With a Rebel Yell, She Cried, "MOW, MOW, MOW"

As a landscape contractor, I am often confronted with the title of this article. When are you going to mow the grass? Although we are in the depths of winter right now, this is a great time to start thinking about the upcoming mowing season. The following paragraphs explain the basics of mowing and how this seemingly routine task is so very important to the overall appearance of our lawns. When performed correctly, mowing can instantly wash away many of the deficiencies in a property. On the other hand, incorrect mowing will lead to a disaster of a homes appearance.

It all starts in the garage if you are a do-it-yourself type of mower. Servicing your mower right now will save you headaches and cash in the long run. Most mowers will last for many years with simple routine maintenance prior to the mowing season. I recommend changing the spark plug, oil, and air filter prior to each season. If you have gasoline left in your mower from the fall, that should be drained and disposed of properly. Right now your probably thinking, I've never had problems before. I've done this every year since I bought my mower. Well, you may not have had problems yet, but you will at some point. The life of your mower will be reduced to some degree without the proper maintenance. Once you have serviced your mower, check to make sure everything is running properly. Check safety guards and switches. Also, make sure your blade is sharp and your mowing height is at 3" for your cool season lawns. Lower heights 1.5"-2.0" for your zoysia lawns. If your mower is not working properly, take it in to a reputable company for servicing, or buy a new one. Now is the time for action. In April, the service companies and home centers will be very busy and your pricing will increase. At this time of year, you can generally find deals on used equipment, new equipment, and service rates.

Now your mower is ready and the weather is warmer. When are you going to mow the grass? As soon as the grass starts to think about growing, mow your lawn for the first time. Usually, the end of March is a good time to start. You don't want that first mowing to cut hay because you waited too long. Do not bag the clippings. This is the biggest mistake homeowners make when mowing their lawns. Stay on top of your mowing and allow the clippings to fall back into your lawn. This will provide free fertilizer, as well as, helping boost microbial activity in your soil. As microbes digest the clippings, the nutrients are released into the soil for re-uptake by the plants. This theory doesn't work so well when you leave hay in your yard because you waited too long to mow.

Now that you are mowing every week, it is time sit back and enjoy your lawn. Make sure to sharpen your mower blade a couple of time during the season. We sharpen blades every day to ensure great cuts. Dull blades will leave ragged turf tips leaving a bronze appearance to your lawn. Torn leaf blades also increase the amount of water that is lost through the plant, and leave the plant more susceptible to disease and pest damage. The resulting unhealthy grass will eventually lead to a more draughty plant, weed infestations, and thinner lawn. Keeping a sharp mowing blade is one of the easiest ways to keep your lawn looking great. I recommend homeowners sharpen their blades after 10-20 mowings depending on the size of area being mowed. Use a wheel or angle grinder to sharpen the blade to a relief angle matching the original condition of the new blade. It is also very important to balance the blade after sharpening. Usually, a long screwdriver or nail is good enough to check balance. Simply place the blades mounting hole through the screwdriver and make sure that the blade stays parallel to the ground while holding it in front of you. If the blade rotates down to either side, it is not balanced. You can balance it by grinding off more of the heavy side, or just buy a new blade. An unbalanced blade will not only damage your mower, it can also pose a serious safety hazard to you, your family, and neighbors.

Now you are armed with the basics of mowing. Using the above information will help you eliminate many of the common headaches and safety hazards incurred with mowing your lawn. Check out the some of my other articles on turf health to make sure your lawn is the best in the neighborhood. As always you can email me with any questions, or call Lawns and Landscapes to take the headache completely out of your mowing routine.