Lawn mowing is not such a pleasing task, especially when what comes of the toil is not appealing to the eye. Additionally, the mowing could be tiresome if the grass is growing so fast that you have to do it regularly to maintain them.
Favorably, with appropriate techniques and mowing patterns and the need to sustain the visible patterns become easier and fun.
In this guide, I’ll outline the lawn mowing patterns techniques, hints, and skills to help you perfect your lawn mowing. This caters to individuals with either cordless or corded electric lawn mower.
The Best Lawn Mowing Pattern Techniques You Should Consider
There are various patterns to pick from. Most of them are considerably easy to put into practice. Note that it is good to choose a pattern that is achievable with your lawn mower.
When you are using a zero-turn or push mower, you won’t have to worry about the turning space.
On the other hand, this must be thought of when using a riding mower otherwise, you will notice a patch of grass missed by the mower which you may know as the riding lawn mower patterns.
If you are using a riding mower, consider mowing the edges and the curved areas of your lawn to create the space for turning.
If this is done properly, the patterns will be complete and clearly outlined to the edges.
Rows
Among the top mowing patterns, rows come first. There’s no doubt you have seen the eye-catching rows that looks like a football pitch.
To produce such a meticulous pattern, you need to run the mower in back and forth moves to maintain straight lines.
With this technique, turn on the outer edge of the yard and adjust the mower wheels with the lines you had previously mowed.
If you want to make sure the lines are accurately straightened, align them with any straight edge like a sidewalk, garden edge, or fence.
A handy idea is to ensure the first lines are properly straightened and that will help you while doing the subsequent rows. With properly lined up wheels and a little focus while operating, perfectly straight lines are achievable.
- Starting Your Rows
The approach where you use the surrounding like a fence to guide your rows is known to give the perfect start.
For better lawn striping patterns, if you want to line up the first row of mowing with the fence, purpose to start at an angle of 90 degrees from the fence.
In a nutshell, you should mow in a straight path away from your fence.
Alternatively, you can mow diagonally at an angle of 45 degrees from the fence or anything bordering your lawn.
Begin in from one edge and continue in a back and forth movement but maintaining a diagonal inclination rather than beginning from the same edge and mowing near the edge.
One of the golden ideas about mowing your lawn is viewing your lawn from a perspective of an observer. You can just take a walk around your lawn on the routes adjacent to it and see how a passerby would perceive.
A popular mowing technique involves mowing to produce rows that line at an angle that attracts passers. If done properly, your lawn will appear more spacious and will certainly send an invitation message.
Mowing in rows is easy. Just make sure to alternate where you begin your mowing to make difference in your mowing patterns.
This will go a long way in making your grass look fresh while keeping the rows terse and well-outlined.
Checkerboard Pattern
Like the rows pattern, the checkerboard pattern can be formed by kick starting with a pattern of rows of straight lines that are a result of back and forth moves.
Next, rotate at an angle of 90 degrees to the initial patterns of rows and start mowing another series of rows straight to the first.
For a meticulous look, you may want to go the extra mile and add a line around the whole outline at the end.
The additional work will help in polishing areas that were not perfectly done while trying to keep the mowing pattern in shape.
Spirals Pattern
This is a less exploited pattern that you can try. With this technique, you will need to begin from a point out of the lawn and proceed around the whole perimeter of where you want to mow in a huge square.
You will keep mowing on the inside of the preceding square, creating smaller and smaller paths until you get to the core of the lawn.
A double spiral can be used to achieve a similar look. Using this alternative, start on the outer part just like before and move around the outer perimeter of the lawn in a four-sided spiral.
How should you measure the spacing between the spirals? Well, this is a common question that most people ask. The best way to do this is by using the width of your mower.
However, in the middle of the square, form a squared ‘S’ decoration for turning around. To exit, (moving out of the square) use the spaces you previously left until you get to the outside of the spiral.
Curved Designs
This lawn striping pattern is ideal for yards that have a lot of curves as compared to straight edges because of some reasons and if you love striped lawns.
Just like the spiral design, starting with the outer edge of your lawn as the guide for mowing is still a valuable practice.
Again, you will need to work your way inwards like in the spiral pattern. Nonetheless, for curved designs, the edges will be rounded rather than being squared.
Also, this technique is attainable and you can easily have a perfect outline and spacing. The trick only lies in suitably aligning the mower wheel to the preceding mowed line.
Watch this video to learn the technique.
Benefits Of Mowing Patterns In Your Lawn
There are some benefits that you can have from mowing patterns on your lawn. While getting an appealing look on your lawn is an obvious one, here are some benefits that you may not have known about.
- It Reduces The Damage To Your Lawn.
When you have a particular pattern for mowing your lawn every time, you will eventually damage the grass on your lawn. The tire tracks of your mower will compact the grass, which reduces airflow in them.
