14 Lawn Mowing Mistakes Everyone Makes

14 Lawn Mowing Mistakes Lawn Mowing Mistakes Everyone Makes Everyone Makes (And How To Fix Them)

1. Buying the wrong mower 1. Buying the wrong mower When shopping for the right mower , consider the size of your lawn, the terrain, and how many trees you need to maneuver around. When shopping for the right mower , consider the size of your lawn, the terrain, and how many trees you need to maneuver around.

2. Running the mower at half speed 2. Running the mower at half speed Every tractor has an optimal blade speed, and hitting a higher RPM means you’ll get an even better cut. Every tractor has an optimal blade speed, and hitting a higher RPM means you’ll get an even better cut.

3. Mowing too quickly 3. Mowing too quickly Take your time to ensure you get a clean, even cut. Take your time to ensure you get a clean, even cut.

4. Using dull blades 4. Using dull blades Jagged, and torn grass is a sign the blades need to be sharpened . Jagged, and torn grass is a sign the blades need to be sharpened .

5. Cutting the grass while it’s wet 5. Cutting the grass while it’s wet Not only is it unsafe to operate heavy machinery on a slick surface, but damp clippings are also likely to stick to, and clog, your mower. Not only is it unsafe to operate heavy machinery on a slick surface, but damp clippings are also likely to stick to, and clog, your mower.

6. Not mowing often enough 6. Not mowing often enough For the strongest, healthiest grass, you’ll want to cut no more than 1/3 off the top each time you mow. For the strongest, healthiest grass, you’ll want to cut no more than 1/3 off the top each time you mow.

7. Cutting grass too short 7. Cutting grass too short Known as “scalping the lawn,” a super short cut makes the yard more prone to weeds, and forces the grass to focus on regrowing its blades rather than deepening its roots. Known as “scalping the lawn,” a super short cut makes the yard more prone to weeds, and forces the grass to focus on regrowing its blades rather than deepening its roots.

8. Sticking to a rigid schedule 8. Sticking to a rigid schedule In the spring and summer, grass grows quickly and needs to be trimmed more often . In the spring and summer, grass grows quickly and needs to be trimmed more often .

9. Mowing in the same pattern every time 9. Mowing in the same pattern every time When you follow the same path every time you mow the lawn, the grass begins to grow in the direction it’s being cut. When you follow the same path every time you mow the lawn, the grass begins to grow in the direction it’s being cut.

10. Cleaning up the clippings 10. Cleaning up the clippings Leaving the clipping on the ground will decompose quickly and provide beneficial nutrients to the soil. Leaving the clipping on the ground will decompose quickly and provide beneficial nutrients to the soil.

11. Not cleaning the mower 11. Not cleaning the mower Not only do clippings block proper airflow necessary for mulching or bagging clippings, but moisture and fertilizer traces can corrode the deck of the mower, causing premature rust and wear. Not only do clippings block proper airflow necessary for mulching or bagging clippings, but moisture and fertilizer traces can corrode the deck of the mower, causing premature rust and wear.

12. Ignoring the maintenance manual 12. Ignoring the maintenance manual Consult the product manual to determine how often you need to change the oil and filters. Consult the product manual to determine how often you need to change the oil and filters.

13. Improper mower storage during the off season 13. Improper mower storage during the off season Add fuel stabilizer to the tank and run the mower for 10 to 15 minutes to circulate the stabilizer before you stow it away for the season. Add fuel stabilizer to the tank and run the mower for 10 to 15 minutes to circulate the stabilizer before you stow it away for the season.

14. Ignoring safety protocol 14. Ignoring safety protocol Be sure the discharge chute is properly attached to the mower, too, so debris doesn’t fly up and hit you. Be sure the discharge chute is properly attached to the mower, too, so debris doesn’t fly up and hit you.

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