Greenkeepers' general rule of thumb is to “never remove more than one-third of the leaf length per mow”. Reduce the height gradually until the leaf length is at the height most suitable to your lawn type. Allowing your lawn to become too long can cause diseases to thrive in the damp canopy at the base of the leaf.
That means: Never cutting your grass lower than 3 inches for a lawn in sun and 3.5 inches for lawns in shade. Scalp the grass and weeds will win.
Basically, the standard for lawn care etiquette is not to mow before the typical breakfast time and do your best to stop mowing before the typical dinner time. Sound ordinances can vary all over, but the general time frame is usually from 9am to 6pm on weekdays and 10am to 6pm on weekends.
For a good-looking, weed-free, well-hydrated lawn, allow your grass to reach 3.5- to 4.5- inches in height before each mow.
Known widely as the One Third Rule, lawn grasses should only be brought down each mowing – as the name suggests – by one third of the leaf height at any one time, in order to maintain peak condition.
Some people find that by trimming the edges first you are able to mow over the cut grass from the edges, which will leave the lawn clean of debris when finished. But if you don't mind blowing these trimmings away afterwards, then it doesn't really matter. In some cases, we have seen people edge first.
Regardless of the mowing height never leave your lawn more than 10 to 14 days between cuts. If you have a lawn mowing service coming every two weeks just ask them to raise the mowing height so that you stay as close to the one third rule as possible.
Mowing your lawn will vary from season to season and your location, but generally mowing every second week in summer and every 2–5 weeks from autumn through winter will be enough. Spring mowing will vary due to rainfall levels and sunny days, so watch it closely and cut as required.
It's best to wait for wet grass to dry before mowing. Wet grass clippings can clog your mower, causing it to choke and spit out clumps of wet grass that could smother and kill your lawn if left unraked. It's best to wait for wet grass to dry before mowing.
To minimize disturbance and maximize efficiency, the best time to mow your lawn is in the morning, around 8am to 10am. This way, it's not too hot for physical exertion, and it's late enough that the morning dew has dried.
The time restrictions vary per state, but generally, the use of a lawn mower and other powered garden tools is allowed from 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM from Monday to Saturday, and 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM on Sundays and public holidays. Check your council restrictions to see your local guidelines, or see below.
For a healthy, beautiful lawn, it's important to mow properly. That means mowing before rain, so that the clippings can act as a mulch to protect the soil; and after rain, so that the blades are less likely to tear. It also means avoiding scalping, which can damage the grass and leave it vulnerable to disease.
7: Don't Cut Wet Grass
When moisture from rain or the morning dew weighs grass down, the blades bend, making a straight cut difficult. You also can slip on wet grass, and the clippings tend to clump and not spread evenly. In addition, disease can spread quickly when you mow wet grass.
The “stripes” that you see on a lawn or athletic field are caused by light reflecting off the blades of grass. They have not been cut at different heights nor are there two different breeds of grass. The “stripes” are made by bending the blades of grass in different directions.
If you mow first, you'll have a much easier time manoeuvering around obstacles like trees and flower beds. However, whipper snipping first will give you a neater edge and make it easier to get straight lines.
If you love your lawn and want it to look like a bowling green then mowing 2-3 times per week could be in order. For a manicured look, keep it cut at about 8mm, preferably using a reel type roller mower. For those who are not as hard core, then mowing less frequently would be in order – say every 7-10 days.
It's important not to cut too much of your grass at once or else it can damage your lawn and inhibit the growth of your grass' roots. Never cut more than a third of your grass' length in one session or day. It is best to wait at least a day or two between mowings.
As a general rule, your lawn should never look worse after you mow it, then it did before you mowed it. If it does look worse after mowing, like the left side of the picture below, chances are you're either cutting too much off at once, or mowing with a dull blade. Mowing properly can help your lawn look terrific.
Change the mowing pattern each time you mow. Grass develops a grain based on your cutting direction, tending to lean towards the direction you mow. Alternating your mowing pattern causes upright growth and prevents ruts from growing in the lawn.
Lawn Mowing Pattern: Rows
Mowing in rows is one of the fastest, most efficient way to cut your lawn. The size and shape of your yard plays a part in what direction the rows should go. If your yard is more wide, mow in horizontal rows to cover the longest part of your lawn with the least amount of turns.
If you notice lines in your lawn after you mow it, you should check to ensure that your blades are sufficiently sharp for cutting. To make sure that your blades are suitable, you should sharpen them between once and twice per season. Oh, and by the way, blunt blades can cause other problems, too.
Monday to Saturday – not before 6.30am or after 6.30pm. Sundays and Public Holidays – no building work permitted.