Tasks to carry out before mowing the lawn
Before mowing the lawn you should carry out some pre-mowing routines.
These should be done every time you mow the lawn.
First of all you should remove any debris and objects that are
on the lawn surface. This can include the removal of twigs, leaves,
stones, childrens toys, pet droppings and bones. The reasons for
clearing the lawn surface include
- Increased safety - lawn mowers can throw stones and objects
such as childrens marbles out from underneath them at great speed
causing cuts, broken bones and eye injuries. See lawn
mower safety for more information.
- Removal of lawn surface objects will prevent damage to the lawn
mower blades and other lawn mower parts that can be caused by
hard objects
- Surface debris such as leaves and pet droppings will be squashed
into the lawn surface by the weight of the lawn mower. As well
as creating unwanted lumps and bumps on the lawn surface this
can mean that the sunlight is unable to penetrate the compacted
layer of debris which results in the grass underneath dying or
losing its vigour.
Make sure that the grass and turf is not wet or waterlogged. Waterlogged
turf will be compacted by the weight of the mower and your footsteps
and the mower's roller or side wheels are likely to sink into the
wet turf. This results in unsightly depressions, markings and and
tracks.
Brush the lawn surface with a besom broom before you start mowing.
This prevents the grass from lying flat and will help the grass
and weeds to 'sit up' so that they are sitting proud to the mower
blades. This will ensure that the grass is cut at the desired length.
Brushing the surface of the lawn will also disperse any worm casts
that may be present on the lawn surface. Removal of worm casts is
importants as otherwise they will be squashed and compressed by
the mower as it passes over the worm cast. This will leave an apparent
'bare patch of mud' on you lawn. Brushing the lawn can also remove
any remaining dew that may be left on the tips of the grass.
Before you start mowing the lawn determine which direction you
want your stripes to go. You should aim to make the stripes at right
angles to the stripes that were created the last time you mowed
the lawn. Alternating the direction of the stripes with each cut
helps avoid the unsightly corrugated appearance that is known as
washboarding.
Your final task before you actually mow the lawn is to check your
lawn mower to ensure it is ready for the job. If your mower is a
petrol mower then have you checked to see there is enough petrol
in its tank. Have you set
the lawn mower blades to the correct height? The height the
blades are set to should vary with the climatic seasons and the
type of grasses that make up the lawn.
Obtaining a neat striped lawn appearance is relatively simple if
you have the right lawn mower type.
Both rotary mowers and cylinder lawn mowers are capable of producing
the striped effect. Lawn mowers that have a rear roller will produce
the best striped effect. For more information see creating
lawn mower stripes.