A lush green lawn is what most homeowners desire. However, even the most gorgeous lawns experience a few problems from time to time. Sometimes, these lawn issues can be easy to spot and fix. Other times, the cause of a lawn problem is more complicated and requires professional diagnosis and lawn renovation services.
Mowing Pattern
Mowing patterns make your yard look great and can help with common lawn diseases. Also, mowing different patterns helps prevent the grass from being trained to bend in one direction. When trying out a new mowing pattern, it’s a good idea to visualize it on paper or draw it out before you go for the first time. It will allow you to figure out how long the pattern takes, saving you time and energy in the future. If you use a stripe mowing pattern, start lining up your first pass with a straight edge, like a sidewalk or driveway. It will set the foundation for your first wavy stripe. Once you’ve done a couple of passes around the perimeter, you can create alternating arched stripes down to one side of your yard and back the other way. Be sure to overlap your tire tracks as you work to avoid creating ruts in your turf.
Double Spiral Pattern
While the debate between rows and spirals continues, one clear thing is that circle yard lawn mowing is more efficient than in straight lines. That’s because a circle requires fewer turns, which means less wear on your mower. But, if you’re looking for even more efficiency, the double spiral pattern may be what you’re after. This mowing pattern works by skipping a lane each time you move inward toward the center of your lawn.
To mow in a double spiral, start on the outside perimeter and begin your spiral around the yard. As you go, leave enough space between each spiral that your mower can fit through. And on each turn, remember to use the same over-under pattern you’ve used. Move Cord B2 over Cord A2; on the right, move Cord A2 under Cord B1. Be sure to arrange these two halves horizontally after tying a Half Knot.
Circular Pattern
The circular pattern is another mowing option that reduces the sharp turns required to cut straight lines. Experts note that mowing in circles is efficient and effective because it cuts grass more evenly. Plus, it doesn’t create unattractive ruts like mowing in straight rows does. You can start this mowing pattern from the outside or the inside. In most cases, starting on the outside works best for lawns that don’t have focal points, such as trees or other features. But you can also start from the center and work out if preferred.
Spiral Pattern
A spiral pattern can be tricky, but it’s an excellent way to hide flaws in your lawn. Just go slowly and overlap your mower’s tire tracks to avoid creating unsightly lines in your grass.
To do a spiral:
- Mow the outer reaches of your yard first.
- Align your mower with the outline and move in a circle inside, making smaller circles as you move toward the center of the lawn.
- Leave a full mower width between each spiral to prevent the grass from getting too crowded.
If you use this mowing pattern, your mower blade must be sharp. Dull mower blades may damage your lawn by tearing up the grass and leaving ragged brown edges. Also, repeated mowing in the same direction can cause the turf to become compacted and block airflow. It can lead to dead brown patches and slow disease, drought, or heat stress recovery.
