A lawn care routine that includes fertilization, watering, and weeding will make a yard flourish—but even strong, healthy grass can be damaged by improper mowing. For example, some mowing techniques may produce uneven cuts or flatten blades over time. Avoid these five common mistakes to keep your yard looking its best.

What Are the Most Common Lawn Care Mistakes?

1. Using Dull Blades

Unsharpened mower blades can rip or fray the grass, which makes it harder for the plant to retain moisture and can result in yellow or brown tips. If your mower isn’t producing clean, smooth cuts, consider sharpening the blades or purchasing a replacement.

2. Mowing While Wet

Rainwater weighs down blades of grass, leaving them bent and matted. Mowing a saturated yard will leave you with an uneven cut. It can also produce thick, wet clumps of clippings that will smother the grass and prevent it from absorbing sunlight.

3. Cutting It Too Short

You may be tempted to over-trim your yard to avoid the hassle of frequent mowing, but most grasses thrive at heights of 2.5 to 3 inches. Cutting the blades any shorter makes it more difficult for the plant to process light and water, which weakens the root system and leaves your yard vulnerable to weeds. 

4. Moving One Way

Grass grows in the direction in which it’s mowed, so always following the same pattern will cause the blades to lean or lie flat over time. To keep your blades standing tall, alternate between vertical, horizontal, and diagonal patterns each time you mow.

5. Bagging It Up

Though clumps of wet clippings can block out the sun, a thin, scattered spread is useful for lawn care. The clippings produced by a mower work like fertilizer and add naturally occurring nutrients to the soil as they decompose. If you notice a cluster of clippings, distribute them gently with a rake.

If you need to repair or replace your mower, contact Lawn Care Equipment Company. The family-owned business has been serving customers in Saint Louis, MO, and the surrounding areas since 1958. They offer new and used lawn care machines from trusted brands like BOB-CAT®, Ryan®, and RedMax®, and their skillful technicians will keep your power equipment in excellent condition for years to come. Call (314) 961-5700 to schedule a service appointment, or visit them online to browse their inventory.