How to Mow a Lawn

Co-authored by Lauren Kurtz and Christopher M. Osborne, PhD

Last Updated: March 9, 2023 Approved

Many homeowners see mowing the lawn as an unwelcome chore, while others view it as an opportunity to beautify their property. When done properly, mowing supports green, healthy grass, and reduces weeds and bare spots. With a bit of practice, you can even mow eye-pleasing patterns into your lawn!

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Readying Your Mower and Your Lawn

1
Use the right mower for your lawn. Gas-powered push mowers tend to be the most common choice for the typical suburban home lawn, but you actually have several options:
- Manual reel mowers are powered only by you pushing them, and are an affordable and environmentally-friendly choice for very small, flat lawns.
- Electric push mowers are quieter and cost less to operate than gas models, but they're also heavier and more expensive. Corded models in particular are best suited to small lawns (0.25 acres or less).
- Gas walk-behind mowers come in both push-propelled and self-propelled varieties. Either is suitable for lawns up to about 0.5 acres in size.
- Riding mowers cost more than walk-behind models, but will save you time with most lawns over 0.5 acres in size. They aren't safe for use on steep hillsides, though.
2
Keep your mower blades sharp and clear of debris. Dull mower blades cause jagged cuts in your grass blades, which create brown tips and invite grass diseases. If your lawn looks ragged after a mow, it’s probably time for a blade sharpening.^{[1]
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- You can expect to need to sharpen them 1-2 times per year.
- You can remove and sharpen the blades yourself with a few tools and some mechanical know-how, or you can search for "lawn mower sharpening near me" to find local pros.
- Even if your blades don’t seem to need sharpening, inspect them for damage every 3-4 mows, and brush or rinse away any built-up grass debris on the blades and underside of the mower.
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3
Set your mowing height based on your grass type(s) and climate. Many people mow their lawns too short in an effort to reduce how often they need to mow. This, however, leads to brown lawns and more weeds. Ideal mowing heights vary based on several factors, but usually fall within the range of 2 to 3 inches (5.1 to 7.6 cm).^{[2]
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- Measure from the ground to the bottom of your mower’s mowing deck, then from this point up to your blades. This total equals the mowing height.
- Look for mowing guides specific to your lawn type, such as https://www.lowes.com/n/how-to/mow-your-lawn-correctly.
- You can also contact your local agricultural extension program for advice.
4
Check the fuel and oil levels before starting the mower. It is unsafe to add fuel to a warm mower engine, so give the fuel tank a fill-up before you start mowing. Check the oil level every 2-3 mows as well, and add oil as needed before firing up the engine.^{[3]
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- You’ll also need to occasionally change the oil and clear the fuel lines, or have a pro do this routine maintenance for you. Consider giving your mower a tune-up once a year at the beginning of spring.
5
Mow your lawn on its schedule, not yours. Some people mow their lawn like clockwork every Saturday afternoon, but it’s better to mow based on the height of the grass. Use the “1/3s rule” and don’t mow down more than a third of the total height of your grass each mowing.^{[4]
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- So, if you keep your lawn at 2 inches (5.1 cm) high, wait until the grass is 3 inches (7.6 cm) high before mowing it.
- Check the weather forecast for dry weather as well. Wet grass can clog your mower, make compaction in your yard, and make it too slippery to mow safely.
- It’s better to mow in the evening after a dry day. This reduces clumping, lawn damage, and heat stress on the grass (and you). So plan accordingly.^{[5]
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6
Clear away lawn debris, pets, and kids before mowing. Walk around your lawn and pick up any branches, rocks, toys, pet waste, or other obstructions that could damage your mower or make a mess. Even more importantly, send your pets and kids inside, or at least to a secure area away from where you’ll be mowing.^{[6]
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- Some mowers can eject rocks or other flying debris at dangerous speeds, so it’s always best to keep other people and pets out of the area.
7
Put on protective eyewear, ear wear, and clothing. Wear safety glasses to protect yourself from flying debris, and ear protection to muffle the loud mower engine. Also put on closed-toe, sturdy footwear and long pants to protect your feet and legs.^{[7]
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- Put on sunscreen and wear a hat, even on cloudy days or if it's early or late in the day.
- Be sure to stay hydrated.
- Take breaks if you're mowing a large lawn, feel overheated, or start to feel tired.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Cutting Your Grass Efficiently

