Mowing is an essential part of any lawn care routine, but if you’re not careful you can wind up doing more harm than good to the grass on your property. Today we’ll look at a few common mowing mistakes homeowners make that leave their lawns looking less than their best.
Bagging Grass Clippings
This practice might seem like an ideal way to clean up your lawn after you mow it, but it also prevents essential nutrients from returning to the soil. Instead of bagging up your grass clippings, allow your mower to mulch them so that they can decompose and fertilize the soil with nutrients like nitrogen.
Mowing in the Same Pattern
Do you mow in the same direction every time you cut the grass? This can cause the turf to become matted and inhibit healthy growth. Try to vary the pattern each time you mow to prevent uneven wear on your lawn.
Removing Too Much at Once
To minimize stress on your grass when you mow, you should never cut more than 1/3 of its total height at once. Shorter clippings will decompose faster and make it easier for your lawn to recover after you mow.
Mowing With Dull Blades
Finally, it’s important to make sure your tools are up to the task. Dull mower blades tend to shred grass blades rather than cutting them cleanly, which can leave them vulnerable to disease. If you’re not comfortable sharpening mower blades yourself, you can have them sharpened by the professionals at your local hardware store or garden supply center.
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