Everyone desires to have a gorgeous, green, and well-kept lawn that the entire neighborhood will envy. One way to attain this is by ensuring that the grass in your yard is well mowed. However, many think that mowing is a tedious job. When you have your push mower, it will ease your job and help you maintain a gorgeous lawn. Like many people, you may think that using a push mower is difficult, especially if it’s your first time. Nevertheless, you will realize that it is the most natural thing. This article explains in depth what a push mower is and how to use it.
A push mower is a machine that uses one or more spinning blades to cut a lawn surface and uses manual force to move — also referred to as a walk-behind mower. The mower’s blades are powered by manual strength, and the wheels are connected to these blades mechanically. When you push the mower forward, the blades revolve and cut the grass. Since you have to push them, they are recommendable for small-sized lawns. Unlike other kinds of mowers, a push mower does not easily break down. Thus, making it convenient to use.
Properly Use A Push Mower
STEP 1: prepare your push mower and lawn
There are a few things you need to do, to efficiently prepare your lawn
I. Select the best push mower
The first thing you need to do before starting your mowing is to choose the right mower. Various types of push mowers differ in their features. When buying one, you should choose according to your lawn. Here are the different kinds of push mowers.
1. Gas push mowers
This is a push mower powered by gasoline. Because its engine uses gas, it allows you to mow a large area with dense grass. They are of two kinds. One type has a pull cord to start it while the other type has an electric starter. To keep running well, it is crucial to read the manufacturer’s manual to know the best gasoline to use.
2. Electric push mowers
These are battery-powered mowers with a push button or switch to start. Unlike gas push mowers, they run clean and quieter. Once you press the start button, they begin instantaneously, and they do not require consistent engine maintenance. Electric mowers come with a variety of different batteries voltages and types.
3. Self-propelled mowers
For lawns more extensive than half an acre, these are the best mowers to use. There are different kinds of self-propelled mowers, depending on the condition of your yard. Front-wheel drive mowers (FWD) are best for level ground. The wheels are on the front, allowing you to turn the mower easily compared to other drive systems. Rear-wheel drive (RDV) is best in mowing in hilly terrains.
II. Sharpen the blades of your mower
Keeping your mower’s blades sharp and without debris is essential. Blunt blades lead to jagged cuts and can attract grass diseases. It would be best if you sharpened your blades once or twice a year. Even when they seem not to require sharpening, do a thorough inspection to check if there is any damage. In this case, your mower will always be ready for use and give you satisfactory results.
III. Establish your mowing height depending on the climate and type of grass
Many people mow their grass too short, aiming to reduce how frequently they require to mow. However, this results in brown lawns and increased growth of weeds. The height is dependent on factors such as the season and grass type. Therefore, it is essential to determine your mowing height if you want to have a neat and green grassland. You can research on mowing guides based on your lawn. Also, you may wish to consult an agricultural program for assistance.
IV. Check the fuel level or the battery charge of your mow
Depending on whether your mower is electric-powered or gas-powered, check the levels. If the fuel level is low, refill it before starting your mower because adding fuel to a warm engine is unsafe. Similarly, if it is electrical-powered, confirm that the batteries are fully charged. This will prevent the hustle of stopping in the middle of your mowing.
V. Follow your lawn’s schedule
If you want to keep your garden looking good, then mowing it should not be determined by your program. Instead, it would be best if you based it on the height of the grass. Do not wait until you have a free schedule, and the grass will have grown too long. Always check the weather to ensure it is dry. Wet grass can cause complications in your lawn and lead to slipperiness, causing accidents.
VI. Clear away kids, pets, and lawn debris from the lawn before starting to mow
It is essential to move around and collect all the rocks, branches, or other blocks that could damage your mower. More importantly, ensure no pets or kids are around the area you are mowing. This is to avoid injuries that could result from the mowing process.
VII. Wear protective gear
Wear ear protection, closed shoes, and lengthy pants to protect your ears and legs, respectively. Additionally, wear protective glasses to shield your eyes from flying fragments.
