- Choose the Right Lawn Mower<\/a><\/li>
- Sharpen Mower Blades Regularly<\/a><\/li>
- Mow at the Right Time<\/a><\/li>
- Vary the Mowing Pattern<\/a><\/li>
- Mow to the Right Height<\/a><\/li>
- Mow When the Grass Is Dry<\/a><\/li>
- Leave Grass Clippings on the Lawn<\/a><\/li>
- Edge Your Lawn<\/a><\/li>
- Take Breaks When Necessary<\/a><\/li>
- How to Stripe Your Lawn<\/a><\/li>
- Why Mowing is Important<\/a><\/li>
- FAQs<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
Choose the Right Lawn Mower<\/h2>
The right mower makes all the difference when mowing. The size of your lawn, your budget, and how much manual labor you\u2019re willing to put in play a role in choosing a mower. Here are the different types of lawn mowers:<\/p>
- Push mowers <\/strong>are ideal for small lawns (less than 10,000 square feet). They are easy to use, affordable, and lightweight. However, be ready to sweat because they require more manual labor. Push mowers come in gas, electric, and manual options. We recommend self-propelled mowers<\/a> over manual push mowers unless your lawn is less than 2,000 square feet. <\/li>
- Riding mowers <\/strong>are an excellent choice for lawns larger than 10,000 square feet. They are easy to use \u2014 you just have to sit and ride to cut the grass \u2014 and mow faster. They also come with attachments like mulching kits and baggers. Riding mowers are either gas-powered or electric. <\/li>
- Robotic mowers <\/strong>operate automatically and require little to no effort from your side to mow the grass. They use sensors and programming to navigate obstacles and are an excellent choice for lawns between 10,000 and 30,000 square feet.<\/li> <\/ul>
If you want to know more about lawn mowers and their cost, read this lawn mower pricing guide<\/a>. <\/p>
Sharpen Mower Blades Regularly<\/h2>
![\"Lawn](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/lawn-mower-blade-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: isuaneye<\/a> \/ iStock<\/figcaption><\/figure> Lawn mower blades cut through grass effortlessly when sharp. Dull blades damage grass instead of cutting it and consume more fuel. We recommend sharpening your mower’s blades after every 25 hours of use. <\/p>
Cut a small patch of your yard with your mower to know if the blades need sharpening. If the patch looks uneven, sharpen the blades. Here’s how to sharpen lawn mower blades<\/a>:<\/p>
- Disconnect the spark plug to prevent the motor from starting accidentally, and empty the gas tank. <\/li>
- Remove the bolt on the blade with a long-handled wrench. Ensure to mark the blade with a marker to install it with the correct side facing upwards. <\/li>
- Spray WD-40 and clean the blade with a brush. Use a putty knife to remove stubborn grass and dirt. <\/li>
- Place the blade in a vice and sharpen it with a file or bench grinder. Sharpen following the blade\u2019s original angle. Repeat the same on the other side. If the blade has significant wear, we recommend replacing it. <\/li> <\/ul>
Pro tip: <\/strong>When sharpening the blades, rinse the mower deck<\/a> and scrape off accumulated debris with a putty knife for better performance. Also, make sure to replace the oil and oil filter in gas-powered lawn mowers after every 100 hours of use. Clean the air filter<\/a> after 25 hours of operation, and replace it once a season or after 300 hours of use.<\/p>
Mow at the Right Time<\/h2>
Mowing your lawn at the right time influences how strong and healthy your grass is. The best time to mow<\/a> your Montana yard is between<\/strong> 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., or 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.<\/strong> There is less moisture and heat during these hours, and your grass will get enough time to heal before nightfall. <\/p>
The worst time to mow your lawn is in the early morning between<\/strong> 6 a.m. and 8 a.m.<\/strong> because the grass will still be wet from the dew. Mower blades tear wet grass instead of cutting it, and the tires will leave ruts.<\/p>
Avoid mowing after 6 p.m. because your grass won\u2019t get enough time to heal before nightfall. <\/p>
Vary the Mowing Pattern<\/h2>
![\"Illustration](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_ls-mowing-patterns.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Juan Rodriguez<\/figcaption><\/figure> Alternating mowing patterns every week prevents soil compaction and ruts. It also keeps the grass from leaning in one direction. Here\u2019s our recommended mowing pattern for each week:<\/p>
- Week 1: <\/strong>Mow horizontally <\/li>
- Week 2: <\/strong>Mow diagonally, starting from one corner of the lawn <\/strong><\/li>
- Week 3: <\/strong>Mow vertically <\/li>
- Week 4: <\/strong>Mow diagonally in the direction opposite to the second week<\/li> <\/ul>
Mow to the Right Height<\/h2>
![\"One](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_ls-one-third-rule-illustration-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Juan Rodriguez <\/figcaption><\/figure> Montana is home to two different climate zones because of the Continental Divide mountainous range that runs along the border of Montana and Idaho. Both cool-season and warm-season grasses perform well here. Learn about the best grasses for Montana<\/a> in our guide. <\/p>
Here\u2019s the recommended mowing height by grass type: <\/p>
- Week 2: <\/strong>Mow diagonally, starting from one corner of the lawn <\/strong><\/li>
- Week 1: <\/strong>Mow horizontally <\/li>
- Riding mowers <\/strong>are an excellent choice for lawns larger than 10,000 square feet. They are easy to use \u2014 you just have to sit and ride to cut the grass \u2014 and mow faster. They also come with attachments like mulching kits and baggers. Riding mowers are either gas-powered or electric. <\/li>
- Sharpen Mower Blades Regularly<\/a><\/li>
![\"Grass](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/grass-cuttings.jpg\")
![\"Person](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/AdobeStock_1925143.jpeg\")
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/800px-Grass_pattern_Wrigley_Field_3520082084-1.jpg\")