Good Maintenance – a Must
Different grasses require different upkeep, and different homeowners have different ideas about what a well-groomed lawn should look like. But, most people will agree that lawns need to be mowed, trimmed or edged, and occasionally weeded to keep them looking their best.
In this section, we look at the various types of lawn mowers available, discuss the proper techniques of mowing, and deal with trimming, edging, and weeding.
Mowing and Mowers
Two basic types of mowers are available – the reel mower (either power or hand-operated) and the rotary mower. Both types offer certain advantages as well as some possible drawbacks. You should look at the various points made about each type, then look at your particular lawn situation to determine which mower is best for you.
The Reel-mowing Principle
Any reel mower, hand or power-driven, makes a comparatively smooth and even cut. You get neat little crosswise marks and a “striped” effect on the overall lawn. (Lose reel bearings or dull blades may emphasize this effect.)
The typical reel mower has five blades, although some models may have only four blades or as many as six or seven (those models with six or seven blades are for cutting low or wiry grass, such as Bermuda and bent which thrive on very close mowing). All reel mowers cut only when moving in the forward direction.
With a reel mower that has no grass catcher, mow in a counterclockwise direction if your mower throws to the left, clockwise if it throws to the right (all reel mowers throw their cuttings out in one direction, depending on which way the blades spiral or twist). That way the mower will deposit part of the clippings on uncut grass. Then on the next parallel trip, the mower will chop up some of the previous run’s clippings—an advantage because finely cut clipping sift down into grass better than longer pieces.
If your mower leaves rough spots on the lawn surface or if tough blades of grass pass through the blades unscathed, the blades are probably dull or out of alignment, or both, and the mowers should be serviced.
The hand-operated reel mower. If you like exercise and you feel your garden should be a place of peace and quiet, the hand-operated machine may be for you. With a small lawn (2,000 square feet or less), time isn’t a significant factor, but in terms of physical energy, your legs and back must take the place of the power-driven mower.
Hand-operated reel mowers are less expensive than power mowers, are easy to store, and require a minimum of maintenance. To keep a hand mower at its best, keep the bearings oiled with a light household oil (if it’s for lawn mowers, the label will say so) and have the blades sharpened annually.
The power reel mower. Two features make the power reel mower especially suitable for hilly lawns: it fits into the contours easily and its power-driven wheels take it up slopes and hold it on course. Most power reel mowers are self-propelled; the engine drives both the blades and the wheels.
Power reel mowers generally cost slightly more than power rotary mowers and are considered to be somewhat safer, although this is relative—no machine with power-drive and fast-moving sharp blade sis really safe.
The power reel mower is for use on lawns only. For cutting high grass and tall weeds, chopping leaves and other debris, and operating on rough ground, a gasoline-powered rotary mower is much more efficient.
The Power Rotary Mower
Unlike the reel mower, which uses a scissor action, a rotary mower cuts like a scythe or a knife. There are several types of rotary blades, having sickle bar sections or freely pivoting blades mounted at the end of the large blade or at the edge of one or two horizontal discs. The sickle bar sections and freely pivoting blades are easy to sharpen or replace.
All rotary mowers cut only with the outer edge of the rotating blade. Most are available with grass catching attachments.
Two outstanding advantages of the rotary mower are its ability to cut high weeds, stalks, and grass, and its ability to cut close to trees, walls, and other structures. Also, it effectively chops leaves on the lawn.
The rotary’s cutting height differs from that of the reel. You can adjust the rotary higher, but not as low. Unlike reel mowers, the rotary mower cuts in either direction. This makes it easier to handle, especially on small or oddly shaped lawn areas. Some rotary mowers have a flip-over handle so you can make the return trip with-out turning the machine around.
A well-made, large, gasoline-powered rotary mower is usually tougher than the typical reel mower or an electric-powered rotary. It can take rough treatment that would normally damage a reel. Rotary blades can hit rocks and sticks and knock them out without killing the engine. Resultant nicks or cuts on the blades can be filed down, or if the blades look too hopeless, just replace them. Note: Never try to file a reel mower’s blades yourself—the job requires special equipment, so take it to a professional.