STEP 2: Cut your grass
To ensure you cut your grass efficiently, you need to follow these simple steps.
a. Start with mowing around the boundary
When mowing, the first thing you need to do is mow around the perimeter to create a squared-off area. Then, move to curved areas and around trees. Creating a rectangular or a squared border makes it easier for you to turn your mower back and forth.
b. On sloped ground, mow side-by-side
When creating your rectangular or squared areas, consider any sloped land. Do not move up and down when mowing; instead, push in lines perpendicular to the slope.
c. Cut back and forth in straight lines using a slight overlap
Start on one side of the area you have created and move in a straight line. Then, turn your mower on an adjacent row in the reverse direction. Continue with this process until you cover the entire area.
d. Scatter any grass clippings into the row you previously-cut
Magnificently cut clippings are beneficial in nourishing your grass. Therefore, where possible, leave them distributed all over the lawn. If you are using a mulching mower, it will scatter the clippings for you. Nevertheless, if your mower is a side-throwing, disperse the cuttings in the row you’ve already cut. When mowing, do not leave heaps of cut grass on your lawn, but spread them out.
To avoid heaps of cut grass, use a mower with sharp blades. Dull blades will leave the grass clumped. Besides, if you need to reduce the thatch on your lawn, you can attach a bag on your mower to catch the grass cuts.
e. Regularly change the course of your cutting rows
Mowing in the same direction every time leads to the grass starting to permanently bending over in the direction you are following. It will also leave marks of the mower’s wheels in the grass. Hence, avoid following one direction, but rather keep alternating from west to east and north to south.
f. Trim the edged once you are done mowing
Not all areas will be covered by your mower, especially the edges of the lawn. It would be best if you trimmed them using an efficient string trimmer.
Most importantly, it is not advisable to mow more than a third of the grass’s total height in a single mowing. It would be best if you gave your grassland about two days’ rest before you mow again. Preferably, you should also not mow when your lawn is wet. Wetness in the lawn makes the soil compact making it difficult to mow. Additionally, it could clog your push mower.
STEP 3: Create lawn stripes
Mowing is not all you need to do to keep your lawn looking great. Once you mow, making stripes is something that will make the whole neighborhood envy your yard. Making them is quite more natural than you think. All you have to do is bend the grass in the course you are mowing it. There are different patterns you can make.
1. Straight lines stripes
When you bend the grass towards you, the lines will appear darker while the grass bent away from you will appear lighter. Thus, moving back and forth will make beautiful straight stripes.
2.Making checkboard stripes
Creating checkboard stripes requires you to alternate the dark and light squares of grass. What you need is simply mowing over the same zone twice. That is, mow in west and east lines then mow the same territory in south and north lines. Once you do this, the results will be a checkboard pattern.
3.Zig-zag pattern stripes
Creating a diamond pattern is as simple as a checkboard pattern. You need to rotate the mowing lines from corner to corner about 45 degrees. First, you make a diamond pattern and then make alternating rotations of 90 degrees each time you mow three diamonds.
STEP 4: Clean your push mower
Tiny pieces of debris and grass can collect between parts of your mower’s engine, which can lead to a damaged engine. You need to check and clean the deck of the mower. To avoid disabling the functionality of the blades, clean the deck at least twice in a year. Rinse the blades too with water.
Once you clean your mower well, ensure you leave all the parts to dry thoroughly to avoid rusting. Thorough cleaning and maintenance of your mower can see it last for many years and save you the additional cost of repairing or buying a new one.
FAQ
Q: What is a push mower?
A: It is a kind of mower that requires you to push it for it to operate manually, and you get to have the full control of the mower.
Q: Is a push mower the same as reel mowers?
A: Yes, push mowers are also known as reel mowers.
Q: Which is the best push mower?
A: You cannot precisely tell which is the best. The best for you will depend on the size of your lawn.
Q: Is there a preferred time to mow?
A: The best time for you to mow the grass is in the evening when the sun has set. This is because, during this time, the grass is dry. However, the particular time will depend on the region and the season.
Q: Can I mow when the lawn is wet?
A: No, the grass could clog your mower. Also, if the lawn is wet, it can easily make potholes and compress the soil, it is not suitable for healthy grass.
Q: Do I need to wear protective gear when mowing?
A: Yes, because the sound from the mower could harm your ears. Flying debris can also cause injuries.
Final Words
In conclusion, using a push mower to cut your grass is better since it will snip it clean, giving you a neat lawn, unlike other tools that tear the grass leaving it vulnerable to insect attacks and grass diseases. They are also quiet; thus, it does not expose you to hearing problems.
Also, push mowers are excellent since they exercise your body. They have a design that makes them easy to push and will not leave you fatigued. Therefore, to have a tidy and attractive lawn, get yourself a push mower.
