Manual reel mowers are powered only by you pushing them, and are an affordable and environmentally-friendly choice for very small, flat lawns. Electric push mowers are quieter and cost less to operate than gas models, but they’re also heavier and more expensive. Corded models in particular are best suited to small lawns (0. 25 acres or less). Gas walk-behind mowers come in both push-propelled and self-propelled varieties. Either is suitable for lawns up to about 0. 5 acres in size. Riding mowers cost more than walk-behind models, but will save you time with most lawns over 0. 5 acres in size. They aren’t safe for use on steep hillsides, though.
You can expect to need to sharpen them 1-2 times per year. You can remove and sharpen the blades yourself with a few tools and some mechanical know-how, or you can search for “lawn mower sharpening near me” to find local pros. Even if your blades don’t seem to need sharpening, inspect them for damage every 3-4 mows, and brush or rinse away any built-up grass debris on the blades and underside of the mower.
Measure from the ground to the bottom of your mower’s mowing deck, then from this point up to your blades. This total equals the mowing height. Look for mowing guides specific to your lawn type, such as https://www. lowes. com/n/how-to/mow-your-lawn-correctly. You can also contact your local agricultural extension program for advice.
You’ll also need to occasionally change the oil and clear the fuel lines, or have a pro do this routine maintenance for you. Consider giving your mower a tune-up once a year at the beginning of spring.
So, if you keep your lawn at 2 inches (5. 1 cm) high, wait until the grass is 3 inches (7. 6 cm) high before mowing it. Check the weather forecast for dry weather as well. Wet grass can clog your mower, make compaction in your yard, and make it too slippery to mow safely. It’s better to mow in the evening after a dry day. This reduces clumping, lawn damage, and heat stress on the grass (and you). So plan accordingly. [5] X Research source
Some mowers can eject rocks or other flying debris at dangerous speeds, so it’s always best to keep other people and pets out of the area.
Put on sunscreen and wear a hat, even on cloudy days or if it’s early or late in the day. Be sure to stay hydrated. Take breaks if you’re mowing a large lawn, feel overheated, or start to feel tired.
Mowing around the perimeter first helps you square off the lawn and gives you room to turn as you mow back in forth in rows. You may want to go around the perimeter twice in order to create an even wider turning area.
If you’d have trouble walking up or down the slope on wet grass, then don’t mow up or down it even if the grass is dry. Manual push-reel mowers are less dangerous than larger and heavier powered models on slopes, but you could still be injured by one if you slip and fall. Instead of mowing a slope, try using a string trimmer, or consider planting or placing something other than grass in that area.
The amount of overlap needed will depend on your mower’s setup. Generally speaking, though, you want to place your wheels (on one side) just over the cut line you created with the previous row. Turning to go back and forth will be easier with a zero-turn-radius mower. Otherwise, pivot on the rear wheel closest to the next row and readjust as needed to get into position.
Don’t leave clumps of cut grass sitting on your lawn, though — this is more likely to happen if you have a dull blade or if the grass is damp. Either bag your clippings or use a rake to spread the clumps out. If you want to reduce your lawn’s thatch, you can use a bag that attaches to your lawnmower to catch the grass clippings. You can add the clippings to your compost pile, use them as mulch, or dispose of them in a curbside trash or composting system.
Instead, consider alternating from north-south to east-west lines with each subsequent mowing session.
However, some people do prefer to trim/edge first, so that the abundant clippings created by doing so can be chopped up and spread out by the mower. This is a viable option, but you’ll spend more time trimming and/or edging than necessary, and these methods tend to be harsher on your grass than mowing — e. g. , it’s easier to cut the grass far too short in spots.
Therefore, a traditional back and forth mowing method will create straight lines that alternate between lighter and darker shades (depending on your viewing angle). To enhance the striping effect by bending the grass more fully, buy a lawn roller and use it to repeat the pattern you just mowed.
Finish the job by going around the perimeter one more time at the end, in order to clean up any irregularities caused by your turns.
For a zig-zag pattern, you have to create a diamond pattern first. You’ll then need to make a repeating series of alternating 90 degree turns each time you mow over 3 diamonds (either light-dark-light or dark-light-dark in shade). This pattern takes some practice, and may be easier if you create a diagram to follow beforehand.
