Every homeowner wants a lush, well-manicured lawn. Luckily, an easy way to elevate your yard's appearance is through routine mowing. Maintaining your grass comes down to how you’re using your lawn mower, and whether or not you're adhering to important mowing guidelines. These are also integral to your safety, so be sure to apply the following to your mowing routine.

Do:

Keep mower blades sharp.

Sharp blades slice through glass evenly, which not only improves your lawn’s overall appearance, but also keeps the grass healthy. Choppy, jagged cuts will make it easier for pests and grass diseases to infiltrate each blade of grass, often resulting in unsightly brown patches throughout your yard. If you suspect lawn discoloration is occurring due to dull mower blades, you might be able to do an inspection of the mower yourself.

To check on the condition of your lawnmower blades, empty your lawn mower’s gas to ensure there’s no way for it to accidentally turn on, and then flip it over. If your blades are dull, consider sharpening the blades at home or, if you’re uncomfortable doing this, take your mower to a professional at an equipment rental and maintenance center.

Mow dry grass.

Not only does wet grass present a slipping hazard for lawnmowers, but it's harder to cut. If you decide to mow after heavy rain or scheduled watering from your sprinkler system, you’ll compact your lawn instead of trimming it, and the newly compacted mat of grass will prevent sunlight and moisture from reaching its roots. Wet grass can also accumulate inside of your mower, interrupting how the blade spins and affecting performance. To avoid these issues, be sure to mow your grass after it's had time to dry for maximum mowing efficiency.

Don’t:

Throw away clippings.

Grass clippings make the perfect fertilizer for your lawn, so consider taking the catch-bag off your lawn mower to collect them. These clippings contain key nutrients, and, as they decompose, they’ll release them into the soil, helping your grass grow taller and stronger. This process is called grasscycling and can be done every 5-7 days.

Mow too low.

Mowing low may seem beneficial, but you could actually be harming your grass. Professionals recommend only cutting off the top 1/3 of the grass blades. Keeping it longer shades the roots from the sun, preventing evaporation. Taller grass will also grow deeper roots, resulting in a healthier, more vibrant yard.

If you need a lawn mower tune-up, contact Tri-County Rentals Sales and Service in Martinsburg, WV. This equipment rental facility has served customers for 40 years and works on a variety of lawn equipment. You’ll also find convenient rentals for earth moving equipment, party rentals, and more, which you can learn more about online. Receive updates by connecting on Facebook, or call (304) 267-2974 to speak with a member of the team.