It does take longer to mow the yard with reel mowers compared with a mechanical mower but there are just so many benefits to using this style of mower. I don’t think there is anyone in the world who enjoys having a power mower throw up bits of grass, leaves and sticks into their face and eyes.

Not to mention the heat and smell that comes from the mower as you operate it. These are probably the main reasons why so many people put off mowing their lawns indefinitely: they simply don’t want to deal with the noise, heat and smell from their lawn mower. Reel lawn mowers on the other hand provide a refreshing change in your lawn mowing experience and it can actually turn into something that you truly enjoy doing.

Here are some tips for getting the most out of your reel lawn mower:

1. Mow regularly

Reel mowers can struggle with long grass and they are harder to push too. Mowing weekly will let you avoid any troubles.

2. Mow early in the day

Many people put mowing off as it’s simply too hot during the day. But if you mow early in the morning, your neighbors won’t be disturbed by your reel lawn mower.

3. Perfect your pace

Remember that you are the driver of the reel mower so you need to work out at what speed it performs best. Too slow and the mower can skid but too fast and you’ll miss patches. A steady pace gives the best results.

4. Test cutting height

Try various cutting heights each time according to your grass type and mower model. Most models are easily adjustable so it only takes a second to customize your motor for your particular grass type.

1. Water Appropriately

Many people believe that this is a set and forget process. While the mulch included in the sprayed on mixture will help to maintain proper moisture, it is still important to make sure that your lawn receives a good amount of water. On sunny days you should moisten the lawn thoroughly three to fives times daily. Make sure that you are watering sufficiently when the sun is out, as lots of water will be lost to evaporation. After the sun has gone down, water less.

On cooler days, you will need to water three times or less. This is because the water will not evaporate. Remember not to over water to the point that you have standing water on your lawn.

2. Fertilize

Do not forget that hydroseeders need to continue to manage their lawn long after the grass has grown in. You should fertilize the lawn about a month and a half after the hydroseeding process. Avoid using a weed control until you are mowing the grass regularly.

3. Clean Your Mower Blades

When you are mowing your new lawn for the first time, you will want to avoid bringing in any left over weeds from the last time you mowed another lawn. So remember to clean off your mower blades to avoid this.

Hydroseeders can expect some great results if they follow these tips. You should be able to see a pretty green lawn after about 30 days.

The mowed lawn aesthetic originated in the late 18th century from aristocratic France and England. Landscape architect Andre LeNotre designed small lawn areas for the palace of Versailles. This aesthetic was rapidly adopted by the rich of England, because turf grass grew easily in the English climate of moderate temperatures and frequent rain. The U.S. colonists also adopted the lawn aesthetic in an attempt to transform the wilderness of the new country into the sophistication of the old world. The middle class did not copy the wealthy look until after the civil war, with the stimulus of the new landscape architects leading the way. Soon, in the early 20th century we were being bombarded by advertising to have that “look” and in many cases shamed into submission by what the Joneses had next door.

If you happen to be installing a new lawn, make sure you spray all the weeds and thick bladed grasses before you start. Once you have the lawn installed, you sure don’t want to go through all the trouble of killing areas of your lawn and reseeding. If you make sure that all of these undesirables have been killed before you start, you’ll be way ahead of the game. Of course, when selecting grass seed, you should always use a blend that is recommended for your area.

But if you are planning on reseeding your lawn yourself, you can probably remember one of the most popular Hollywood movies of the 90s titled, “Honey I shrunk the Kids.” If you can recall the part where the kids are walking through the lawn and the blades of grass are huge compared to them, this is what it is like to be a grass seed under a mulch of straw. Those little tiny grass seeds are lost under the straw, and that’s exactly what you want to protect them from the intense rays of the sun. As the sun works its way across the sky the grass seeds actually receive filtered sunlight. Your lawn should receive enough sun to warm the seeds so they grow, but also enough shade to protect the tender young grass plants. As the grass plants grow, they also raise the mulch with them to a degree, providing additional shade for the seeds that haven’t germinated yet. The shade that straw mulch provides also helps to retain the moisture around the seeds. Grass seeds will never get this kind of protection from hydro mulch.

One of the most important markets in the gardening or landscaping industry today, is that of lawn maintenance. According to Wildones Natural Landscapers, Ltd this industry uses 67 million pounds of synthetic pesticides only in the US for lawns, 580 millions gallons of gasoline are used in lawnmowers, $25 billions is spent for the lawn care industry alone, 700 millions is spent for pesticides on US lawns and more than 20 million acres are planned in residential lawns every year.

My parents loved their lawn. When I think about it, I imagine that they just loved grass. My parents watched golf on television only to comment and critic on the condition of the course’s greens. I’m serious — and I’m not over-stating when I claim my family had the nicest yard and lawn in our sub-division.

The thing that sticks out in my head about my parent’s lawn care is how much simpler than it was in comparison to our neighbors. Many folks had expensive automatic sprinkler systems. My parents watered the yard with a $10 sprinkler or simply with the hose. The fact is, that simple is often better when it comes to lawn care. Check out my easy to follow tips which will keep your lawn happy and green:

Don’t Over-Water / Use a Rain Gauge -

Over-watering is one of the most common lawn problems. Too much water causes much more damage than under-watering does — this is because most varieties of turf handle short droughts fine, but can be wrecked with flooding. Brown patches (commonly a fungal infection) on the lawn can often be attributed over-watering.

Most grass requires about 1 – 1.5 inches of water per week to optimally provide moisture for healthy lawns. Use a rain gauge (available at gardening centers) to keep tabs on how much rain your lawn is getting and supplement weekly with your sprinkler.

Mowing Tips

The height at which you cut your lawn is important. In the summer a 3-4 inch height is best, and in the spring/fall opt for a 2- 3 inch height. The last mow of the season should be around 1.5 inches.

The condition of your lawn mower is also very important. A dull blade rips grass and leaves it more vulnerable to pests and disease. You can check to see if your mowers blade needs sharpening by observing grass it has cut. If the grass appears torn or ripped, then it is time to get your blade sharpened. Most consumer lawn-mowers should get their blades sharpened twice a year.

Change the mowing direction of the cut each time to keep coarse grasses under control and ensure an even surface.

Additionally, leaving the clippings on your lawn after a mow. The clipping decompose and provide excellent and needed nutrients to the soil. By doing this you do not need to use as much fertilizer on your lawn.

Fertilizing

Over-feeding is another common problem for lawns. Your lawn most likely requires only 4 feedings a year: Spring, Summer, Early Fall, and after First Frost. The fall feeding is vital — but if you are in drought conditions you may want to skip the summer feeding.

Read the label completely and follow the directions exactly when using store-bought fertilizer. You’ll get the best results by following the label — remember more is not better.

Use half of the fertilizer in one direction of your lawn (like right-left) and the other half in the other direction (up-down), to avoid streaking and spots.

Other Maintenance

Aerate lawns once a year, optimally in the fall with soil temperature around 60F. This will help prevent thatch and increase the amount of nutrients getting to the soil. High-traffic areas become compacted over time and aeration is especially important for these spots.