By Shawna Krautheim
While fertilizer, water and weed control will do wonders for growing a lush lawn, proper mowing will strengthen yours more than you can imagine. Because mowing helps reduce weeds, better withstand draught, and improve the unity and texture of your lawn, proper mowing techniques will strengthen the grass, helping your lawn to help itself. But before you go rushing off to buy a new mower, remember that one of the most important aspects of any project is ensuring that you have the proper tools for the job.One of the most common lawn maintenance questions involves the mower. At some point, almost everyone wonders, "What kind of lawnmower do I need to cut my grass?" While some might say, "A lawnmower is a lawnmower," do not be caught up in this common misconception. There are different lawnmowers for different jobs, all of which we will discuss within the next few paragraphs.
There are many things to take into consideration when you go to look into potentially buying a new lawnmower. Anyone who has ever fought with a stubborn mower will tell you that not only is it important to take into account such things as power, cost, and what safety features the machine has, but you will also want to consider the weight of the mower, how difficult or easy it is to start, the tool's handling and maneuverability, and what you will have to do to dispose of your lawn clippings. All of these aspects will help to not only ease your pocket book, but your back as well.
Push reel lawnmowers are ideal for those who have a very small yard and who seek to maintain the ultimate environmentally-friendly lawn. Cutting with a scissor-like action, push reel mowers work with rotating blades which move over a single stationary blade. While they are easy on the wallet and easy on the ozone layer, they can be problematic if you have a large lawn, lots of hills or a bad back.
If your lawn is comprised of bluegrass, fescue or another grass that does better when cut longer than 2 inches in length, a gas or electric-powered rotary motor is the best bet for your needs. Cutting with a circular blade that rotates beneath a protective housing, these mowers work well on a larger standard lawn. If you have a larger-scaled lawn or a lot of hilly areas, the best thing to do is invest a little extra and purchase a self-propelled mower - your arms, legs, and back will thank you in the long run.
For years, mowing the lawn meant not only cutting the grass, but also spending a good portion of your time raking and disposing of the cuttings. Fortunately, this has become a thing of the past - many modern mowers have attachable bags or, even better, you may wish to invest in a mulching mower. Mulching mowers not only eliminate the need for raking and disposing of lawn waste, but also fertilize the lawn by adding valuable nutrients when clippings are cut up so fine that they are absorbed back into the lawn.
For those with large lawns, with grass that is best kept at lengths of 2 inches or less, a gas-powered reel mower is ideal. This works well on grasses such as Bermuda or any kind of bent grass or can also be beneficial in cases where lawns are cut in decorative patterns. Again, if dealing with a lot of trees, flowerbeds or hills, you may wish to invest in a self-propelled motor, to save having to strong-arm your mower around difficult-to-cut areas.
Taking the additional time to shop for the right lawnmower will pay off in the end, resulting in a lush and gorgeous lawn. Healthy lawns thrive, forcing out weeds and maintaining better during periods of drought. Whatever your lawn consists of, there is a mower that will work well for the job. Take the time and find the perfect one - you’ll be glad that you did.
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