Guys, we did it! We made it through another winter, second winter, and third winter. Now that the Buffalo weather has (finally) turned more seasonable and the sounds of our complaints about the temperature have been replaced with the familiar whine of lawnmowers.
Many of us just learned to mow from our parents and we generally head outside early on the weekends when the grass is long and we have time. But did you know that you could be mowing in ways that could be hurting your lawn?
Check out these five tips to ensure that you’re using the best practices in lawn care for your Western New York Home.
Set Your Mower on High - This is actually 1b, 1a is knowing what type of grass you’re working with, if you’re not sure reach out to us and we should be able to help determine that. Setting your mower to the highest preferred setting for your grass type will ensure that you’re only cutting the top 1/3 of your grass. While this does mean more frequent mows, it also means your grass will be healthier. As an added bonus, longer grass is easier on your feet, blocks weed from growing, and helps to cushion any falls the kids might take.
Leave Grass Clippings in the Lawn - If you aren’t using any chemicals on your lawn (weed controllers) it’s best to leave your clippings in the lawn. Seriously, grass clippings decompose quickly and return nutrients to the soil, so long as you’re mowing frequently enough to keep your grass healthy, your clippings will remain small and avoid smothering grass growth. If leaving your clippings isn’t your style and you hate this advice, just do yourself a favor and toss them in the garden as mulch, or compost them. (But again, only if you don’t use weed control products.)
Wait Until It’s Dry - We’ve all been there, it’s a nice cool Saturday morning and you want to get a start on the weekend chores. But, the best time of the day to mow is actually in the early evening, when the lawn is dry and the midday sun is less intense. Mowing now will help your grass recover before the next afternoon’s heat arrives and ensure that your grass is more evenly cut, and you don’t deal with clogged mowers and heavy trimmings. (Which aren’t fun for you, your lawnmower, or your grass.)
Change Your Mowing Pattern - Consistency is usually the key to success, except in this instance. Not only is changing up your mowing pattern good for your own experience but if you’re consistently mowing in the same direction, your grass will eventually begin to lean that way.
Keep Your Blades Sharp - Have you ever shaved with a dull razor? When you mow with dull blades, you’re causing similar damage to your grass. Dull blades tend to tear up grass and can lead to ragged, brown edges. Even worse, repeatedly mowing with a dull blade can make your lawn more susceptible to insect and heat damage. Ensuring you’re mower is tuned up will help it run better and that your blade is making clean cuts. It’s also important to wash your mower after each use to help keep it in tip-top shape.
If you’ve checked out all our tips and decided that mowing the lawn just isn’t for you, or you’re feeling overwhelmed about where to start on your yard, give us a call and we’ll help get you headed in the right direction.