Mowing for a Better Lawn
Mowers have height adjustments - use them!
- The best all-round lawn mower is a rotary mower – easy to use and good size bag/box
- For small lawns use an electric lawn mower – minimal servicing and light weight
- Medium sized lawns use either electric, battery or a petrol lawn mower
- Large, rough or sloping lawns use a petrol mower – more power for a faster job
- Want to save time? Use a mulching mower – no bag or box to empty!
- If you’re thinking of buying a new lawn mower read Lawn Mowers
How Often to Mow
- When growth is good (usually spring & autumn) mow at least every 7 to 10 days if using a rotary and every 3 to 5 days if using a cylinder mower
- Mow at least every two weeks in dry summers if using a rotary and every week if using a cylinder mower
- THE LAWNSMITH RULE: Never remove more than one third of the grass blade on any one occasion
How High to Cut
- Lawn mowers have height adjustments. You’ve paid for them so use them!
- If you have anything other than an ornamental lawn never mow below ¾” – you’ll damage the grass and promote weeds
- Try mowing non rye lawns at 1” to 1 ½” and rye lawns at 1 ½” to 2”
- If your lawn mower is ‘scalping’ the grass raise the mowing height
- Mow slopes and shady areas higher than sunny areas
- In dry conditions raise the mowing height - the higher the grass the deeper the roots thus improving drought tolerance
- If you have moss in your lawn mow at least ½” above moss height
Mower Cleaning & Maintenance
- Clean the lawn mower after mowing. Grass cuts quicker and better with clean blades
- Sharpen or change the mower blades every year. You wouldn’t shave with a blunt razor would you?
- For petrol lawn mowers change the spark plug ever year. It’ll fire up easier
- For safety remove the spark plug cable before cleaning or maintenance
