With spring just around the corner, it will soon be time for green-fingered homeowners to start maintaining their lawns and gardens again.
The benefits of having your own lawn are plentiful; in fact, a Natural Papa article lists twelve health benefits of having a well-maintained lawn and garden, including physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.
How can you keep your lawn lush and healthy this year to make the very most of it? Here are some tips on when and how to mow your lawn.
Optimum length is everything
If you are wondering how often you should mow the lawn, it is useful to remember that grass should be at an optimum length at all times. Once you have determined how long it takes for grass to arrive at this point, you should be able to figure out how often to mow. Remember that when the grass is too short, it is at risk from yellowing and weakened roots; conversely, when it is too long, it limits sunlight to the roots and is unsightly. Of course, factors such as the climate and rainfall will determine how quickly the grass grows and how often you should be mowing.
Top trimming tips
Some techniques will help you to cut your lawn in a healthier way; for example, it can be dangerous to cut wet grass, as the blades can be ripped out and leave long-lasting damage. It is important to ensure that your machinery is well maintained. Genuine Briggs and Stratton parts from a stockist such as https://www.briggsbits.co.uk/ highlight the importance of using clean, sharp blades rather than blunt or clogged ones that may damage the grass. After cutting, it can be useful to leave the trimmings on the lawn. Some people believe this looks messy; however, the clippings will act as a great fertiliser, returning nutrients back into the roots of the remaining grass. This is known as mulching.
Length
We have already discussed the optimum length, but understanding the method of gradual height reduction in grass cutting is essential. The one-third rule states that you should never remove more than one-third of the existing length of the grass in one go, as this may weaken the roots. Even if your lawn is very long, reduce the length gradually rather than in one fell swoop.
