Best Lawn Mowing Patterns - Cardinal Lawns (2024)

What to Know Before You Mow

Posted
April 4, 2019

Best Lawn Mowing Patterns - Cardinal Lawns (1)

Mowing the lawn isn’t just pushing or driving a machine over your grass to cut it. It’s a dedicated practice that helps keep your grass trim, your yard clean, and your lawn healthy. This is why knowing the best lawn mowing pattern is important.

The Best Lawn Mowing Pattern

Whether the lines are horizontal, diagonal, striped, or simple, the pattern is an important part of the mowing practice. It’s best to use a different pattern every time you mow so that:

  • the repeated tire track path doesn’t wear out and kill the grass,
  • the grass doesn’t become compacted,
  • and grass doesn’t start to lean in a certain direction and form ruts.
  • Switching it up helps grass stand up nice and tall.
  • Mowing a different pattern into the grass can also help hide weeds.

Before learning the basic patterns, it’s also key to remember that when using a push mower, always push in a forward direction. If your lawn is on a hill, you also want to mow side to side to decrease the risk of slipping up or down the slope.

Basic Lawn Mowing Patterns

There are a few simple lawn striping patterns to try. See which one works best for you. Here are a few to start with:

  • Simple stripes
  • Straight diagonal lines
  • Checkerboard pattern
  • Criss-cross diagonal pattern
  • Diamonds

Some of these may seem fancy, but they are just variations of the simple lawn striping pattern. It’s all in the direction you mow. As you pass over the grass, the blades bend in that direction. Then when you go the other way, the grass bends in that direction. Light reflects off of the grass differently in each direction, which makes the lines appear. Mowing the grass taller by raising the blade height will make the stripes more clear because longer grass bends more than short grass.

Striped Lawn Mowing Pattern

Any lawn mower will create the pretty lawn stripes. Here’s how:

  1. Mow around the outside edges of your yard. Turn your mower as you’re cutting the grass—a few feet of turning space makes it easier to make straight lines.
  2. Make your first stripe using a hardscaped guide to keep it straight—like the edge of a sidewalk or garden bed.
  3. Turn your mower around on the outside edge of where you already mowed. Line your mower up so that the wheel is on the edge of the mowing line you just created. Follow the line to create your next stripe.
  4. Repeat across your lawn, lining the mower up after each turn. Each new stripe should be in the opposite direction of the last stripe.

If you want a more finished look, once you’re done creating stripes, go back around the perimeter of the yard to get rid of any leftover turn marks.

Professional Lawn Mowing

If you pay to have your grass cut, the contractors should already be aware of different lawn mowing techniques. If you notice the grass is being cut the same way each time, suggest they switch things up. Contact Cardinal Lawns for more lawn tips and tricks, and if you’re looking to switch up your lawn mowing company.

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Best Lawn Mowing Patterns - Cardinal Lawns (2024)

FAQs

Best Lawn Mowing Patterns - Cardinal Lawns? ›

Mow your first diagonal stripe down the center of the lawn, then mow another stripe next to it. Move around the edge of the lawn and cut a second stripe in the same direction to create one light stripe with two dark stripes next to it. Continue this pattern until both sides of the lawn are striped.

What is the most efficient pattern to mow a lawn? ›

Lawn Mowing Pattern: Circles

Cutting in concentric circles is an efficient pattern because all the turns you make are in the same direction. Since turns are more gradual, it's also easier to maneuver your mower. A circular pattern will match the cuts you make around trees and flower beds as well.

What is the best technique for mowing the lawn? ›

Here's an easy step-by-step way to start:
  1. Week 1: Mow horizontally (left to right or vice versa)
  2. Week 2: Mow diagonally, starting from one corner of the yard.
  3. Week 3: Mow vertically.
  4. Week 4: Mow diagonally in the direction opposite week 2.
Feb 21, 2024

Why do landscapers mow diagonally? ›

the grass doesn't become compacted, and grass doesn't start to lean in a certain direction and form ruts. Switching it up helps grass stand up nice and tall. Mowing a different pattern into the grass can also help hide weeds.

