Lawn Mowing Guide: Tips & Tricks

Lawn Mowing Guide: Tips & Tricks to Follow

A cared-for lawn looks great, is pleasant to use in the nice weather, and can be a haven for local wildlife.

But you probably have several questions when it comes to lawn care. When is the best time to mow your lawn? How long should grass be? Should I cut it in a certain way?

Speedy has answered all of these questions below. You can also hire lawnmowers from Speedy as and when they’re needed, which is ideal if you want the best equipment for the job, or don’t have space to store gardening tools.

When using a lawnmower, it is really important to wear the correct PPE. Safety boots are essential, as are gloves. If your lawnmower is petrol powered, you should also wear ear protection.

Wear eye protection if there is a risk of debris in the grass. This includes stones, such as if you have gravel around the grass. Check the lawn for debris and wildlife before cutting.

If using a corded lawnmower, you should also use a residual current device (RCD), which will stop the mower if the cord is cut.

 

• When to Aerate Your Lawn
• How to Mow a Lawn

 

 

1.      When to Mow Your Lawn

Between March and October, lawn mowing should be done fortnightly at the very least.

In summer, at the height of the growing period, you might want to get into the habit of cutting grass weekly. Drop this back to once a fortnight in periods of drought.

Cut flower-rich lawns every four to six weeks and cut long-grassed lawns just once or twice over the summer. Wait until after June for the first cut.

Regular mowing reduces weeds and creates denser turf. However, you might want to partake in No Mow May where you leave your lawn uncut throughout May to encourage wildflowers and weeds. This can boost wildlife and give them some much-needed shelter and food coming out of hibernation.

Mowing over winter is unnecessary; it is unlikely your grass will be growing enough. If the weather is mild and dry, one cut over winter is the most you should do. Keep the grass long, though. Going too short could cause damage, restricting further growth.

Never mow wet or frosty grass. This can cause damage, compact the soil, and it can also be dangerous to use gardening tools in wet weather.

If your lawn is new, wait until it is 5cm long before the first mow, and keep the blades on the highest setting.

 

2.      How Long Should Grass Be Kept?

The great thing about using a lawnmower to cut your grass is that you can adjust the height of the blade on most lawnmowers.

This alters how much grass is cut, and therefore how long the grass is kept.

Just alter the dial or move the lever on the mower. Your lawnmower will have instructions on how to adjust the cutting height.

If you only cut a slight bit off your grass, you might want to mow more frequently.

As a general rule, never remove more than one-third of the grass at any one time. If you’re cutting very long grass, mow a little and often.

The guidelines are:

• Between ½ and 1 inch in summer (1 to 2.5cm)
• 1 ½ inches in spring and autumn (around 4cm)

 

3.      How Can I Get a Striped Lawn?

Football fields, mansion gardens, and National Trust lawns all have one thing in common—a striped finish. But you can achieve this at home, too, without the help of a professional.

You need a lawnmower with a rear roller. Work from one side to the other, in the direction you want the stripes to go. After each row, slightly line up the mower to overlap the last row.

Regularly change the direction of the stripes, so the blades of grass don’t weaken.

 

4.      Lawnmower Tips

When setting up your lawnmower, there are a few things to bear in mind for an easier, cleaner cut:

• Clean and sharpen mower blades before and after every use. Dull blades can damage the grass. This should be done when the lawnmower is off and unplugged. Always wear thick gloves when handling lawnmower blades, and follow the instructions of the make and model
• Avoid scalping the lawn (causing bald patches). This happens if you take corners too quickly, if the cut height is too low, or if you mow in the same direction repeatedly. Vary mow directions, take your time, and ensure your lawnmower height is correct before beginning
• Service your lawnmower regularly. This is unnecessary if you hire from Speedy, as all our gardening equipment is checked and serviced before every hire—just another benefit of hiring!
• Empty the grass collection box frequently. Your lawnmower won’t pick up grass clippings if it can’t take and store them anywhere

 

Explore Lawnmower Hire at Speedy

Speedy Hire, the UK's leading tool hire company, have lawnmowers and other landscape gardening accessories available.

Speedy has more than 200 local service centres across the UK, hire counters in selected B&Qs and nationwide 4-hour delivery.

Why not open a Speedy account today online or visit us in your local depot to start hiring today?

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