Do you mow or edge first? Its a good question. There is no definitive answer to the long-standing dispute over which to do first regarding lawn care, edging, or mowing.
Some swear by edging first, arguing that it sets a tidy boundary for the rest of the lawn. Others believe that mowing first is the way to go, as it avoids the need to re-trim areas that may have been missed. So, which is the better approach?
As with most things in life, each strategy has pros and cons. In this article, Ill explore the arguments for and against both methods so you can decide which one is best for your lawn care routine.
Whether youre a seasoned pro or a newbie with a green thumb, this is a debate you do not want to miss.
A lush, green lawn can really boost your home’s curb appeal. But achieving that perfect carpet of grass takes work. Regular mowing and maintenance is key for a healthy, beautiful yard. Seeing before and after photos of lawn mowing showcases the dramatic difference consistent care makes.
When you mow frequently and properly, it keeps your grass thick and healthy. But when you slack on mowing, your lawn suffers. Overgrown and patchy grass just looks messy. My lawn definitely didn’t look its best when I first moved in. But with diligence and care, I transformed it into a lawn I’m proud of.
If your yard needs a makeover, don’t worry! With time and effort, you can take your grass from shabby to stunning. Here’s what I’ve learned about how proper mowing and upkeep leads to incredible before and after transformations:
Why Regular Mowing Matters
Mowing is the foundation of lawn care. For lush, attractive grass, you need to mow often. Here’s why
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It stimulates growth. Frequent cutting encourages grass plants to grow thicker and fuller. Tall, shaggy grass gets sparse and patchy.
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It prevents weeds. Weeds thrive in neglected lawns Regular mowing stops them from establishing in bare spots
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It maintains uniform height. Letting grass grow unevenly looks messy. Consistent mowing keeps things tidy.
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It aids other care. Proper feeding and watering is easier with a well-maintained lawn from frequent mowing.
Aim to mow your lawn at least once a week during peak growing seasons. You’ll be amazed at the difference it makes in health and appearance.
How to Mow Properly
To get the most benefit from mowing, you need to do it correctly:
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Don’t cut too much at once. Only mow off the top 1/3 of the blade height to avoid stressing the grass.
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Adjust your mower height. For cool season grasses, 2.5-3.5 inches is ideal. For warm season grasses, 1-2 inches is better.
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Use a sharp blade. Dull mower blades rip and tear grass rather than cutting cleanly. This causes damage.
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Vary your mowing pattern. Going different directions each time prevents ruts from developing.
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Leave the clippings. Letting them lie on the lawn returns nutrients and moisture to the soil.
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Mow when grass is dry. Wet grass clumps and doesn’t cut well. Wait for dry conditions.
Follow these tips and your lawn will thrive with frequent mowing. The before and after difference will astonish you!
Make Time for Other Maintenance Too
While regular mowing is essential, some additional care will take your lawn the rest of the way:
Weed Control
Weeds compete with grass for space, water, and nutrients. You’ll need to occasionally weed, especially if you slack on mowing. Pull weeds by hand or use a selective herbicide. Stay vigilant and attack weeds when they first pop up to prevent major infestations.
Aeration
This involves punching small holes in the soil to allow air, water, and fertilizer to better reach the roots. Core aeration every year or two reduces compaction and helps grass thrive. Spring and fall are best times.
Fertilization
Applying fertilizer gives your lawn the nutrients it needs for lush growth. Look for lawn fertilizers that contain nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Follow product instructions for how much and when to apply.
Dethatching
A thatchy buildup of dead grass can suffocate your lawn. Use a dethatching rake or machine to remove this layer annually. This stimulates healthy growth.
Enhance Curb Appeal
Your lawn’s appearance impacts your whole property’s curb appeal. Follow these tips to make the grass look its best:
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Overseed thin areas to fill in bald spots. This restores full coverage.
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Edge along walkways, beds, and fences for clean definition. Use an edger or trimmer every few weeks.
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Address drainage issues. Standing water leads to bare patches. Improve flow with grading, aerating, or French drains.
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Mask dead areas. Scatter grass seed generously, water daily, and fertilize to revive.
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Add decorative touches. Flower beds, landscape rocks, and garden art boost visual interest.
Take steps like these to complement your regular mowing. You’ll be thrilled with how great your yard looks!
Check Out These Transformations
Seeing is believing when it comes to the power of mowing. These pictures showcase the incredible shift with before and after lawn mowing:
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This yard went from barren dirt patches to a flawless green carpet after consistent mowing and TLC. What a miracle!
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Talk about curbing appeal! Crisp edging and frequent mowing took this lawn from ragged to picture perfect.
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From weedy wreck to pristine lawn, this transformation shows why you should never skip your weekly mow.
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Lush, thick, uniform grass replaced the spotty, overgrown mess you see in the before shot. Mower magic!
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The beautiful stripes and flawless coverage in the after shot come from diligent mowing. What a difference!
These lawn makeovers are really motivational. If you commit to frequent mowing and care, you can achieve similar results!
Get Started Improving Your Lawn
As you can see, regular mowing really is the key to an enviable lawn. Don’t let your grass grow shabby and out of control! Get on a strict mowing schedule. If your yard needs help, also address issues like weeds, drainage, and bare spots.
It will take some work, but the massive change you’ll see before and after will make it worthwhile. Turn your sad, patchy grass into a lush green paradise! With consistent mowing and care, you can unlock your lawn’s full potential. Let these amazing transformations inspire you to get started – your yard will look amazing!
