Mowing a lawn full of weeds is a tiring process but there are always ways to ease the process with smart tips and tricks. Besides cutting overgrown grass and watering plants, there are many other things you have to take care of to mow a lawn like a pro.
If this is something you can relate to, this article breaks down all the steps to turn your weed-filled lawn into a lush, green, and healthy lawn in no time.
From tips, suggestions, solutions, and treatments to mowing ins and outs, we have tried to cover everything that can help mow a lawn full of weeds in the long run.
7-Steps To Mow A Lawn With The Best Lawn Mower
1. Decide When To Wow
Only mowing at the right time can guarantee excellent mowing results that not only look beautiful but also save extra effort.
Although mowing early is a good answer, it’s important to decide a specific time of the month to cut the lawn.
However, mowing every month on the same day improves nutrient absorption and ensures the prevention of weeds from the lawn.
To decide when to mow a lawn, look at the time you last mowed your lawn and choose the next time with a difference of at least 7-10 days depending on the grass growth.
Consider these factors when deciding when to mow a lawn.
- Fertilization Frequency
- Current Season
- Frequency of Watering
- Grass Length
For example, lawns that are fertilized every 2 to 3 months and watered 3 times per week grow a grass length of approximately 2 ½ inches in summers and can be mowed once a week.
However, the conditions here are the ideal conditions for a lawn to grow at its best and get rid of a lawn full of weeds
2. Select The Right Grass Length
If your yard is full of weeds, selecting the right grass length is as important as anything else to chop off the affected area of grass easily.
Depending on the type of grass, choose a cutting height that kills the weed and improves the absorption of nutrients, resulting in a healthy lawn.
For example, cool-seasonal grass works well with a cutting height of 2 1/2 inches, while summer-season grass is often cut 3-3.5 inches high.
The average grass growth rate is 3 2/3 inches high so select a grass length of around 3 inches to cut the grass till 1/3 rd. However, this will ensure a deeper root system to allow maximum water to seep through the roots and avoid weeds.
3. Start Mowing
Once you’ve learned the basics, grab up all the equipment to start mowing at a smooth pace. Depending on your requirements, choose the best type of mower that cuts well and lasts longer.
Next, set the cutting height, adjust the speed and start the lawn mower to mow smoothly all across the yard.
4 Things to Check Before Mowing the Lawn
1. Before you start the lawnmower, check the oil levels of the engine by dipping a dipstick in the engine. Make sure the engine is not hot while you check the oil levels so you don’t get hurt.
2. To prevent accidents, clean lawn objects, toys, and heavy stones so that you don’t trip over with your lawn mower.
3. If it’s your first time mowing the lawn, wear safe and protective gear like pants, gloves, helmets, and protective eyewear.
While for others, you may have the option to at least maintain a distance from your mower and mow with someone.
4. To ensure precise cutting, sharpen your blade before cutting as well-trimmed grass is likely to last longer and be safe from weeds.
5. Always look for a lawn mower with a bagger to avoid the hassle of cleaning the lawn manually.
5 Tips To Mowing Lawn Full Of Weeds
- To mow an irregular-shaped lawn, lower the mower’s speed and push the mower in a specific direction.
- To mow a lawn with stripes, start with a straight line and move the mower in back-and-forth directions.
- To mow around the corner, use a trimmer to trim off the edges and save the extra effort from mowing.
4. Choose A Mowing Pattern
Creating lawn mowing patterns is a great way to give your lawn a beautiful shape and prevent overgrowing lawn. To create a lawn mowing pattern, set the cutting height and choose a specific area to create different grass patterns.
When you mow a lawn in a regular pattern, the grass adapts a certain style to grow and consume the light and airflow available. Below is a quick breakdown of a few lawn mowing patterns.
- Checkerboard pattern
- Straight diagonal lines
- Crisscross diagonal patterns
- Diamonds.
- Striped lawnmower pattern
Usually, striped lawn mower effect is the most effective one as it helps the grass breathe better and look good all year round.
4 Steps To Stripe A Lawn In The Next 30 Minutes
Whether small or large, striped mowing patterns work best for all lawn sizes that have open space to mow on. Follow this 5-step guide to create a striped lawn effect on your lawn.
1. Brainstorm Your Ideas
To create any lawn mowing pattern, make a rough sketch of your lawn to see how the pattern will look afterward. Also, decide on a specific direction of the blade and mark at the point you want to start.
For example, if the blade bends towards the front side, they give dark stripes on the lawn, while those bent on the opposite side give lighter stripes.
2. Understanding the Process
The next step is to set the cutting height on your lawnmower and start mowing in stripes one by one. To start, don’t try to rush and repeat the same steps again which may create a mess on the lawn,
Take time to mow one side and then move to the other side of the lawn and mow at a 90-degree angle within a specific time period.
3. Enjoy the Results
Once the pattern sets nicely, brush off the extra grass from the lawn and see if there are any gaps to be filled. However, the striped effect looks more beautiful when the light strikes it. On average, the striped effect on the lawn lasts up to a month or even more, depending on your grass growth.
Things to consider when creating a striped effect on the lawn
- Clean the lawn and cut the grass from the corners and edges.
- Make one stripe on the lawn and take it as a landmark to mow other stripes on the lawn.
- Keep equal and moderate cutting space for mowing the stripes.
- After every stripe, draw a line so that you know where to make the next one.
The best rule to remember here is: Repeat the pattern and keep track while moving the lawn back and forth in the same direction.
Should I Trim Or Mow?
A lot of lawn owners use words like ”trimming” and ”mowing” interchangeably, ending up choosing the wrong one for their lawn. Here’s a quick definition of each term to avoid confusion.
Mowing a Lawn
Lawnmowing is cutting overgrown grass short, allowing new grass to grow with a cleaner look. This helps maintain, clean, and beautifully groom the lawn.
Trimming the Lawn
Lawn Trimming is cutting the edges of the lawn to a very short length. Usually, it’s done on the corners and boundary of your lawn which is quicker than mowing the entire lawn.
Usually, lawn owners prefer trimming the lawn first before mowing, as you get a leveled lawn in the first place.
Conclusion
Mowing a lawn full of weeds shouldn’t be a tiring process as long as you know the do’s and don’t’s. Start by planning and choosing the best-fitting lawn mower that covers your lawn needs and cuts without any interruptions.
Hope this article helps you get your lawn back in shape and kick off all the weeds.
