'David's Lawn-mowing Efficiency Hierarchy' (2024)

FAQs

'David's Lawn-mowing Efficiency Hierarchy'? ›

According to David's Lawn Mowing Efficiency Hierarchy, the list of fastest to most-time consuming mowing methods are: Spiral: Start from the outside and spiral into the middle. (No 180-degree turns!) Long stripes: Mow the long edge — the length of the rectangle — then u-turn, and go back the other way.

The most efficient way to mow is the spiral: start from the outside and do the border, spiraling in to the middle.

Depending on your lawn size, you can expect to spend between $29 and $65 per hour or anywhere from $35 to $100 per visit for professional lawn mowing services.

The rule that helps us figure that out is called the one-third rule, which means never remove more than one-third of the leaf tissue at any one time that you're mowing. So, if you're mowing Kentucky bluegrass at two inches high, for example, you don't want to let it grow any higher than three inches before you mow it.

Mowing every two weeks — instead of weekly — and not dousing grass with chemical herbicides and fertilizers, helps the environment and supports the health of bees, which are among the world's most important pollinators.

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.

The typical net profit margin in lawn care and landscaping ranges from 5% to 20% per job. The more expenses you have, the less profit you come back with in the end. So it's essential to know your costs, how much they are per job, and what's factoring into your bottom net profit line.

The rate of grass growth and desired height of your lawn determine how often you need to mow. Typically, mowing once a week during the growing season should suffice to keep your lawn healthy. The rest of the time, you can reduce the frequency of cutting to every other week, as necessary.

As a general rule, grass clippings of an inch or less in length can be left on your lawn where they will filter down to the soil surface and decompose quickly. Remove longer clippings because they can shade or smother grass beneath causing lawn damage. Don't throw out bagged grass clippings as yard waste.

What is the best height to mow a lawn to prevent weeds? ›

For the healthiest and most sustainable approach, Michigan State University Extension says 3.5 to 4 inches is most desirable. Lawns mowed at 3.5 or 4 inches out-compete weeds, tolerate grubs and look just as good as lawns mowed at 2.5 inches.

Recommended Mowing Height The ideal mowing height for most lawns is between 3.5 to 4 inches. The benefits of mowing tall are numerous. Roots will grow deeper, improving drought tolerance. Tall turf provides better shade for the root system, conserving water, and blocking the growth of unwanted weeds.

By following the one-third rule for grass-cutting, you leave sufficient foliage to overcome the stress caused by cutting and to power the lawn's healthy growth via photosynthesis.

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.

Mowing in concentric circles reduces turns and makes the turns wider, so you spend less time maneuvering the mower.

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.

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.