Mowing The Lawn For The First Time

Oct 12, 2013

The perfect lawn is like the perfect kid — you have to nurture it and shape it well, give it the loving tender care that it needs. And then maybe, only maybe, will you have the lush green lawn that yard gods dream of.

Ok, maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but having a great lawn not only adds curb appeal, it also is creates a more harmonious home. No one wants to look out the window and see the Serengeti in the front yard. By no one, I mean you, your neighbors, and even the local police and government (they can fine you for an overgrown lawn in some cases.)

U-Haul Lawn

Make sure to keep the lines straight and neat, or you’ll be the laugh of the neighborhood!
(Image via Flickr CC/AdamKR)

But there are so many questions. Riding mower or walk behind? Bagged clippings or mulched? Diamond pattern or striped? Even with all the questions some people even find mowing the lawn therapeutic. Here are a few tips that will help a rookie become a pro in no time.

Choose the Style of Mower

The first decision to make is what style of lawn mower to use. The two most popular kinds are walk behind and riding. Each mower has pros and cons — one obviously being that you have to walk behind it and push it. But hey, it’s a work out right?

A serious lawnmower for a serious lawn. Not recommended for purchase however! (Image via Wikimedia CC/rupp.de)

A serious lawnmower for a serious lawn. Not recommended for a first time purchase however!
(Image via Wikimedia CC/rupp.de)

Riding Mower

    • Larger unit, generally more expensive and better suited for large lawns.
    • Riding mowers generally have higher maintenance costs because they can be considered “professional grade equipment.”
    • Riding mowers also aren’t the best around edges — say where the lawn meets the garden. These usually require touch up jobs from either a walk behind or an edge trimmer/weed wacker.

Walk Behind

    • Smaller unit
    • Usually cheaper prices
    • Require smaller storage spaces and are better suited for smaller lawns.
    • Can be used on steep inclines

Get the Mower Home

Now that you’ve picked out a lawn mower, the next step is to get it home. Generally, riding mowers will come on a pallet or pre-assembled. Most walk behinds come in parts in a box. We recommend renting a pickup truck or a utility trailer to get the mower home so that you don’t damage the inside of your personal vehicle.

Decide What To Do With the Clippings

Now things get tricky — will you bag the grass clippings or mulch them. Now for you rookies out there, mulching is a feature available on certain mowers. It cuts the clippings so fine that they can rest on top of the lawn.

Bagging is the preferred method for lawn perfectionists however because it leaves no scraps behind. Many lawn pro’s will dump their clippings in a compost pile to then use as fertilizer in the garden next season. If you choose not to compost, other people put the clippings in an oversized trash bag and right into the garbage. Mulched or bagged, the choice is yours.

Pick a Pattern

It’s one of the final planning steps before actually mowing the lawn. You can choose from a simple diagonal pattern or a more intricate, multi level criss-cross pattern. We recommend starting out with something simple like straight lines. Once you get the hang of it, feel free to tinker with patterns and strokes — bonus points for those that adjust the deck height to mimic a professional baseball field!

Ready, Set, Mow!

The time is finally here, you’ve gassed up the mower (using the appropriate oil to gas ratio your mower requires,) broken out a pair of sneakers (do not try to mow in flip-flops,) and the sunglasses are on. Maybe you’ve even broken out the MP3 player with a special mowing playlist. However you choose to do it, take pride in whatever you do! Mowing the lawn is like an art form — and remember, what you put into it is what you’ll get out of it.

What was your first mowing experience? Were you completely lost your first time mowing the lawn? Is there a secret mowing tip you think we should know? Let us know in the comments below!

Similar

The Best Trailers for Camping

The Best Trailers for Camping

Camping is a great way to spend time with your family or friends, but anyone who has been camping before knows you spend hours packing.  Sometimes you have to bring everything you will need for an entire week, depending on where you are camping and the proximity...

How to Modify or Cancel a Reservation

How to Modify or Cancel a Reservation

Life happens; it's inevitable. Sometimes events or our scheduled plans need to be canceled or rescheduled. Moving is one of life's bigger events, and sometimes, rearrangements have to be made and may cause a scheduled move to get canceled. So, if you're reading this,...

What to Put In Each Moving Box Size

What to Put In Each Moving Box Size

Putting items in the appropriate moving box is important when packing your belongings. Don't pull your back when carrying items in the wrong box! A larger box might have more space, but that does not mean you should put more things into it. Each size moving box is...

Moving with a 20′ U-Haul Truck

Moving with a 20′ U-Haul Truck

Do you have a 2-3-bedroom move coming up? Perhaps you have an expanding family, or you’re moving into a home with a couple of roommates. You’ll want to rent a 20’ truck for this size move. Whether you have a local or a one-way move, there are several reasons why this...

Archives