Mowing Tips for the Best Lawn on the Block

Grass ready for its first cut of 2016? Before you dust off the mower, read this refresher on giving your lawn an even, well-groomed start to the season.

1 Make a plan

Every yard comes with its own mowing obstacles, so before you start, take a minute to determine the best strategy. Lots of trees and flower beds dotting your yardscape? Consider trimming the edges before you start on the open spaces. Plan for plenty of border space around gardens and non-grass landscaped sections so you're not trampling newly bloomed flowers.

2 Clear out any debris

Before you fire up your mower, make a pass through the yard and remove anything that's not grass: sticks, rocks, and wayward golf balls. Not only will this keep you out of the ER, the blades on your mower will remain sharp through fall.

3 Check your equipment

Dull blades are like kryptonite to an otherwise healthy yard: You'll be wasting your time with a poor cut, and you could seriously harm your grass. That's because dull blades rip and tear at your lawn, making it vulnerable to pests and disease. Check for sharpness before you fire up the mower.

4 Get the best tool for the job

Lawncare technology has advanced considerably in recent years, so if you're looking to upgrade your lawn mower, now's a good time. EGO's foldable Power+ lawn mower is the first lithium-ion-powered electric mower with the torque of a traditional gas-powered machine. Ditching the engine for a 56-volt rechargeable battery means you can leave the noise and gasoline smell behind.

5 Never cut too short

Cutting your lawn too short will thin it out, and it makes your lawn vulnerable to changes in temperature and weed invasion. And while it's tempting to make mowing your lawn a weekly ritual, you can't set your watch to grass' growing speed. Rain, climate, and grass types are just a few variables that determine the speed at which those blades shoot up. That said, a few simple guidelines remain the same: When setting your mower height, aim to trim off no more than a third of the length of the grass. If you're dealing with a cool-weather grass such as Fescue or Rye, try to chop the plant at two- to three-inch range. Warm-weather grasses, like Bermuda, thrive around one inch.

6 Only mow when the grass is dry

Mowing just after a rainstorm or too early in the morning is a surefire way to give your lawn an uneven cut. When grass is wet, the blades tend to bend over and clump up, leading to irregular lengths. Mowing wet grass can also clog up your mower and dull the blades. Dry grass, on the other hand, stands up straight, yielding a nice even cut that won't mat up during mulching.

7 Take your time

The grill is hot, the days are long, and the weather is fine. Mowing the lawn might not be your favorite activity come summer, but taking extra care when cutting the grass makes all the difference when it comes to maintaining a healthy lawn. Speeding around will lead to an uneven cut, so opt for a moderate walking pace — about the speed you'd push a grocery cart through the aisle.

8 Mulch as you mow

Mulching grass clippings is a great source to return nutrients and nitrogen to your lawn, and since the cut ends are about 85 percent water, they decompose quickly. If you're working with a side-discharging mower, direct the clippings toward the side you've already mowed. The EGO Power+'s three-in-one functionality offers superior mulching, rear bagging, and side discharge.

9 Switch up your mowing pattern

They say variety is the spice of life. Turns out, it's also the key to a gorgeous lawn. Grass tends to grow in the direction it's cut, creating a grain-like effect. Alternating your mowing pattern helps keep grass growing upright and healthy. Switching up your mowing pattern also helps prevent ruts created by the wheels of the mower.

Trying for that big league outfield look? It's easier than you might think. To mow a checkerboard into your lawn, mow the border, then make north-south passes. Next, make passes in the east-west direction (or whichever way is opposite). Since grass faces the direction it was last cut, it'll naturally settle into a checkerboard look. Welcome to your very own field of dreams.