Did you know that 81% of homeowners in the U.S. have a lawn? What’s more, 79% of Americans consider a lawn a crucial factor when buying or renting a home.
If you’ve purchased a new home with a sizeable yard, congratulations! You are living the dream of many Americans.
However, a lawn becomes an enviable possession if it’s in the best state. For a new homeowner, taking care of a yard might feel like a daunting task. Yet, you can’t do without it.
Are you a new homeowner with zilch knowledge about mowing lawns? Here are mowing tips for first-timers like you.
1. Pick the Right Time
Being a new homeowner is exciting! You probably want to do everything at a go to make your home inviting. When it comes to lawn mowing, choosing the right time is one of the lawn mowing tips that you can’t afford to ignore.
Avoid mowing right after rainfall as you risk slipping and sustaining injuries. Besides, damp grass is prone to diseases. Early mornings or rainstorm periods are therefore not ideal for mowing.
Mowing during summer when the afternoons are quite hot can stress your lawn. Your body might also undergo unnecessary strain due to the heat. It would help if you also restrained from mowing in the dark as reduced visibility can potentially cause injuries and other costly mishaps.
So, when to mow? The best time to mow is during the early evenings or late afternoons when the heat has subsided. The type of grass in your yard will determine the frequency of mowing.
2. Choose the Right Lawn Mower
A lawnmower is probably the last thing you could think of when budgeting for your new home. For an appealing exterior, a lawn mower is an essential consideration. The lawnmower you invest in depends mainly on your home’s size.
A reel mower is one type of lawnmower that doesn’t need a power source. The advanced ones are light enough to push and are eco-friendly. However, they aren’t sufficient for long grass and twigs. You’ll need to mow more frequently to prevent your grass from overgrowing.
The cordless electric mower is a popular lawnmower that gives homeowners the flexibility of moving around the yard without the risk of running over cords. This mower uses rechargeable batteries. They can be an ideal option if your home sits on land that’s less than a third of an acre.
A gas-powered mower can be an ideal option for a large area with long grass. You can either go for the riding mowers or walk-behind rotary. Other than being expensive, the gas-powered mowers produce exhaust fumes and noise.
3. Safety First
A recent report by the Consumer Product Safety Commission shows that at least 80,000 people are taken to the emergency room every year due to lawn mower injuries. Worse still, 70% of these accidents involve children below five years.
It is crucial to ensure that you’ve maintained the utmost safety before embarking on lawn mowing.
You can prevent a significant part of these accidents by following safety guides. Start by reading the user manual. Manufacturers often indicate the safety features, and understanding them is the first step towards ensuring that you’re safe.
Proper maintenance of your mower is among the mowing tips critical to your safety. Before using the mower, confirm the cutting deck doesn’t have any stuck debris. Check the shields and guards to ensure that they don’t have any damages.
Don’t forget to have your personal protective equipment. Consider eye, ear, leg, and foot protection.
If you don’t have the safety equipment or knowledge on how to go about the whole process, hire a lawn mowing company. You’ll be at peace, knowing that professionals will mow your lawn to perfection.
4. Prepare for Mowing
Before starting your mower, go through the yard to clear it of any debris. Pick any sticks, rocks, toys, or dog bones that might be lying on the field. These items can be hazardous when struck by a mower blade.
Running over such things when mowing can dull the sharp edges of your mower blade. During this process, mark obstacles such as stumps and exposed tree roots to avoid running into them when mowing. The engine and blade could be damaged permanently if you struck those obstacles.
One of the mowing tips that you don’t want to miss when preparing for lawn mowing is filling up your gas tank. Running out of lawnmower gas when you’re working on the yard is frustrating. Besides, you risk ignition if you refuel a hot engine as gas might have slipped on the sides.
5. Weed and Feed Your Lawn
Diseases and weeds can ruin the appeal of your lawn. Failure to take care of your lawn can leave it looking brown instead of green. You can use pre-emergent herbicides to prevent weeds from germinating.
If your lawn already has weeds, look for other herbicides. You can also consider hand-pulling the weeds. Regular mowing, fertilizing, and watering the lawn can help you avoid weeds. Putting fertilizers on your lawn ensures that it is getting enough nutrients, especially during summer, when the weather isn’t encouraging.
Keep watering your lawn, especially during the summer heat, where your grass is at risk of becoming brittle and brownish. The best time to water your lawn is in the morning to allow maximum absorption. The amount of water necessary will depend on the type of soil, the grass, and the season.
Mowing Tips to Guide New Homeowners
Many homeowners don’t know how to properly mow the lawn. Unfortunately, trial and error in lawn mowing can be potentially risky besides hindering the aesthetic aspect of your home’s exterior.
With several lawn mowing tips, new homeowners will have a head start in mowing.
While the idea of DIY in mowing seems exciting, you can consider hiring professionals to mow your lawn. You’ll save yourself the pressure of preparing your yard and mowing, which is not often an easy job.
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