A sharp rotary blade makes a clean cut and requires less power to operate than a dull one. Dull blades mash the grass tips, leaving a brownish cast on the cut surface.
Electric or Gasoline Power?
Most power mowers sold are gasoline driven, but you can buy an electric rotary mower if you choose to.
The advantages and shortcomings of the electric machine are briefly states. An electric machine is limited by the total length of its cord and the power and speed of the motor. Usually, you must cut the lawn in a back and forth pattern, gradually working away from the outdoor electric outlet to keep from snarling or cutting the cord. If you lawn is very large, electric outlets are far away, or you have several trees to dodge, an electric mower may just be too much trouble. Use of extension cords is not encouraged, but if you do use one, be sure it is a heavy-duty grounded one.
The motors on most electric mowers turn mower slowly than gasoline-powered motors. This means you can’t use an electric mower for heavy-duty, tall weed cutting.
On the plus side, and electric mower is quiet, easy to start, and completely without fumes. On small lawns it does the job quickly and easily.
Buying a Mower
When you shop for a power mower, let your dealer know what you need it for. Tell him or her how large your lawn is, what type grass you have, if you have a hilly lawn, or if you expect to cut tall weeds.
It’s best to have the dealer demonstrate the mower for you and explain the maintenance requirements. If you plan to store your mower over the winter months, ask if any special care is needed.
How Frequently Should You Mow?
Some experts recommend mowing so frequently that you never remove more than 1/3 of the total grass blade surface. The theory is that cutting off a greater portion can cause a physiological shock to the plant because production of food is curtailed.
In practice, many gardeners find it hard to avoid cutting off more than 1/3 of the blade—especially if the lawn has been fertilized within the past few weeks and the person who does the mowing has time to do it only one a week.
If you must cut off more than 1/3 of the grass blade, don’t worry about it, but do avoid making a habit of it. And when your grass has a growing spurt, try to mow more frequently.
Mowing Techniques
The height you should cut your lawn depends on the type of grass you are growing and your climate.
After mowing your lawn, check the cutting height (measure from the soil to the top of the grass blades) and make any necessary adjustment for future mowings. Don’t rely on the mower measurements; they can’t accurately account for the distance the mower’s wheels settle into the grass.
Mow at least weekly. Longer intervals between mowings result in too much grass being cut off. You can let short clippings stay on the lawn; they serve as natural mulch and return some nutrients to the soil.
It’s best not to mow wet grass: it will mash under the mower wheels, stick to the cutting blades, or just lie down under the mower and spring back later. If you must mow it, you can get rid of some surface moisture by brushing the grass with a piece of burlap or a tree branch.
If you rake up your grass clippings or use a grass catcher, don’t let them accumulate in a pile—they’re likely to become a breeding place for flies. The most efficient ways to use grass clippings are to put them in a compost pile or use them in very thin layers as a mulch for flower beds.
Trimming and Edging
Trimming grass along sidewalks, house walls, trees, fences, or garden beds can be done by hand with grass shears or with a powered trimmer such as the string trimmer illustrated on this page. Long-handled grass shears are back savers if you have a lot of edges to trim.
For a neat edge along walks, you can get a hand-operated edger with a rotating wheel that pulls grass across an upright cutting edge. This device needs a hard surface on the outside of the lawn edge to support the rubber drive wheel and give traction to turn the cutting wheel.
Weeding
Weeds spoil the smooth, even texture of a well-roomed lawn. You can attack them two ways: either with chemical controls or by hand pulling.
If you have only a few weeds, hand pulling or using a tool is the best method of attack. The notch-ended weeder works perfectly in the tight quarters between grass plants. Try to remove as much of the weed’s root as possible.
The trowel and cultivator are more useful for dealing with weeds at the lawn’s edge or near ground covers.
Information accredited to Sunset Lawns & Ground Covers. Page 18-19.
