Getting your lawn in good form can feel challenging, especially if you don’t have much mowing experience. There’s a lot to keep in mind, but there is one error while performing this household task that could cost you your whole lawn. The issue? Always treading the same path when mowing. Speaking to Martha Stewart, co-founder of GreenPal and landscaping expert Gene Caballero, explains why: “Constantly mowing in the same direction compacts the soil and wears down grass.” If you do this for long enough, your yard may end up looking worse for the wear.
Some visual cues that your soil is suffering from compaction are a change in color with an overall parched appearance, and it can also start to look thatchy. If you notice either of these symptoms after mowing your lawn, the issue may stem from how you’ve been mowing. Your best bet? Switch your route up with your grass-cutting routine. However, you may need to fix your lawn first.
Rebuilding your compacted lawn
If you’re feeling the impacts of mowing your lawn in a repeated pattern, you may wonder how to fix it. Thankfully, even if you don’t have much gardening experience, you should be able to solve the issue. All you need to do is open up your soil by using a method known as aeration. This adds space in the soil that air, water, and nutrients can pass through easily. There are plenty of aeration methods. First, you could rent a gas-powered aerator and pass it over your lawn, although this may be a pricier option. On the lower end of the price spectrum, you could grab a push spike aerator for $79.99 off Amazon, or to add a fun twist into the mix, some aerating shoes for $22.99. Whatever option you choose should get the job done. Consider your budget and how quickly you want the job done.
Whenever you have the tool you want, simply run it over the entirety of your lawn to insert holes. While rebuilding your lawn, continue to mow the area as normal after a couple of weeks. Just make sure you’re switching up directions and patterns each time.
Making lawn patterns work for you
So it’s time to whip out your lawnmower, but what should you do regarding the mowing pattern? If you’re unsure how to deviate from your usual back and forth or side to side, one great way to tackle the problem is to begin one session with straight stripes and then mow your next session with a curve pattern. This slight adjustment can make all the difference and is an easy way to switch things up. You could also experiment with criss-cross shapes or even mow in a circle. Changing your mowing pattern should stop the dreaded impact of constantly pushing your device in the same direction each time. Once your lawn is in great shape, try not to cut your grass too often.
Keep an eye out for other lawn issues that may need to be addressed, such as more puddles than usual or an increase in weeds. Be sure you aren’t making any common lawn care mistakes that can result in pest problems. When your lawn is in optimal shape, you should be able to get the most out of each mow in your garden.
