3 Most Efficient Mowing Pattern – How To Mow your Lawn Properly

Last Updated on February 3, 2022 by Mark Brian

You want your lawn to look nice, but you don’t want to spend a lot of time trimming it. When it comes to lawn management, there is an adjusted and off-base method for cutting the grass.

One of the most important factors in how long it takes you to trim your lawn is the plan you follow. There are a few methods that are more intriguing than others, and the way you trim your grass might affect how it appears. While cutting a basic rectangle or circle is simple, many private gardens have unusual forms and obstructions that necessitate a more complicated cutting technique.

Dan Larremore writes:

I think that no matter which pattern you mow in, when you’re walking with the mower, you’re going the same speed. Therefore, it all comes down to the turns. So, think about a rectangular patch of grass. I propose the following — David’s Lawn Mowing Efficiency Hierarchy

1. The most efficient way to mow is the spiral: start from the outside and do the border, spiraling into the middle.
2. Next, you have the long stripes: mow the long edge-the length of the rectangle-and then U-turn, and go back forth, striping the turf till you’re done.
3. Next, the short stripes: same as long stripes, but this time you’re going back and forth across the short distance.
4. Finally, the diagonal stripes: make strips starting at one corner, and going back and forth across the diagonal of the rectangle. Aesthetically, you’re going to want to dial these one to 45 degrees.

Get The Edges First:

To begin, keep an eye out for your yard’s margins. To do this, Cardinal Gardens, an Ohio-based full-service grass and grow business, suggests making two rounds around the outer boundaries (three in the event that your yard is encompassed by a fence). If you’re doing this for the first time, you’ll have more area to spin the mower around, which will make the job go faster and with less effort.

1. Circular Mowing Pattern:

After mowing your grass in stripes or lines, concentric circles are the next most appealing method. Depending on the form of your lawn, this may be more fruitful. Concentric circles save time in the same manner as cutting in stripes does: they’re practically all turns.

Cutting in concentric circles shortens and lengthens the turns, allowing you to spend less time watching the mower. Concentric circles are ideal for gardens with irregular forms or as part of a boundary, such as trees or subdivisions.

Cutting in circles allows you to maneuver around obstacles while maintaining a consistent cutting pattern.

2. The Double Edges:

While the double spiral may appear to be a difficult figure skating technique, it is actually a very basic and effective cutting technique.

(Disclaimer: This might be a figure skating maneuver, as well.) We’re turf pros, not figure skaters).

The double spiral is similar to concentric circles, but with one key difference: you won’t get trapped in the middle of freshly cut grass.

For the grass care enthusiast, walking across freshly cut grass might be a massive no-no. While many property owners may not be aware, it might be a huge no-no for the lawn care professional. To avoid this, use the twofold winding.

Working in concentric circles, begin with one corner of your lawn and work your way to the middle. As you proceed, remove a full mower-width between your circles. When you approach the middle, do an S-shaped turn to return in the opposite direction.

Cut the uncut circles in a looping pattern back toward the edge of your grass. You should finish in the opposite corner of your lawn from where you started, without having to step on your freshly-kept emerald carpet.

3. Mowing in Strips:

The vast majority of families are already utilizing the most fundamental and effective weight reduction strategy. Striped cutting is ideal for rectangular gardens. If you follow this tried-and-true style, there are a number of suggestions that may help you be more successful and provide a better-looking garden.

To begin, much like Olympic swimmers or baseball players changing bases, the majority of your proficiency is determined by your turn approach. The ideal cutter turnaround is quick and efficient, using very little energy to complete the circle.

Stripe mowing may be quite efficient, but only if your lines are straight. Wiggly lines are a definite way to lose efficiency, and they can also leave unmowed areas between uneven stripes. Because a crooked line from one side of your lawn to the other is far longer than a straight line, every swerve adds distance to your mowing routine.

Start your design parallel to a straight line in your landscape, such as the edge of a sidewalk or driveway, to achieve a straight line. Expert’s advocate preserving a straight line by gazing approximately 10 feet ahead of you rather than directly in front of the mower as you continue cutting each line parallel to the last.

Do Not Bag the Clippings:

You may save time by skipping the bagging: It’s just not the most effective approach to mow your lawn to spend additional time bagging your clippings.

It’s not exactly a sight to behold: The clippings won’t be thick enough to suffocate your lawn or form ugly mounds if you mow regularly once a week should be enough. If your clippings are building up, you should definitely mow more frequently.

It’s beneficial to your yard! All of that grass you cut is chock-full of vital nutrients taken from the earth as it grew. Many of those nutrients are restored to the soil when you let the clippings organically decompose on your lawn. A thin covering of clippings may also insulate and shade your soil, keeping moisture in and keeping your roots at a consistent temperature.

Helpful Tips to Mow Your Lawn Properly:

When it’s time to mow, Scotts, a lawn care business, recommends simply cutting off the top third of the grass blades at a time. This will assist grass blades in developing a deeper root system that will allow them to access water and nutrients in the soil.

Early evening is the greatest time to mow since the grass is generally dry and the sun isn’t as strong, giving your lawn time to recuperate before the next day’s heat. Make safety a top priority by following these top ten mowing safety guidelines.

Finally, maintain the blade on your lawn mower sharp and leave grass clippings on the ground. The clippings will enrich the soil with essential nutrients. This is why it’s a good idea to leave grass clippings in your yard.

Happy Mowing to You!