1
Mow around the perimeter and any obstacles first. Unless you already have a square or rectangular lawn, your initial goal should be to create a squared-off mowing area. Go around trees or along curved planting beds, then create straight lines and angles in those areas. Turn your remaining lawn into one or several rectangles for easier mowing.^{[8]
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- Mowing around the perimeter first helps you square off the lawn and gives you room to turn as you mow back in forth in rows.
- You may want to go around the perimeter twice in order to create an even wider turning area.
2
Mow side-to-side on sloped ground. Take any sloped ground into account when creating your rectangular mowing areas. You should never mow up and down a slope that’s anything more than gentle. Instead, go in straight lines that are perpendicular to the slope.^{[9]
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- If you’d have trouble walking up or down the slope on wet grass, then don't mow up or down it even if the grass is dry.
- Manual push-reel mowers are less dangerous than larger and heavier powered models on slopes, but you could still be injured by one if you slip and fall.
- Instead of mowing a slope, try using a string trimmer, or consider planting or placing something other than grass in that area.
3
Mow back and forth in straight lines with a slight overlap. In each rectangular area that you’ve created, start along one side and go in a straight line from end to end. Then turn your mower and mow an adjacent row in the opposite direction. Continue this process until you’ve mowed the entire section.^{[10]
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- The amount of overlap needed will depend on your mower’s setup. Generally speaking, though, you want to place your wheels (on one side) just over the cut line you created with the previous row.
- Turning to go back and forth will be easier with a zero-turn-radius mower. Otherwise, pivot on the rear wheel closest to the next row and readjust as needed to get into position.
4
Throw any clippings into the previously-cut row. Finely-cut clippings help to nourish your grass, so leave them scattered thinly throughout your lawn when possible. If you have a side-throwing mower, send the clippings onto the row you just cut. A mulching mower will chop up the grass blades and scatter them for you.^{[11]
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- Don’t leave clumps of cut grass sitting on your lawn, though — this is more likely to happen if you have a dull blade or if the grass is damp. Either bag your clippings or use a rake to spread the clumps out.
- If you want to reduce your lawn's thatch, you can use a bag that attaches to your lawnmower to catch the grass clippings. You can add the clippings to your compost pile, use them as mulch, or dispose of them in a curbside trash or composting system.
5
Change the direction of your mowing rows regularly. You shouldn’t, for instance, mow your square lawn in the same north-south lines every time. If you do, the grass will start to bend over permanently in its row’s direction, and you’ll wear track marks from your mower’s wheels into the grass.^{[12]
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- Instead, consider alternating from north-south to east-west lines with each subsequent mowing session.
6
Use your string trimmer and/or edger after you finish mowing. String trimmers or edgers aren’t as fast or efficient as mowers, so rely on your mower to cover as much of the lawn as possible. Then use the other tool(s) to get at the remaining grass that the mower couldn’t reach.^{[13]
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- However, some people do prefer to trim/edge first, so that the abundant clippings created by doing so can be chopped up and spread out by the mower. This is a viable option, but you’ll spend more time trimming and/or edging than necessary, and these methods tend to be harsher on your grass than mowing — e.g., it’s easier to cut the grass far too short in spots.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Creating Lawn Stripes

