Mowing the lawn properly

Regular mowing strengthens your lawn and ensures a dense long-lasting lawn. Discover what is important for mowing and healthy growth.

Overview: Proper Lawn Mowing

• Optimal height: 3 to 5 centimetres for play lawns 2 to 3 centimetres for ornamental lawns 5 to 6 centimetres for shady lawns
• Mow the lawn before fertilizing; do not mow again until two weeks after fertilizing.fertilization
• It is better not to mow the lawn when it is wet.
• Have the cutting blade sharpened by thetraderat least once a year.
• First of alltrimming the edges of the lawnthen mow the surface
• Mow uneven surfaces on the slope using even strokes.

Lawn maintenance with a lawn mower

Mowing the lawn is not just a matter of aesthetics but also a necessitymaintenance measure which promotes the growth and vitality of the green. Regular mowing ensures that the grass forms new side shoots so that it can grow densely and evenly andweeds.

The optimum grass height for intensively used lawns

A well-maintained lawn is about 7.5 to 13 centimeters high. A lawn that is too high makes the ground vulnerable to weeds and wild vegetation. On the other hand grass that is too short can no longer protect the ground fromdiseases.A short lawn can be deadly especially in full sun and during heat waves: the grass burns and the soil dries out due to lack of water. Therefore let the green carpet be a maximum of five centimeters high in thesummer and when temperatures rise so that the ground underneath stays nice and cool. By the way: depending on the season the weather and the seeds the grass grows irregularly. Therefore always reset the cutting height before you start mowing.

An ornamental lawn can be shorter

For a decorative lawn a mowing height of two to three centimetres is ideal. If it is not walked on and there is no load on it it can even be mowed shorter. The higher the temperature the higher the grass should be. In dry warm summer conditions we recommend a mowing height of five centimetres.

Exception: shade lawn

A shady lawn can and should be raised. Keep the grass 2 to 3 inches tall year-round so the grass has more room to catch much-needed sunlight. Also make sure the lawn gets enough water when you water it. Often hedges shrubs and surrounding trees compete for resources.

Mowing a young lawn

If youlaying a new lawnWould you like to enjoy a lush green carpet soon? But the new lawn requires patience: while the grass is germinating the lawn mainly needs a lot of water and rest. A young lawn should only be mowed for the first time when it is eight to ten centimetres high. This allows the grass to spread and a dense grain to develop. Keep in mind that the mowing height is 5 to 6 centimetres higher than for a mature lawn. Only mow withsharp mowing blades– Dull lawn mowers often pull vulnerable stems out of the ground.

Mowing wet grass

Don't mow your lawn when it's wet. Your lawnmower will thank you when it's free of sticky grass and the blades aren't blunt. If wet mowing is unavoidable here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Do not stand on the grass before you start mowing as wet grass rises slowly and is not caught by the mowing blade.
• You can'tmulch the lawn. Wet cut grass puts a heavy burden on the ground and suffocates the grass. So think of your drip tray.
• Fill the collection box half full. The lawn mower also puts a heavy burden on your lawn. Prevent extra burden by emptying the collection box more often.
• Use sharp blades. If you have problems with a dry lawn don't even try it with a wet lawn. The blades will become even duller due to the impure mowing and the grass blades will become frayed. After mowing wet grass the blades will need to be sharpened again.
• Pay attention to the cutting height: leave the grass slightly longer than normal (about 6 centimetres) and mow it again after a shorter time when the grass is completely dry again.

Can I mow my lawn after fertilizing it?

The lawn must be given sufficient rest betweenfertilizationand mow to absorb nutrients. If the grains are still on the ground it is better to mow later. It is best to mow two to three days before fertilizing so that the nutrients are quickly absorbed by the soil. If youDo you want to scarify your lawn? We recommend fertilizing the lawn first and then waiting about 2 weeks. Now mow the lawn to two or three centimeters before using the scarifier.

When do you mow the lawn?

As soon as the lawn starts growing in spring you can schedule the first mowing and then use the lawn mower regularly during the gardening season (between March and November). Make sure the lawn is dry. You decide when you do this as long as the temperature is normal. In very hot weather mow only in the morning and evening.

