Common Lawn Mowing Mistakes to Avoid

Whether you’ve just purchased your first lawn mower or you’ve been cutting your grass for years, there are some common lawn mowing mistakes you’ll want to avoid. Most homeowners don’t realize it, but many of these mistakes can be the direct cause of certain yard problems. The good news is that most of these issues are easy to fix. Even better, you can avoid them completely when you’re aware of them. Read our guide, then visit our dealership in Lancaster, PA. Bobcat of York, Frederick, Hagerstown, Lancaster, and Adams County also serves the Baltimore, MD, area.

Mowing Too Often

It’s important not to mow your lawn too often. Sticking to a schedule is the key to success. Of course, this schedule can vary depending on the area where you live and what the climate is like. As a general rule of thumb, you should only mow the lawn so often that you don’t need to remove more than a third of the height of the grass blades. When you stick to a schedule that follows this rule, you’ll keep your grass looking fuller while also maintaining a much healthier root system.

Mowing Too Low

Another common lawn mowing mistake is cutting the grass too short. As you might’ve guessed, this happens when you cut off more than 1/3 of the height of your lawn. The logic behind this is mowing your lawn short means you have to mow less often. However, the damage you’ll be causing is definitely not worth it. You’ll leave your yard prone to weeds, for starters. The grass will also be less capable of surviving a drought or any other harmful environmental event. 

We should also mention that cutting your grass too short will leave your roots vulnerable with less shade to protect them. The sun could end up scorching your lawn yellow, which probably isn’t the curb appeal you’re going for!

Cutting Wet Grass

As tempting as it is to get out there and cut the grass early in the morning, avoid doing so if it’s still wet. Your blades may end up sticking together, which can result in uneven cutting. Additionally, wet clippings are likely to clog your mower and create more work for you. Cutting wet grass can cause you to unintentionally spread small patches of fungus, which may lead to more widespread lawn disease.

Cutting With Dull Blades

Always remember to check your machine’s blade. If this is a task you’ve been neglecting, you’ll want to get in the habit of checking the blade more frequently. You might think that a dull blade couldn’t possibly cause serious damage. However, this lawn mowing mistake will lead to your mower tearing up your turf rather than cutting the grass. If you’ve noticed your yard is looking patchy with uneven grass lengths, it might be time to sharpen or replace the blade.

If you have any questions, be sure to contact your friends at Bobcat of York, Frederick, Hagerstown, Lancaster, and Adams County. We can help you improve your lawn mowing routine for better results. We can also assist you in finding the right lawn equipment for your property. You’ll find our dealership conveniently located in Pennsylvania and Maryland.