10 Lawn Mowing Mistakes That Can Cost You Time and Money

Even if your well-manicured yard is the envy of your neighborhood, you may be making lawn mowing mistakes that could cost you money and waste your time. Whether you are mowing a giant lot or a teeny plot, it's essential to know what not to do when it comes to grass care and mower maintenance. Here are 10 lawn mowing mistakes to avoid so you achieve your dream lawn by the end of the summer and keep your lawn mower running smoothly for years to come.

Buying the wrong lawn mower could be a costly or even dangerous mistake. Ride-on lawn mowers are best for large, flat yards because they can be hard to maneuver and destructive in small or sloped yards. Manual push mowers are more affordable, but are best for smaller yards because they can be too labor intensive for large lots. In some very small spaces, any gas-powered mower might be overkill, and a small electric mower or weed eater may suffice. Before buying a lawn mower, assess your lawn's size, terrain, texture and obstructions, like trees. Then research mower types, considering cost, horsepower (for hauling loads or climbing hills) and torque (for blade speed and power). Balance all of these factors to find the best lawn mower that's right for you.

Running over sticks, rocks, roots and other debris can damage your lawn mower and dull or bend its blades. More importantly, it can also be dangerous because rapidly spinning mower blades can turn debris into flying hazards that can travel surprisingly fast and far. While rare, rocks thrown by lawn mowers can cause severe injury or even death. Before mowing, walk your property to pick up sticks and rocks, and note where to avoid larger hazards.

Every time you mow your lawn, you create stress on the grass. Dull mower blades rip and tear at grass and ultimately make your lawn more prone to wilting and disease. Sharp blades help keep your grass green and healthy. They also improve the efficiency of your mower so you can mow more quickly and with less strain on your mower’s engine — saving both time and money in the long run. Just be sure to leave the sharpening to an expert because the blades can easily become unbalanced. Most lawn mowers operate well with just one sharpening a year, and the cost is typically minimal.

Leaving a mower covered in grass and mud is a surefire way to cost yourself money and time down the road. Wet grass on the blades can make them and other metal parts rusty. A buildup of debris can block the mower's air filter and prevent the engine from running efficiently. An efficient motor cuts through grass with ease and reduce fuel consumption. A dirty mower can also surprisingly lead to a spread of weeds. Weeds, along with their tiny seeds, get stuck in the mower. If they're not removed, they can be deposited around your yard. Cleaning a mower each time you use it will help prevent these headaches. After the mower is off and the engine has cooled, flip the mower on its side and clean underneath the deck using a pressure washer or a hose and large brush. Then, dry it completely before storing to prevent rust. Also, make sure to spray the air filter with compressed air to remove debris and check the grass chute for clogs.

Short grass might extend the time between mowings, but mowing grass too short can be a harmful practice. Your yard is a living organism that requires balance to thrive. Grass that is too short can create a stressful environment, leading to an unhealthy and unsightly lawn. Since short blades of grass don't cast enough shade on soil, they cause your lawn to dry out quickly. Dry grass quickly turns into yellow or brown grass that's spotty. Grass that is too short also leaves more space for weeds to encroach. Also, cutting too much grass at once weakens it over time and makes it more susceptible to diseases and insects. While each type of grass has different optimal cut heights, generally, don’t cut more than one-third of the length of each blade in a single session.

Nothing spurs lawn growth like spring showers, but resist the urge to mow right after it rains. Mowing wet grass is difficult and can wreak havoc on your lawn and mower. Wet grass clippings clump together and clog and dull mower blades. When blades of grass are dry, they stand straight, making it easy to achieve an even cut. On the flipside, wet grass tends to be less rigid and more bent because of the weight of water droplets. The water makes it more difficult for the mower blades to make even contact with the grass and leads to a choppy appearance. Mowing wet grass can even damage the long-term health of your lawn by compressing the soil, which slows the flow of adequate nutrients to each blade of grass and can encourage fungal disease. Ideally, wait to mow until the grass is fully dry, 5 to 6 hours after a light rain, and a full day after heavy rain.

While bagging and removing grass clippings may seem like the obvious choice for keeping a lawn beautiful, it may actually be more beneficial to leave them in place, where they feed and fertilize your lawn. Also called “grasscycling,” leaving grass clippings in place aids in retaining moisture and adds nutrients to the soil. It also saves time and keeps plastic bags and yard waste out of landfills. However, don't leave the clippings in clumps on your lawn. Clumps can smother grass underneath, leaving bald spots. Instead, use a rake to spread the clippings evenly across the surface.

A beautiful yard complete with perfectly parallel mowing lines might be the visual pinnacle of suburban lawn care, but mowing the exact same lines in the exact same pattern can cause the grass to grow in only one direction. Grass that leans in one direction doesn't allow for airflow to reach the soil and can promote disease. It also becomes harder to cut evenly and can end up having a choppy appearance. Moreover, ruts from the mower's wheels can form over time and compact the soil, which makes it difficult for nutrients and moisture to reach the roots. Instead, vary the direction and pattern each time you mow to create even pressure on the soil and ensure your grass grows straight and tall.

Most lawn mowers are powered by relatively simple small engines and can last for a long time, but not without proper maintenance. Failing to properly care for a lawn mower can be a costly mistake, leading to expensive repairs or even replacement. Caring for a lawn mower is similar to maintaining a car. Lawn mowers need regular oil changes, clean air filters and properly working spark plugs to keep them running efficiently and easy to start up. A good rule of thumb to ensure peak performance is to perform routine maintenance on your mower every 50 to 100 hours of use — typically once a year for most people. Refer to your owner’s manual for instructions or take it to a small-engine repair shop for a yearly tune-up.