The Lawn Mower Tip That'll Help You Get The Job Done Faster

Are you short on time, but the turf is taking over? The lawn needs to be mowed, but there are only so many hours in the day. Here's a tip that can help. Mowing in straight lines and even rows creates a visually appealing yard, but to cut time off of your mowing, try a circular pattern. 

The trick to this tip is in the math (time to use those high school geometry skills). Repeating a grid pattern is a common lawn mowing mistake. Instead, use a spiral pattern, which reduces the number of complete turns the mower needs to make to finish the job. To illustrate, a 180-degree turn is turning to go in the opposite direction (often confused with a 360-degree turn, which is a complete, full circle). When mowing in straight grid lines, the 180 turn at the end requires more gas/power and time. The spiral pattern reduces or even eliminates the 180-degree turns in favor of a curve or 90-degree turn. And for those of us bad at math, even we know 90 is less than 180. Without full turns, the mow time is shorter. 

There's a bonus to this method: Mowing your yard the same way every time is actually bad for the grass. This is not to say that you should give up the grid pattern entirely. Variety is the spice of life. Switching between spiral and grid patterns is actually good for your lawn, as it reduces the possible damage of mowing in one pattern.

Straight grid rows tend to put pressure on the same spots in the soil. This pressure can create ruts or bare spots as the grass is worn down over time. Each row cuts the grass down to bend in the same direction, creating the grid effect that is super appealing. But repeating the same row week after week can scalp the grass, making it flat, dull, and, eventually, dead. This is the main reason why you shouldn't mow your lawn in a repeating pattern every time. 

There are many tips that can make you a mowing expert, and this one is easy to learn and follow. Start from the outside edge, and work your way to the center. This pattern works with both odd-shaped and square lawns. Remember not to cut the grass too short. Longer grass means longer roots, which also improves the lawn's ability to reach and absorb nutrients and water. The spiral pattern will still look great on your grass and keep your yard looking healthy. This approach also supports longevity by encouraging growth for long-lasting turf during drought and cold.