Mowing your lawn can get repetitive, but with a little imagination and some great tips from The Grounds Guys®, you can turn your yard into a work of art that will make you the envy of the entire neighborhood. Here are five decorative lawn mowing patterns for you to try, that are guaranteed to enhance your curb appeal and bring new life to your landscape.
Mowing Techniques and Equipment
Periodic changes to the direction of growth can bring a renewed sense of health and vitality to your grass, and your new look can be achieved using almost any type of mower. The trademark patterning on the field at your favorite ballpark is the result of careful planning and use of the right tools including a roller, which bends the blades of the grass down in the direction the mower is traveling. Contrasting areas of light and dark are created as the sun reflects off the grass, with blades that are bent away from you appearing to be a lighter green than those which are bent towards you.
Lawn Mowing Patterns
Stripes
This is a great pattern for beginners, and as the simplest, it can also help to hide irregularities in the color or condition of your grass. Start your project off by mowing around the perimeter of the lawn to obtain a clean edge, and then determining the direction that you want the stripes to run. Using a mower with an attached roller, work your way back and forth between the ends of the lawn; if the yard is irregularly shaped you may need to run a string from end to end to make a clean starting line.
Checkerboard
A checkerboard pattern is more intricate and time-consuming than a striped pattern, although the basics are the same. Begin by creating the stripes either horizontally or vertically across your landscape. Once this pattern is complete, create a second set of stripes over top of the first, running perpendicular. Make slow, careful turns at the end of each row to avoid damage and finish off the look by making a final pass around the perimeter of the yard to clean up the edges.
Spiral or Bullseye
Creating mowing patterns with push mower technology is tricky, and it can be difficult to produce straight lines. For smaller properties, however, a push mower can be just the right tool to obtain a spiral or bullseye pattern which is more forgiving. For your spiral, begin by mowing around the perimeter of the lawn. Next, mow a series of circles starting from the outer edges of the lawn, and alternating the direction of the mower until you reach the center. For a bullseye pattern, begin at the center of the yard and mow a large circle. Working in opposite directions, mow adjacent circles working outwards towards the perimeter of the yard until your bullseye is the desired size.
Diamond
The best way to cut grass with a riding mower is to ensure there is a full-width roller mounted at the back of the unit, to adequately bend the blades of grass. Diamond shapes are created easily by beginning with a striped pattern. Once the stripes are complete, make a second pass by mowing over top of the stripes diagonally from end to end.
Complex Patterning
The sky is the limit when it comes to lawn mowing patterns, and once you have mastered these options you may want to create one of your own. Sketch your pattern out on paper before you begin, shading every second row to assist with visualization.
To take lawn mowing off your to-do list, contact your local The Grounds Guys!