Mower Etiquette: Cut Your Lawn The Right Way

Of all the lawn care chores you do, no doubt one of the most commonplace is mowing. So, it’s also something that's easily taken for granted. But what's easy to lose track of is that mowing the right way is crucial to maintaining your lawn in the best possible health. Here are a few important things to keep in mind when it’s time to wheel out your mower.

Keeping your mower in good condition is not only the best way to protect your equipment investment; it's also good for your lawn's appearance. Here's why. An engine that's not performing at its peak and a dull mower blade can cause the grass to be ripped and shredded instead of cut cleanly. That leaves mutilated ends on the blades of grass. These ends lose their color and you end up with a lawn that's got a brown appearance. To restore the clean cut and green appearance, have your mower serviced at the end of each season and have the blade sharpened.

Electric mowers, either with a rechargeable battery or with a cord, are quieter and cleaner.  Gas mowers are one of the worst polluters and contributors to greenhouse gas emissions.

The length of your lawn does make a difference in its health. The general rule of thumb is to mow when you're cutting about a third off the length of the grass blades. Generally, you should end up with a lawn that's about 2 inches tall when it’s freshly cut. Grass grows from the crown, rather than the tips, so it’s very important to avoid mowing too close and cutting into the crown.

Frequency of mowing depends to a certain extent on the weather and the type of grasses in your lawn. Once a week is typically about right, but if circumstances, like a well-deserved vacation, put you behind the mowing eight ball, it's usually better to raise the height of your mower when the grass is extra tall, then lower it back to its usual setting over the next couple of weeks. It's also true, however, that a longer lawn can have advantages, such as reduced water usage because of increased water retention, and making it more difficult for weeds to grow. If it’s possible, keep the grass a little shorter when the weather is cool and a little longer when hot.

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