If you want to have a he althy and dense lawn carpet for the long term, you can't avoid mowing the lawn regularly and correctly. In a clear summary, we will give you some tips on how to mow your lawn correctly.
How should you mow the lawn correctly?
Proper lawn mowing includes frequent mowing depending on the season, the correct cutting height (usable lawn: 3-5 cm, ornamental lawn: 2-4 cm), mowing when it is dry and sharp knife blades on the lawn mower. Ideal mowing times are between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.
How often should I mow the lawn?
The frequency of mowing the lawn depends on the season. After all, grass is a plant like any other that adapts to the seasons in its growth cycle. In early summer the grass shoots up within a very short time, while growth slows towards autumn and finally stops completely in winter. Accordingly, the lawn should be mowed at least once a week during the strong growth phase from May to June; depending on the growth, mowing twice may not hurt. In the hot summer months, weekly to bi-weekly mowing is sufficient.
Frequent mowing the lawn strengthens the grass plants. The lawn can then compact better and keep wild herbs in check.
The right cutting height
The correct cutting height depends on the type of lawn and whether it is in the sun or shade. A useful lawn should have a cutting height of 3 to 5 cm. Ornamental lawn, on the other hand, is usually kept at 2 to 4 cm. If you cut the grass too low, it can damage the lawn. A very short lawn requires a lot of care and needs to be watered regularly. A lawn that is too short can be damaged by heat and suffer burns. However, if it is too high, there is a risk of moss forming. This also gives wild herbs the chance to spread.
Like other plants, lawns also need sunlight to carry out photosynthesis and therefore grow. The lawn absorbs sunlight through its leaves. Lawns that are in the shade should therefore be left to at least 5 centimeters in order to be able to absorb the necessary sunlight.
What to do if the lawn is high?
Time has run out again, it's mid-May, the lawn is in all its glory and hasn't been mowed once yet? In this case, avoid radical solutions. Do not trim the lawn from a height of 15 centimeters to 2 centimeters of decorative lawn. The shock for the plants would actually be too great. If too much lawn is cut off at once, the grass plants put all their energy into vertical growth. Few side shoots are formed and the lawn becomes less dense. Stick to the rule of thumb: Always shorten tall lawns by a maximum of 1/3 and then bring the lawn to the desired height in a second or third pass, giving the lawn a little break in between.
When to mow the lawn?
Lawn should, if possible, not be mowed when it is wet. When dry, the lawnmower's cutting blades can grip the grass blades better and the plants are less damaged. As for the time of year, the lawn should be mowed in the spring as soon as it starts to grow again. In autumn, the last mowing process should be carried out in November so that the lawn is well prepared for the winter.
The times for mowing the lawn are regulated in Germany. The times have been adjusted since 2008 and now follow an EU directive. The times for mowing the lawn are now regulated in the 32nd Federal Immission Control Ordinance and depend on the mowing device used. You'll be on the safe side if you mow your lawn between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.
It's best to check with your municipal office for the exact times, as these can vary locally.
Which lawnmower?
Which lawn mower is best for cutting grass? Whether you choose a roller mower, rotary mower or air cushion mower plays a secondary role. However, it is important that the knife blades are kept sharp (it is best to sharpen them once a year) so that the blades of grass are cut off accurately. How to get a beautiful lawn.
Why mow the lawn at all?
Finally: Does a lawn even need to be mowed? No. However, within a very short time it turns into a magnificent summer meadow. This is beautiful to look at, but not suitable for lying down or playing. If your heart bleeds while mowing the early summer flowers, you can consider leaving part of the lawn unmowed and leaving it to the free play of nature. This is certainly beneficial for the biodiversity in your garden.