The most efficient way to mow is the spiral: start from the outside and do the border, spiraling in to 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.
Concentric circles use the same time-saving technique as mowing in stripes: it's all about the turns. Mowing in concentric circles reduces turns and makes the turns wider, so you spend less time maneuvering the mower.
Lawn experts note circling is probably the easiest and most efficient pattern when mowing your lawn. After mowing the edges, just keep making passes in a circular pattern until you make your way to the middle of the yard.
But to prevent turf from developing a one-way grain, it's recommended by research universities that the direction be alternated with each mowing. Must it be diagonally? No. Alternating in a back-and-forth, up-and-down, square checkerboard pattern accomplishes the same.
In an online demonstration a Timecutter, which can can reach ground speeds of seven miles per hour, makes quick work of a field of grass, cutting around several obstacles along the way. But the mowing testers at Consumer Reports say, not so fast. Mowing at a slower speed typically gets better results.
If you maintain a beautifully manicured lawn at a low height, mowing frequently sometimes more than once a week, then you are likely to mow first. You give the lawn a haircut and then you give it that crisp edge to finish it off.
Don't Mow the Same Way Every Time – Alternate the Pattern
Varying the pattern in which you mow will help to allow the blades to grow straighter and healthier. Grass blades tend to grow in the direction in which they are mowed. Alternating the pattern allows the blades to return to a more upright position.
However, if you're mowing longer grass, I strongly recommend mowing in a counterclockwise direction. The clippings discharged from long grass can be substantial, and mowing back over them can interfere with the blades and make it difficult for the mower to do its job correctly.
Additionally, when mowing perpendicular to the hillside, always mow downhill if you have the option. It's always better to go the long-way around and circle around a hill if it means you can avoid mowing uphill. Mowing up a slope puts far greater strain on equipment, and increases the risk of losing traction.
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.
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.
However, most professional gardeners would agree that between 8 AM and 10 AM is the best time of day to cut your grass. The reason for that is that lawns need time to heal before evening. Grass needs the benefit of the day to dry and heal before dusk settles.
The top setting for most mowers gives a cutting height between 3.25 and 4 inches. This is best for your lawn, but at a setting of 4 inches you may sometimes see some “laying-over” of turf blades that some people find undesirable. For this reason, some people prefer to mow at 3 or 3.5 inches.
The first option that comes to mind when needing to mow a slope or hill is usually a push mower. While push mowers are the best options in some situations, that may not always be the case. The versatility of a John Deere lawn tractor or residential mower makes them the best mowers for hills.
Reasons to mow:
To remove browning cool season grasses in the late summer and stimulate the growth of warm season grasses and flowers that provide wildlife food and cover for the remainder of the year.
Cutting in concentric circles is an efficient pattern because all the turns you make are in the same direction. Since turns are more gradual, it's also easier to maneuver your mower. A circular pattern will match the cuts you make around trees and flower beds as well.
Mow Forward
Although you should vary your mowing patterns, you should never mow backward. If you have a push mower with a power drive and try mowing backward without releasing the clutch, you could damage the mower.
Recommended Lawn Mowing Techniques
The way we recommend that you do it is to mow the perimeter first to make sure the grass blades don't spray all over the street or into your garden. Then, mow your lawn back and forth, making one line after another and slowly making progress toward the other edge of the perimeter.
Double cutting can help give your lawn a cleaner and higher quality cut. If your grass has grown just a little bit too tall, mowing once—even if you're following the one-third rule—can rip the blades of grass and cause damage to your lawn.
Clumps of grass clippings shouldn't be left on top of turf. It's best practice to disperse the clumps on the lawn with a fan rake or blower. Excessive clumping may require raking the clumps together, placing them in a lawn waste bag, and removing them.
The grasses will set seed, wildflowers can bloom and provide nectar, and the longer stems will create a sheltered microclimate. Avoid using strimmers too, as they can injure hedgehogs, frogs and insect larvae. If you can resist mowing your lawn until late summer, this will mimic the hay meadows of old.