5 Mowing Mistakes That Are Sabotaging Your Lawn

A well-maintained yard can play a big role in achieving good curb appeal and projecting a proud image of your home. However, if you mow your own lawn, you know there’s more to the job than simply fueling up the lawn mower and using the equipment to cut your grass. While lawn mowing may seem straightforward, there are correct and incorrect methods to ensure your time and talents are yielding the top results. We talked with experts for their insight on the best practices to your lawn looking healthy. Be sure to avoid the following mistakes that could be harming your lawn.

Over-mowing

Sure, you get exercise and it’s great to be outdoors getting fresh air, but mowing your lawn too often can be a mistake. “Stop over-mowing your lawn because making your grass too short is actually exposing the roots of your grass, stressing it out and making it more vulnerable to disease,” said Hicks. To that point, Hicks noted that for most grass types, the optimum height is 2-3 inches. 

Using dull blades

Some homeowners may overlook checking to make sure their lawn mower blades are sharp and ready for appropriate cutting. According to the University of Illinois Extension network, utilizing a sharp blade cuts your grass cleanly and gives a more uniform appearance. Put a maintenance check plan in place for your mower, and at the beginning of the season, check the blades, as well as fuel levels and tire pressure to yield the best results.

Not mowing your lawn frequently enough.

Weeds can appear if you're not cutting your grass often enough, said Hicks. “And when you get weeds, they may cause damage to your mower and grass,” she said. A good rule of them is to mow at least once a week, advised Hicks. 

Mowing the grass when it’s wet

If you save your mowing duties for weekends, and the lawn is wet from rain, you may have to re-arrange your lawn-mowing weekend routine. “Mowing wet grass will not only damage your grass, but it can damage your mower,” said Hicks. Plus, fungal diseases also are more likely to spread if you mow the grass when it’s wet, she also said. A better plan is to avoid cutting your grass for around two hours after morning dew or up to two days if the rainfall is significant. 

Mowing in only one direction

Shifting your direction can keep your lawn looking its best and will promote upright grass grown, reported the University of Minnesota Extension department. A recommended approach is to mow at right angles every other time you cut the lawn, and this practice of alternating mowing patterns will prevent continuous scalping and soil compaction, noted the same source. Be sure to keep track of the direction that you mow so you can alternate directions to maintain a healthy lawn.