Getting the Lawn Cut you Want

Size Matters
You need to start by considering your basic conditions before buying your mower. For what is classed as a small lawn, say up to 100 square metres, a mower with a 25-30cm (10-12inch) cutting width is ideal but for a standard sized lawn, between 100-250 square metres, it would be better to choose a 35-40cm (14-16inch) blade. Large lawns over 250 square metres, as long as they don’t have intricate areas such as curved edges with overhanging plants, need a mower that is at 40cm (16 inches) wide.

Cutting Quality
The quality of cut you achieve depends both of the type of mower used and the condition of the lawn. Raking, aerating and brushing lawns can all improve the quality of the cut that the mower delivers. Basically, the best cuts are achieved using cylinder mowers with a large number of blades while rotary and hover mowers are better suited to ornamental lawns. For what are called fine lawns, that have the performance quality of bowls or cricket greens, you need a cylinder mower.

Cutting Frequency
Lawn quality will be at its best when mowing is carried out at frequent intervals which normally means twice weekly in summer and once a week in spring and autumn although if weather is very dry, you should cut only once a week in very dry summer weather and also cut grass under trees less frequently and at a higher cut than on the main part of the lawn.

Mowing in winter
Mowing is carried out mainly between February or March and October. If there are weeks of clement weather during the winter period and your grass needs a trim, a cut at a high setting can be undertaken but don’t try this if ground conditions are either very soft underfoot or frozen, or if a frost is predicted in 48 hours after the cut, or during spells of chill winds that will have a desiccating effect on the cut grass.

Lawn raking can remove moss and other debris from the lawn, giving a cleaner, neater cut. Lawn rake courtesy of www.gardening-tools-direct.co.uk

 

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