This happens when you repeatedly follow the same pattern as the tires go the same way and affect the same grasses every time.
But with different mowing patterns, you can reduce that impact by a lot. This will lead to not damaging the lawn further as you won’t be running over the same grass areas repeatedly.
- It Helps Create A Healthier Lawn.
Keeping up with a mowing pattern will lead to a healthier lawn for sure. When you are mowing, you shouldn’t remove more than 1/3 of the leaf blades.
Doing so will result in shorter leaves that won’t have enough area to absorb proper sunlight and lack the nutrients they need.
Without a mowing pattern, you will be doing that all the time, which leads to weaker plants on your lawn. But with a mowing pattern, you won’t have that issue of cutting too much of the leaf area.
This makes sure that you have a healthier lawn that is full of tall grasses with stronger roots.
- Great For Hiding Flaws In Your Lawn
I am not encouraging having flaws on your lawn, but you can hide them with an appealing mowing pattern if you have some.
Now, there are some flaws, such as dry spots or disease areas on lawns, that you can’t avoid at any cost. In those cases, hiding them can be your best bet.
This can be a great and quick solution to a flawed lawn. By the time you fix the issues with your lawn, you can still have a decent-looking lawn that doesn’t have any disturbing appearance.
So, it all works out just perfectly for you.
Lawn Mowing Patterns: Reality Check
First, before we get into the details of mowing pattern methods, we better make some things clear from the start. Did you know that mowing along common paths regularly can be detrimental to your lawn?
Mower wheels moving along the same point can develop bald patches or ruts in your lawn. Furthermore, if you mow in a particular direction, the grass slopes that way and that results in the visible patterns.
Thus, keeping the mowing in a specific pattern is necessary if you dream to have a desired pattern.
Various lawn mowing designs change the routine and give an appealing panorama for photography or even for the general view of your lawn.
Realizing easy lawn mowing patterns and methods is not like rocket science- there is no extra effort needed that isn’t attainable. It is simply the things you have been undertaking but slightly twisted a bit to give a unique result.
If you give it a foresight and strategic planning, there will be a great difference.
One reason you would prefer to mow with a specific lawn pattern is that the patterns will aid in hiding other flaws as bald spots and weeds that would otherwise affective the appearance of your lawn.
Creating patterns is the simplest way of enhancing the general look of your lawn.
3 Things To Always Keep In Mind
Well, you know all about lawn mowing patterns. There are three crucial things that you will always have to keep in mind about lawn mowing patterns.
Here’s what you should never forget to do-
- Work On The Edges First
Whenever you work on mowing lawn patterns, always work on the edges first. Working on the edges will make your mowing much quicker and easier.
It also helps in getting the perfect pattern that you desire to do.
- Choose a pattern
Don’t start mowing without having a plan or design in your mind. Make sure to choose a specific pattern before you even begin mowing on your lawn.
This will help you in creating a good way without making any mistakes at all.
- Mixing It Up
Make sure to mix up the patterns you choose to do. Mixing it up doesn’t mean you have to change the patterns. It means changing the direction every week.
This will help in preserving the grass and grow it properly all over the lawn.
What About The Type Of Grass On Your Lawn?
The patterns you will draw in a lawn will be determined by how perfect you do your work. That is a fact. But did you know that the type of grass in your lawn also matters when it comes to the quality of the patterns you will make?
With higher water content in them, grasses in cooler areas become denser, green, and flexible compared to grass in the hot climate that tends to be rougher and stiffer.
If pattern definition is something you regard so much; then think of planting grass breeds like Kentucky bluegrass (cooler grass breed).
The Idea Behind The Visible Patters In A Lawn
Ideally, the way sunlight reflects on mowed grass is critical to its overall look and this is determined by how perfect the lawn has been mowed.
For instance, a blade of grass that is inclined towards you will appear darker while one that inclines away from you will appear lighter.
With this consideration, it is prudent to set your mower’s blade to a pretty tall height such that you only trim the peak of the blade of grass.
A longer blade of grass will give you a more defined outline. Again, shorter blades of grass may not bend.
You will realize that a bending attachment or a lawn roller or push mower can give a precisely eye-catching pattern. However, even without the select attachments and appliances, your mower will eventually yield a comparable outcome.
By simply tilting your mower as you push over the grass, you will make it to drift in that position for a while. Although the pattern won’t be that pronounced, it will surely be there.
Sum Up
Every expert was once a beginner in their profession. After mastering these easy lawn mowing patterns techniques, you will realize that you are gaining confidence.
You will be shocked that you are artistic only that you have not spent your time building confidence. As time goes by, you should typically develop some mechanism that will assist you to deal with flaws in your outlines.
Be inventive and set your lawn apart with the well-thought-out patterns that draw the eyes of everyone passing by. It is easier than you may think!
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