| When should you Mow | | | | designed for mulching and have a plug or cover |
| Grass should be mowed when it has grown 12 to | | | | plate to close the discharge opening and |
| 25 mm above its recommended height, though | | | | recirculate the grass clippings through a special |
| heights vary with different grass types. | | | | mulching plate. It takes longer to cut a lawn this |
| When Not to Mow: | | | | way and eventually you will get a build up of |
| When the grass is wet. Drought conditions. Frost | | | | thatch. |
| conditions. Before or directly after adding turf | | | | Mulching Leaves |
| treatments. Children or animals in the cutting area. | | | | You can use your mower to pick up leaves from |
| Until you have removed debris. On very steep | | | | the lawn and compost them in a leaf bin or |
| banks. Without the correct Personal Protection | | | | compost heap but never use the mower without |
| Equipment. | | | | a box on, to shred the leaves as mulch. You will |
| Cutting Height | | | | encourage worm activity and more casts and |
| You will be able to check with the client as to | | | | cause a thatch build up. Even leaves chopped up |
| how high they wish their grass to be cut. As a | | | | can take a year to break down fully. |
| guide for hard wearing lawns cut at 18-25mm, | | | | Boxing off clippings |
| average quality lawns 12mm, very fine lawns | | | | Some clients may ask for no grass box to be |
| 6mm. | | | | used. In general, though, this will leave a messy |
| Each grass species has a minimum cutting height | | | | look and may track grass into the house - a |
| at which it can survive. For example, Rye grass | | | | professional job requires a grass box. Be aware |
| will become weak if cut below 25mm. As a rule it | | | | that cutting without a grass box greatly increases |
| is difficult for grasses to survive regular mowing | | | | the chance of throwing up a stone. This increases |
| below 3mm. Some grasses have been designed | | | | the danger to you and to others. To say nothing |
| by the sports turf industry to withstand hard | | | | of windows. |
| cutting. Unless your client is a sports club you will | | | | Non-removal of Clippings: |
| be very unlikely to come across these. Some | | | | Increases worm activity by the added organic |
| people may have a fine lawn which they will know | | | | matter (extra worm casts). Increases thatch |
| the composition of and inform you of the cutting | | | | layer. Spreads weed seeds. Clippings unsightly. |
| height required. | | | | Clippings can stop moisture loss from the turf. |
| Cutting Width | | | | Removal of Clippings: |
| For an even lawn finish, overlap each mowing | | | | Reduces organic matter which reduces thatch |
| path by a few inches. If the grass is very tall or | | | | build up.Discourages worms. Removes weed |
| thick, use more overlap and a narrower mowing | | | | seeds.Removes nutrients so some will need to be |
| path. | | | | added. Moisture not retained. Looks neat and tidy. |
| Blades | | | | Positive Effects of Mowing: |
| Sharp blades cut cleanly. Blunt blades tear the | | | | Aesthetically pleasing to the eye. Improved |
| grass, leaving shredded ends that look unsightly. | | | | surface speed i.e. Bowling or Golf Tillering of turf |
| When your blades don't cut 'cleanly' any more, | | | | grasses. Improved shoot density. Reduced weed |
| have them sharpened or replaced. | | | | invasion. Reduced weed grass invasion. |
| Mulching Mowers | | | | Negative Effects of Mowing: |
| Mulch mowers cut grass clippings twice into fine | | | | Possible thatch build up. Grass under stress. Leaf |
| particles that fall through the turf and decompose | | | | blade damage. Encourages disease. Shallow rooting. |
| quickly. This returns nutrients to the soil, and | | | | Worm invasion. Nutrient loss. |
| saves a lot of time. Some mower decks are | | | | |