The Topic for Discussion: Which is More Effective, Edging or Mowing First?
Now that Ive covered the basics, lets discuss the great debate: Should I mow or edge first?
“There is no “right” order when it comes to mowing and edging.”
As I mentioned earlier, there are arguments to be made for both approaches. Lets look at the pros and cons of each.
Pros of Edging First
One of the main arguments for edging first is that it creates a clean boundary for the rest of the lawn. By establishing the edges first, you can ensure that the rest of the lawn is cut to the appropriate length and shape. This can help prevent overgrown or uneven areas, which can be unsightly and difficult to maintain.
Edging first can also help prevent damage to your landscaping features, such as sidewalks or driveways, which a lawnmower can accidentally nick if they arent correctly edged beforehand
! If the length of your grass is short and tidy, then its likely better to start with edging. It will give you a crisp boundary.
Cons of Edging First
But there are also some potential downsides to edging first. One of the main issues with this approach is that it can be time-consuming.
Edging a lawn can be tedious, especially if you have a large lawn or complex landscaping features. You may spend a lot of time edging and then must go back and mow the lawn.
Also, if youre not careful, edging first can create a mess. Grass clippings and debris can be thrown onto the sidewalk or driveway, which can be unsightly and difficult to clean up.
Pros of Mowing First
Mowing first has its own set of advantages. The biggest benefit is that it can save time.
By mowing your lawn first, you can ensure that youve covered all the areas and avoided the need to re-trim any missed spots. This can be especially helpful if you have a large lawn or are short of time.
Mowing first can create a more consistent look for your lawn, which can be challenging if you edge first.
! Mow first, if your lawn is overgrown and full of weeds. So, you can remove a thick layer of grass that would otherwise make it hard to edge. This also helps to keep the edges neat and clear.
Mowing prevents clippings from getting on the surface of your edged lawn. Over time, weeds can easily take root in the edges of a messy lawn, particularly if it is not well kept.
Cons of Mowing First
Of course, there are also some potential downsides to mowing first. One of the main issues with this approach is that it can make edging more difficult. If you mow first, youll need to be careful not to damage your landscaping features as you edge accidentally.
Mowing first can also create a mess, as grass clippings and debris can be thrown onto the edges of your lawn, making it difficult to clean up.
What is Edging, and What is Mowing?
Before I discuss the debate, its essential to understand what I mean by edging and mowing.
Mowing involves cutting the grass with a lawnmower, typically using a rotating blade to trim the grass to a consistent height.
Edging involves cutting the grass along the edges of the lawn. It creates a clear boundary between the grass and any sidewalks, driveways, or other landscaping features. Edging is usually done with a trimmer or edger, which can be electric or gas-powered.
Both edging and mowing are important components of lawn care, but the order in which you do them can make a big difference.
How to Mow a Lawn CORRECTLY
FAQ
How long does it take for a lawn to recover after mowing?
Mow during the cooler part of the day either morning or evening to help reduce grass stress, especially in hot summer weather. Depending on how short the grass was to start, your lawn should make a full recovery in about 3 weeks.
What is the 1 3 rule of mowing?
The rule that helps us figure that out is called the one-third rule, which means never remove more than one-third of the leaf tissue at any one time that you’re mowing. So, if you’re mowing Kentucky bluegrass at two inches high, for example, you don’t want to let it grow any higher than three inches before you mow it.
What do most people charge to mow a lawn?
Is it better to cut grass before or after mowing?
Step 1: Trim first.
If you use a string trimmer, use it before mowing. The mower will chop the trimmings and reduce the need for raking. Do not use line trimmers to cut grass against the bark of trees. This will damage the bark, often severely enough to kill the tree.
Should You Mow before weeding?
While strong arguments favor mowing first, also recognize a few precautions if taking this approach: Mow 2-3 days before weed and feed treatment allowing grass to dry and recover from cutting stress. Remove no more than 30% grass blade mass when mowing to avoid stunting growth.
Should I Mow before or after weed treatment?
Whether you mow before or after applying weed and feed treatment, allow 2-3 days of dry conditions before the other step. This enables adequate foliar uptake and soil activation of products before mowing might whisk some granules away or disrupt leaf absorption.
When should I mowing grass first?
If mowing first, the same dry period allows herbicide and fertilizer ingredients to adhere to freshly cut grass. When mowing after treatment, wait at least 72 hours before cutting grass again. This allows granules to bind firmly to leaf tissue and visible indicators to emerge showing coverage uniformity.
Should I mowing first?
But daily growth surges necessitate frequent cutting to maintain a neat appearance. By mowing first when conditions allow proper timing, you avoid postponing mowing repeatedly while waiting through days of heavy rainfall or morning dew awaiting dryness suitable for weed and feed application. This prevents grass from getting severely overgrown.
How long should I wait before mowing a plant?
Wait 72 hours between application and mowing. This enables drying and adherence to plant tissue for intake through leaves and roots. Allow 24 hours before watering so rain doesn’t displace the product before fully binding. Weather delays may require adjusting plans.
How long does it take to mowing a lawn?
Routine mowing can continue per schedule after the initial 3-day rest period. Expect gradual weed removal and grass filling in over 2-4 weeks. With some strategic timing considerations, applying weed and feed both before AND after mowing your lawn can be an effective 1-2 punch.