1
Do simple back and forth rows to create basic lawn stripes. The lighter and darker stripes you see on manicured lawns or professional sports fields are created simply by bending the grass in the direction you’re mowing it. Grass that bends away from where you’re standing looks lighter in color, while grass that bends towards you appears darker.^{[14]
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- Therefore, a traditional back and forth mowing method will create straight lines that alternate between lighter and darker shades (depending on your viewing angle).
- To enhance the striping effect by bending the grass more fully, buy a lawn roller and use it to repeat the pattern you just mowed.
2
Create checkerboard stripes by mowing in perpendicular rows. To create a checkerboard-style pattern of alternating light and dark squares of grass, you simply need to mow over the same area twice. First, mow in your standard back and forth lines — for instance, north and south. Then, mow over the same area in east and west lines back and forth. When you’re done, you should see the distinctive checkerboard pattern.^{[15]
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- Finish the job by going around the perimeter one more time at the end, in order to clean up any irregularities caused by your turns.
3
Take it to the next level with diamond or zig-zag patterns. A diamond pattern actually isn’t that much more difficult than the checkerboard. You simply have to rotate your alternating mowing lines 45 degrees, so that you’re mowing essentially from corner to corner within your squared mowing area.^{[16]
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- For a zig-zag pattern, you have to create a diamond pattern first. You’ll then need to make a repeating series of alternating 90 degree turns each time you mow over 3 diamonds (either light-dark-light or dark-light-dark in shade). This pattern takes some practice, and may be easier if you create a diagram to follow beforehand.

Expert Q&A
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Question

Is there a specific time, for instance 9 a.m., to mow?

Lauren Kurtz
Professional Gardener
Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.

Lauren Kurtz

Professional Gardener

Expert Answer

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The best time is in the evening when the sun has gone down. The exact time will depend on the season and region.
Question

When is the best time of day to mow the grass?

Lauren Kurtz
Professional Gardener
Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.

Lauren Kurtz

Professional Gardener

Expert Answer

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The best time to mow your grass is in the evening. Check the grass to make sure it's dry.
Question

Should I mow the lawn when it is wet?

Community Answer

No, if mulching, the grass will not fall back into the lawn well and could clog up the mower, bagging can be a bit more successful if you must mow that day. Also, with the lawn and soil wet, it's very easy to make ruts in the lawn and compact the soil. Neither are good for a perfect lawn or strong grass.

Warnings

To make starting easy and safe, only start the lawnmower on a sidewalk, driveway, or other solid ground.

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Keep pets and children away from the area being mowed and the operating lawnmower.

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Choose hearing protection carefully. While you want to protect yourself from the noise of a gas-powered motor, you also do not want to be so cut off from sound that you are unaware of your surroundings. A quality earplug set, which offers protection while allowing in warning sounds, such as a car horn or a person shouting, is ideal.

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Powered lawnmowers are dangerous equipment. Operated improperly, they can cause serious injury, including death.

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Read the manufacturer's instructions. Understand the mower's power, functions, and limitations. Understand its safety devices, how they work, and how they must be maintained. Understand how safe operation is distinct from unsafe operation.

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Be particularly aware when pulling the mower toward yourself, so that you do not trip or fall and pull the mower on top on you. Rather than pulling the mower toward you, consider standing to the non-discharge side of the mower, and then walking forward while pulling the mower alongside.

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Always wear hearing and eye protection and tough shoes while mowing. Professional lawn care experts wear long work pants and light, long-sleeved shirts to protect them from power equipment, debris, sun exposure, and insects.

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If your blade becomes clogged with clippings or other debris, do not use your hands to free the blade. Instead, turn the mower off and use water from a garden hose to dislodge the blade of a gasoline-powered mower. Even if the mower is off, the blade may start spinning once the clog is removed. This is due to pent-up torque in the engine.

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Use safety glasses to protect your eyes from flying debris. Wrap around versions are ideal. Even though modern mowers are designed to keep this to a minimum, there is always the chance of this happening.

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Listening to a portable music device, like an iPod, while mowing is a bad choice. While the earphones might block sound, listening to such a device provides a dangerous mental distraction at a time when total focus is required to properly control dangerous power machinery.

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