What is the Zamboni pattern for mowing? ›

The Zamboni Effect

First, take your passes around the edge of your yard. Then, take a pass down the middle and go to the outside edges, taking a pass going in the opposite direction.

Should I mow the same pattern every time? ›

Don't Mow the Same Way Every Time – Alternate the Pattern

Varying the pattern in which you mow will help to allow the blades to grow straighter and healthier. Grass blades tend to grow in the direction in which they are mowed. Alternating the pattern allows the blades to return to a more upright position.

What is the mow the grass strategy? ›

The term was coined by Efraim Inbar and Eitan Shami to describe 'a patient military strategy of attrition with limited goals: to diminish their opponents' capacity to harm Israel, and to accomplish temporary deterrence – both of which are achieved through occasional large-scale operations, as seen with the three Gaza ...

Should you mow fast or slow? ›

It's generally accepted that the best speed for effective mowing is in the 3-6 mph range. Going too fast can actually result in an uneven cut. How? As the leading edge of the deck pushes the grass forward, the grass doesn't have time to stand back up before being cut because the mower is moving so fast.

Should you mow or edge first? ›

Mow First

By mowing first, you know how short to trim grass along edges and will be less likely to scalp those areas, giving rise to bare or weedy patches.

Does frequent mowing thicken grass? ›

Mow Properly

Using best practices for mowing helps your grass grow thick and stay that way. Rather than mowing based on your weekly calendar, mow according to grass needs. Mow often enough to maintain your grass type at its recommended mowing height without removing more than one-third of the height in a single mowing.

Why do landscapers cut grass in the rain? ›

We often get the call from some of our customers wondering why we are mowing grass in the rain. The answer is pretty simple: “BECAUSE WE HAVE TO”, not necessarily because we want to. Mowing grass in the rain takes substantially more time and creates a dangerous environment for our staff to work.

Why do you double cut your lawn? ›

When you mow twice, even in quick succession, you make it easier for the grass to sustain itself after a taller mow. So, while most of the benefits of double-cutting are aesthetic, there are some cases where it's the right thing to do for your lawn's health.

What is the easiest mowing pattern? ›

Circular Mowing Pattern

Concentric circles use the same time-saving technique as mowing in stripes: it's all about the turns. Mowing in concentric circles reduces turns and makes the turns wider, so you spend less time maneuvering the mower.

What is the most efficient way to mow a lawn? ›

The most efficient way to mow is the spiral: start from the outside and do the border, spiraling in to the middle. 2. Next, you have the long stripes: mow the long edge-the length of the rectangle-and then u-turn, and go back forth, striping the turf till you're done.

How to cut grass like a pro? ›

10 Lawn Mowing Tips for a Professional Finish
  1. Leave some length. We get it. ...
  2. Mulch as you mow. Before firing up the lawn mower, most people attach a grass collection bag. ...
  3. Sharp blades for a clean cut. ...
  4. Avoid cutting wet grass. ...
  5. Invest in an Automower® ...
  6. Switch directions. ...
  7. Don't be afraid of a double cut. ...
  8. Go short at winter.

Is it better to edge or mow first? ›

While there is no definitive answer, it is often found that doing the edges first can be easier and leave a cleaner appearance. Doing the edges first will mean that the excess clippings from the edges will then get cleaned up when the mower goes over the top of them, making the clean up a lot easier and quicker.

How do you get perfect lines when mowing? ›

For the straightest lawn striping, find a straight driveway or path to follow. Mow the first stripe parallel to it. When you come to the end of that stripe, make a tight turn with your mower, or raise the mower deck. Mow the next row in the opposite direction.

What is the best angle to mow a lawn? ›

Start by mowing your yard in the stripe pattern above. When you finish your lawn, turn so that you are sitting at a 90-degree angle to the stripes you just mowed. At this new angle, re-mow your lawn to achieve the checkerboard pattern.

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