Cut Like a Pro: The Best Lawn Mowing Patterns (2024)

The Best Lawn Mowing Patterns

Posted
April 6, 2017

Cut Like a Pro: The Best Lawn Mowing Patterns (1)

If you have to cut the grass, why not have some fun by creating one of the best lawn mowing patterns. Following the patterns described below are not only efficient, but it will make your lawn look great too.

Lawn Mowing Pattern: Rows

Mowing in rows is one of the fastest, most efficient way to cut your lawn. The size and shape of your yard plays a part in what direction the rows should go. If your yard is more wide, mow in horizontal rows to cover the longest part of your lawn with the least amount of turns. Longer lawns can be cut vertically for the same reason. If your yard is more of a square shape, congrats! You can cut in either direction.

Lawn Mowing Pattern: Circles

Round and round your yard you go. 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.

Lawn Mowing Pattern: Spirals

Circles are efficient, but you’ll also end up finishing in the center of your yard. To avoid this, you can use a double spiral pattern. You follow the same circular route as the previous pattern, but when you reach the center, move the mower in an S-shape. This puts you back in the direction you started, but mowing the area you skipped. When done correctly, you end up on the opposite corner of your yard from where you began.

Lawn Mowing Pattern: Stripes

You’ve seen them in sport fields, professional-cut lawns, and colleges—the clean and pristine look of stripes. What you’re looking at is the way light is reflecting off the grass blades. Dark stripes are blades bent toward you, while the lighter stripes are bent the opposite way. To get the blades to bend, you’ll need to buy or build your own striping kit for your mower or roller.

Best Lawn Mowing Factors to Consider

Before you pick a mowing pattern, consider how the following factors in to your yard:

Distance. How large of an area do you have to cut? You don’t want to mow over the same patch multiple times. This will make your yard look uneven and sloppy. Pick a pattern that you can maintain over a large area. Rows and stripes may work best.

Obstacles. Flower beds, trees, shrubs, sheds, statues, and anything else around your yard need to be considered before choosing the right route. Save time by mowing around these areas before tackling the larger, obstacle-free area.

Visualize. When trying a new pattern for the first time, sketch it out to better gauge how it will fit the layout of your lawn.

Straight lines. To help keep lines straight, start by mowing parallel to a straight sidewalk or driveway. To keep mowing straight, focus on the path about 10 feet in front of you instead of directly in front of the mower.

Lift and turn. When you come to the end of a row, lift the mower deck as you turn. Then continue in the opposite direction next to your last pass.

Mow high. Mowing at the highest setting creates soft grass that bends easily. A short grass blade won’t bend as far, so the stripe pattern won’t be as noticeable.

Sharp lines. Make sure your mower blades are sharp for a nice, healthy cut.

Need more advice on the best lawn mowing pattern for your yard? Call Cardinal Lawns at 614-808-4446 to discuss your options.

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Cut Like a Pro: The Best Lawn Mowing Patterns (2)

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Cut Like a Pro: The Best Lawn Mowing Patterns (2024)

FAQs

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

How to mow grass like a pro? ›

7 Tips to Mow Like a Pro
  1. Alternate your mowing route. Lawns that are mowed the same direction every time develop unsightly stripes that may grow back irregularly. ...
  2. Mow early. ...
  3. Take your time. ...
  4. Adhere to the one-third rule. ...
  5. Don't cut your grass too short. ...
  6. Keep your blade sharp. ...
  7. Water infrequently but deeply.
May 12, 2010

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.

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.

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.

How do you mow the best lines? ›

The key is to mow a straight line and then use it as a guide for the rest of the stripes. With practice, mowing straight lines without string will be easier — just pick a point in the distance and mow toward it. If a line is crooked, or a mistake is made, go back two lines before it and start over.

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.

How much do you overlap when mowing? ›

Be sure to mow in a straight line, whenever possible. And overlap your mowing path from 2-4 inches to avoid strips of uncut grass.

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 ...

What is the best pattern to mow a lawn? ›

Mow in a Circular Spiraling Pattern

This pattern can help minimize the number of 180-degree turns required to mow each row, replacing them with easier 90-degree turns at each corner of the lawn property.

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 best time of day to mow the lawn? ›

Grass needs the benefit of the day to dry and heal before dusk settles. Since mowing your grass in the early morning can damage it and mowing it during the early afternoon can burn it because of all the high temperatures, the ideal time is mid-morning.

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.

Should I mow vertically or horizontally? ›

Rotate mowing patterns every time you mow.

Keep the lawn as healthy as possible by switching up the patterns. Mow horizontally, then next time vertically, and diagonally after that.

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