When mowing the lawn, it's important to vary the mowing pattern every two to three weeks to maintain healthy growth. Mowing constantly in the same direction inhibits growth and compresses soil as opposed to alternating the direction, which allows the grass to grow better.
Here are a few lawn mowing pattern techniques and tips to transform your lawn into a work of art this summer:
Mowing pattern techniques
- Striping: This mowing technique bends the grass so the light reflects on your lawn, which creates a pattern. The best results come when you attach a roller to the back of your mower that will press the grass to the ground. These rollers are available at most garden centers or lawn mower equipment retailers.
- Regular stripes and plaid stripes: To create either of these common lawn patterns, begin by mowing the perimeter of your lawn. Next, mow back and forth in opposite directions through your entire lawn. When turning at the end of each row, try taking a "Y" turn to reduce turf damage. Go over the perimeter once more at the end to cover up any offsets in the pattern. To turn regular stripes into plaid stripes, mow straight lines back and forth in the opposite direction of entire lawn. Finish the job by going over the perimeter once more.
- Diagonal and crisscross patterns: If you're looking to try a new striping technique, follow the same steps as above, but mow in a diagonal direction to your previous pattern to create a diagonal or crisscross lawn pattern.
Mowing pattern tips
- Cutting height: Keep in mind that the cutting height you chose will affect the striping intensity. Cutting the grass short will normally lessen the stripe as the shorter grass blade will not bend over as far and therefore reflect less light. A longer cut will enhance the striping pattern and can make a noticeable difference.
- Grass type: Certain breeds of grass will also bend easier and provide a better stripe pattern. Warm season grasses that are typically found in the southern regions of the United States are typically more difficult to stripe as they are more rigid and harder to bend.
