If your grass is looking a little wild, it's time to break out the lawn mower. But first, make sure that you're approaching your basic lawn maintenance the right way. How you mow can have a dramatic effect on the health and beauty of your lawn, so follow these tips for the best results.

Do:

Tailor your mowing schedule.

A solid rule of thumb is to mow about once a week. But, you should adjust this schedule based on how quickly your grass grows, with more frequent trims for faster-growing grass species and lawn conditions. You should never cut more than a third of the length of the grass blades at a time.

Adjust your height.

Cutting your grass too short will leave it vulnerable to drying out and developing bald spots. Cutting it too long means you'll need more frequent trims to keep it in the desired range. Set the lawn mower's blade at a height that balances the health of your grass against your desired length.

Maintain your equipment.

Your lawn mower runs safely and efficiently when it's regularly maintained. This includes cleaning the blade underneath and changing the oil in the engine periodically. A local outdoor power equipment provider will help you tune up your mower engine as needed.

Don't:

Bag your clippings.

Your lawn uses a lot of nutrients to keep growing constantly. If you cut the grass and remove the clippings, you’re taking all those nutrients out of the yard. Leave the clippings scattered on the grass in a thin layer to allow them to decompose and return their nutrients to the soil.

Cut wet grass.

When you mow the lawn while it's wet, you're more likely to leave ruts in the muddy ground and tear up grass roots. Also, your grass clippings will clump together, so instead of filtering back down to the soil, they'll form mats on top of the grass which can block sunlight and kill the underlying plants.

Get overheated.

If possible, plan your mowing sessions for the morning or evening — not the hottest part of the afternoon. Not only is this more comfortable for you, but it can prevent your lawn mower from overheating and being damaged.

If you need a new lawn mower or service for your existing equipment, visit Paul's Outdoor Equipment in Dayton, OH. Serving Montgomery County since 2002, they are a Husqvarna® dealership offering zero-turn models as well as other yard maintenance equipment and generators. If you have any questions about lawn maintenance or their products, call (937) 835-0000 to speak to a representative or reach out online.