"Correct way" to mow the lawn

[MikesChevelle]

So what the recomended standard for mowing the lawn. Length, ect. Also how do people get that great criss cross pattern. Heavy flap thing on the back of the mower? Thanks

[whoopassonthebluegrass]

Way too broad a question. What type of grass? Location? Etc.

[MikesChevelle]

st. louis mo

grass is a mix of zoysia, fesue and blue, i believe

thanks

[cgaengineer]

st. louis mo

grass is a mix of zoysia, fesue and blue, i believe

thanks

Thats a helluva mixture you got there!

[IN2MOWN]

st. louis mo

grass is a mix of zoysia, fesue and blue, i believe

thanks



If its mostly zoysia I would cut about 2.5 - 2.75. If its mostly fescue and blue I would cut about 3.25 - 3.5.

But if it was my yard I would kill off the zoysia and reseed it with fescue.

We are in the transition zone CGA. Its pretty common around here to get that.

[MikesChevelle]

killing off the zoysia is not an option for us. so about a 3 inch cut?

[JDiepstra]

3 inches will do fine. For the checkerboard look you have to alternate directions when cutting the lawn. The frist time you mow, mow a strip north, then turn around and the next stripe go south, then repeat til lawn is finished. The next time you mow, mow a strip west, then turn around and go east. Repeat til lawn is finished. You can not accomplish the checkerboard by going in circles or squares. You have to make each stripe the oppositie direction of the one right next to it.

Week one
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Week two, like week one, just up and down.

Awesome picture I know!

[MikesChevelle]

lol. i do that it just isnt as pronounced as others i have seen. maybe i need to give it a few mows to "set in"?

[JDiepstra]

Yes the more you go over it the more it will stand out. What kind of mower do you have?

[MikesChevelle]

briggs and strat? self propelled (which i dont use i like to push), has a mulcher plug, chute and bag attatchment. Its a bigger mower than some i have seen

[betmr]

3 inches will do fine. For the checkerboard look you have to alternate directions when cutting the lawn. The frist time you mow, mow a strip north, then turn around and the next stripe go south, then repeat til lawn is finished. The next time you mow, mow a strip west, then turn around and go east. Repeat til lawn is finished. You can not accomplish the checkerboard by going in circles or squares. You have to make each stripe the oppositie direction of the one right next to it.

Week one
------------------------------->
<------------------------------
------------------------------->
<------------------------------

Week two, like week one, just up and down.

Awesome picture I know!

Also, add diagonal directions. Mowing all these different ways, reduces compaction and ruts, caused by going over the same paths all the time.

[cgaengineer]

If its mostly zoysia I would cut about 2.5 - 2.75. If its mostly fescue and blue I would cut about 3.25 - 3.5.

But if it was my yard I would kill off the zoysia and reseed it with fescue.

We are in the transition zone CGA. Its pretty common around here to get that.

We are in the transition zone as well. Around here is transitions from green to brown in July.:laugh:

If it aint dead by July it will be in August.

[bobo316]

could u tell me what is the correct way to make a u turn without tearing so much grass up?

[betmr]

You want to keep both wheels rolling, not to spin around on one, This means a lot of times you'll have to go forward and back 'till you are lined up for the next pass. Like making a "K" turn.

[Newt*]

There are actually 'kits' you can get to help make lawn stripes. Interesting.
http://www.m-and-d.com/lawn_striping.html

Newt

[Gt350RC]

There are actually 'kits' you can get to help make lawn stripes.

I made my own out of a 50" long piece of 8" diameter PVC ( I have a 50" deck on my rider). Filled it with a 6x6 PT with the corners cut off. Made a tow behind bracket out of electrical conduit. Got a set of wheels from Lowes, and screwed them into the ends of the condiut, which act as the bearings, and attachment point for the tow behind bracket. I'll get a pic of it tonight.

Striping will work with just a regular mower, but it will be more pronounced if you force the grass to lay over on it's side. The different colors are simply due to light reflection or absorbtion based on which way the grass is laying (pointing towards you = dark / absorbed, away from you - light / reflected).

[Newt*]

Gt350RC, I think most folks make their own, that's why I was surprised they make kits. Yours sounds great. I'd love to see pics.

Newt