Seems simple, but there is a definite technique to mowing a lawn, and considerations for doing so with a mulching mower. Here are some tips for successful lawn mowing:
- The Rule of 3: Try to keep your lawn cut no shorter than 3" (but no more than 4" to 4.5" or else it starts to slump over, retain too much soil moisture and encourage mold). With grass, the height of the grass blade is roughly equal to the depth of the root system. If you cut your grass short, then the root system is shallow and the lawn is more prone to burning out and to insect infestation like grubs, not to mention losing the battle to weeds. Longer grass height also helps retain essential soil moisture.
- The Rule of 1/3: Do not cut more than 1/3 the height of the grass blade when mowing.
- If you need to cut a lot of the grass height off, then you must do it in two or more passes. Cut the lawn using the above guidelines. Then wait two days and make another pass and continue until you are at the desired height.
- Use full throttle and walk half the speed you would walk if using a discharging (bagged) mower. The slower speed allows the grass blades to become more finely chopped.
