can accumulate on the surface of your lawn, known as thatch. While a thin layer of thatch is normal and can actually benefit your lawn, too much thatch can prevent water, air, and nutrients from reaching the roots of your grass, leading to a dull, unhealthy lawn. 

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The Basics of Core Aeration

Achieving a healthy, vibrant lawn requires more than just regular mowing and watering. Core aeration is an essential maintenance practice that can greatly benefit your cool-season lawn. Core aeration involves removing small plugs of soil from your lawn, allowing for better air, water, and nutrient penetration to the grassroots. Understanding when and why to aerate your lawn can help you achieve a lush, healthy lawn that's the envy of the neighborhood.

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11

Fall Chores & Managing Leaves

As the vibrant colors of fall foliage begin to fade, homeowners are faced with the annual chore of managing fallen leaves. While it may be tempting to simply rake them up and dispose of them, there are better ways to manage fall leaves that can benefit your cool-season lawn. Properly managing fall leaves can help improve soil health, reduce thatch buildup, and provide valuable nutrients to your lawn.

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