Here's How to Mow Your Lawn Like a Pro

Mowing your lawn is a common household chore that's simple enough, right? Not so fast. It's important to mow correctly to achieve a healthy, resilient, and lush lawn. In the long run, proper mowing can also save on time, cost, and maintenance.

Learn how to mow your lawn properly and spend less time behind the lawn mower and more time basking in your beautiful outdoor living space.

Master How to Mow a Lawn Properly

Mowing the right way will save you time and improve your lawn's appearance. Follow these mowing tips and watch your lawn flourish.

Recommended Grass Mowing Height

It's important to use your lawn mower properly and not cut your grass too short. Regular close cutting can cause a number of issues. While it may seem that mowing your grass shorter will result in less frequent mowing, this can actually lead to brown or bare spots, increased weed growth and more maintenance over time.

Weeds

When you cut your grass too short, your lawn becomes vulnerable to weed growth. Sparse grass exposes more soil, allowing weed seeds to take root. It also allows for more sunlight exposure and water evaporation, which helps weeds grow.

Root System

Grass that is consistently cut too short has a poorly developed root system. This makes your lawn more vulnerable to damage from drought or high temperatures. Taller grass develops deeper roots for a tougher, more resilient lawn.

The 1/3 Rule

As a general rule, cut only 1/3 of the grass blade height at a time. For example, if you want your grass to be 3 inches in height, then you should mow your grass when it is 4.5 inches tall. If you cut more, each blade has less surface area to produce the photosynthesis that fuels leaf and root development.

Mowing Height

The ideal minimum mowing height for most turf grasses is 2 to 3 inches.

TIP: New grass is more delicate and easily damaged. It requires time to get established before you mow for the first time, usually three to four weeks. Mow new grass when it is 3/4-inch to 1-inch taller than the recommended mowing height.​

Skip a Set Mowing Schedule

How often should you mow your lawn? This depends on your lawn, not a pre-determined schedule. Rather than mow it on the same day every week, follow the guidelines below to determine the best time.

• Make sure grass is tall enough before you mow it, rather than mowing on a set schedule. For example, based on the 1/3 rule, if your ideal height is 2 inches, mow the grass only when it reaches 3 inches in height

• Mow in dry weather. Blades tend to stand upright and clump less for a more even cut, and they are less likely to clog your lawn mower

• Avoid mowing during the heat of the day to prevent heat stress on the grass. Early evening when the lawn is dry is a good time to mow as it allows for recovery overnight

• Reduce your mowing schedule during slow growth times such as seasonal hot dry spells

Mowing Tips for a Lush Lawn

These additional tips will help you achieve a healthy, dense, and green lawn. 

Make sure your lawn mower blades are sharp. Dull blades can tear grass and create jagged edges, which encourage pests and disease. 

Keep grass in shaded areas taller. The grass blades will have greater surface area for conducting photosynthesis when less sun is available. Also, in areas with trees and other foliage, grass roots compete for water and nutrients and benefit from a higher mowing height. 

Mix up your mowing pattern. This encourages upright growth, and it prevents ruts and compacted soil from occurring. 

Mow around your lawn perimeter and obstacles (such as trees and flower beds) first. This creates a squared off area that is easier to mow, and it gives you ample room to turn your lawn mower. 

Do grasscycling. Grasscycling is when you leave grass clippings on the lawn after you mow. This saves time and cost by eliminating bagging, and it returns nutrients to the lawn.

Types of Lawn Mowers

If you're in the market for a new lawn mower, consider the various types and their different features and benefits. You'll want to choose one suited to the size of your lawn and the amount of energy you're willing to expend.

Gas Lawn Mower

Gas-powered lawn mowers are: 

• Ideal for large lawns 

• Able to handle long or thick grass, weeds, and uneven terrain 

• Often equipped with lawn mower attachments to bag, mulch, or side-discharge grass clippings 

• More work since they require frequent maintenance such as tune-ups and oil changes 

• Noisier and produce emissions 

Self-propelled gas lawn mowers are another option. These eliminate the strain of pushing and are easier to maneuver around large lawns and sloped lots. Self-propelled models can also reduce mowing time and user fatigue.

Electric Lawn Mower

Electric lawn mowers are: 

• Ideal for small-to-medium lawns and flat terrain 

• Lightweight and easy to start 

• Easy to maintain and require no fuel 

• Quieter and produce no emissions 

• Limited by the length of the cord

Cordless Lawn Mower

Cordless lawn mowers are: 

• Ideal for small-to-medium lawns and flat terrain  

• Lightweight and easy to start • Easy to maintain and require no fuel 

• Quieter and produce no emissions 

• Not limited by cord length, which allows for better mobility 

• Often sold with an interchangeable battery that works across a line of outdoor power tools 

• More expensive than gas mowers upfront but with lower maintenance costs over time 

NOTE: Some battery-operated mowers have shorter run times than gas models. Many use rechargeable batteries that offer plenty of power, or include multiple batteries so you're always charged. 

As with gas mowers, battery lawn mowers also come in self-propelled versions. They use a percentage of the battery charge to power the wheels, which may reduce the amount of run-time. Look for a model with the battery power you'll need.

Manual Lawn Mower

Manual lawn mowers (reel mowers) are: 

• Ideal for small lawns and flat, even terrain 

• Environmentally friendly, economical, and easy to use 

• Easy to maintain and require no fuel • Quiet and produce no emissions 

• Equipped with fewer features

TIP: Consider a lawn mower with mulching, side discharge, and bagging modes to disperse clippings or to collect them for disposal or use as mulch. 

Check out our lawn mower buying guide for more information on mowers, and browse our selection of lawn mowers for the perfect fit.

Consider these Lawn Care Essentials

In addition to a quality lawn mower, consider these must-have lawn care products to achieve a lush, green lawn. 

Grass seed A high-quality grass seed will yield the best results. Make sure to choose the best type of grass seed for your desired look and climate. 

Lawn fertilizer Fertilizing your lawn helps to keep it healthy, green and lush. Choose a fertilizer that's made for the species of grass in your yard. 

Grass Trimmer Ideal for weed trimming and lawn edging, a trimmer gets into spots a lawn mower often can’t. The result? A neat and tidy lawn. Choose from gas, electric, and cordless models. 

Lawn tools. Make sure you have a rake, weed puller and other essentials on hand. 

Sprinkler and hose. Watering is a critical part of lawn maintenance for new and established lawns. 

Browse our large selection of lawn care products and keep your lawn in tip-top shape.

A freshly mowed lawn beautifies your property and can increase its curb appeal. When you learn how to mow your lawn properly, you prevent unwanted weeds, disease, and damage. Cut down on maintenance time to mow and grow a healthy green lawn you'll be proud to show off.