However please note that there are legal regulations regarding noise pollution from machines. Contact your local council.

Can I mow my lawn on Sundays?

In most municipalities it is forbidden to mow the lawn on Sundays and public holidays.robotic lawnmowers such as the STIHL iMOW^® are currently not covered by the legal requirements. However we advise you to consider your neighbours and not to mow on Sundays and public holidays.

How often should I mow the lawn?

Mow the tall grass

If you haven't mowed your lawn in a while there are a few things you should look out for to prevent your lawnmower from becoming overloaded. A well-functioning lawnmower with a large cutting capacity and an easy-to-adjust cutting height is essential even if the grass is too high.

Lawn mower for tall grass

Even tall grass up to 15 to 20 centimeters can be cut with aSTIHL lawn moweror aSTIHL riding mower– depending on the model and condition of the lawn and according to the 1/3 rule.

If your lawn is already 15 to 20 centimetres or even higher we recommend that you always use a brushcutter.

Brushcutter for tall grass

If you are dealing with very tall grass i.e. grass longer than 19.99 cmbrush cutter is the best choice.

For very high grass it is best to mow in two directions with the brushcutter: first to the right for the upper half of the stems and then to the left for the lower half. You turn the machine in a semi-circle from right to left and the grass stays on the left.

With a little practice the correct mowing technique and use ofbasic techniques for tall grassTo mow the grass neatly you can use a brushcutter or a grass trimmer.

For larger flat surfaces we recommend the square method: divide the surface into several squares and work from the outside in. This way you keep an overview.

What can I use to mow tall grass?

Lawn mower maintenance and use

Thelawn mower is your most important assistant in the garden if you want a well-maintained lawn. If you use your lawn mower properly your lawn will thank you. We advise you to always use the lawn mower according to the instructions. Then you will enjoy your device for a long time. Below we have listed for you what it entails.

Sharp knives

Sharp blades are not only essential in the kitchen. Lawn mowers also need sharp blades to grip the grass evenly and cut it to the desired length. You will achieve the best mowing results if you sharpen the mowing blades regularly after 20 to 25 hours of use. In addition theMower blades should be sharpened before or after the season.

Have your lawn mower blades replaced at a specialist

If the mowing blade is not intact before the first use in spring for example because cracks or scratches are visible it should be taken to the garage.STIHL dealerOtherwise it is advisable to disassemble and sharpen the blade or have it sharpened and balanced by a specialist.

Be careful when checking the mower blades

Work Safely: Before inspecting your lawn mower blades make sure the mower is turned off and cannot be started.cordless lawn mowerssimply remove the battery topetrol lawn mowersdisconnect the spark plug connector andelectric lawn mowersMake sure that the plug is not in the socket. This also applies if youDo you want to clean your lawn mower?

Tips for optimal mower height adjustment

If you want to measure the optimal mowing height of the lawn the following is very useful: place a piece of thin cardboard on the grass and measure the height with a ruler. You can easily adjust the height of the mower to this value.

Smart lawn care: robotic lawnmowers

Practical tips and tricks for mowing the lawn

Mowing the lawn properly is a simple but demanding task. Once you have mastered it you can enjoy a beautiful and healthy lawn. Below we have summarized the most important tips and tricks for effective lawn care.

Mow the edges first and then the surfaces.

When mowing the lawn always work from the outside in. First you should alwaystrimming the edges of the lawnFor this use abrush cutteror theHSA 26 cordless grass and boxwood shears.In the second step you can mow the lawn. For this you can best use a lawn mower if the terrain allows it. In this case the mowed grass is collected on the side with the collection box.

Mulch mowing: Fertilizing and mowing in one step

Mulch mowingshreds the grass clippings and returns them to the lawn as a valuable source of nutrients. You save time and effort and no longer have to worry about overflowing collection tanks or fertilizers.

Do not stand on unmown land

Be careful when mowing and only walk on surfaces that you have already driven on. If the grass lies flat under your feet it cannot be mowed long enough. The result: an unevenly mowed lawn.

Use the full cutting width of the lawn mower

To get a smooth streak-free surface you should always drive in a straight line. So make sure your lawn mower cuts evenly with a wheel width inside the line you marked.