6 lawn mowing mistakes to avoid

Are you having trouble getting a green, lush lawn? You may be committing some lawn mowing sins that are putting unnecessary stress on your grass, preventing it from becoming the beautiful emerald carpet you’re looking for. Here are six lawn-mowing mistakes to avoid this summer.

1. Mowing too often As you try to keep your lawn looking manicured, you may be mowing your grass too often and doing more harm than good. Grass grows the most in the spring and fall, and during the summer you should seldom have to mow more than once a week, depending on the weather.

As a rule, mow it often enough that you only need to cut one-third of the height of the grass to keep it at its ideal length. For Kentucky Bluegrass — the most common lawn variety in Ontario — the optimal lawn height is about nine centimetres (31⁄2 inches).

2. Cutting the grass too short You may want your lawn to look like a golf green, but cutting your grass too short is the number one mowing faux pas homeowners make. Cutting off more than the recommended one-third of the height can result in scalping and unhealthy grass. Grass that’s cut too short has trouble developing roots and makes your lawn more susceptible to weeds and pests.

3. Mowing when it’s wet Avoid mowing the grass while it’s covered in morning dew or just after a rain. Mowing when things are wet creates an uneven lawn because the grass sticks together, the mowing blades miss the grass pressed down by the wheels, and the clippings clog up your mower and create piles on the lawn that block sunlight.

4. Mow the same way every time Grass will grow in the direction in which it’s mowed, so alternating your mowing patterns allows your grass to grow straighter and healthier. You’ll also avoid creating ruts in your lawn from the mower wheels.

5. Mowing with dull blades Dull mower blades rip the grass apart instead of making sharp, clean cuts. Mowing with dull blades results in grass with torn, frayed and brown tips. Get your mower blades sharpened every couple of months, or at least once a year.

6. Bagging your clippings Mulching your grass clipping has many benefits for your lawn. The mulch acts as a natural fertilizer, providing essential nutrients and vital nitrogen to the soil. Install a mulching attachment to your lawn mower and say goodbye to bags.

Lawn mowers and turf equipment in Toronto the GTA

At Hitch City, our expertise extends well beyond truck accessories and towing hitches. Our selection of turf equipment and lawn mowers is second to none, with zero-turn, walk-behind, stand-on and riding lawn mowers. Contact us today to learn more about our lawn mowers and turf and grounds care equipment.