Lawn Mowing Patterns Guide

There’s nothing like going to a major league game to cheer on your favorite team. You can’t always count on the home team to be victorious, but you know that the grass in the outfield will be green and lush and feature those cool stripes. Very few people have what it takes to make it to the big leagues, but it’s easier than you think to have a world championship lawn. You’ll be the envy of your neighborhood and it's also great for the grass! Here are a few easy steps to creating beautiful mowing patterns in your lawn. For more information visit us at New South Tractor in Newton, North Carolina, serving Asheville, North Carolina.

How Mowing Stripes Work

Stripes in a lawn are nothing more than an optical illusion. If you bend a single blade of grass you can easily see that it looks different from each angle. Not very interesting to look at when you only have one blade of grass in front of you, but it’s very striking when they're all bent in the same direction.

By alternating directions on your lawn mower you’re simply lining up all the blades of grass in one direction and then lining up the row beside it in the opposite direction. Basic stripes are the easiest to create, but after you get more experience with striping you can create checkerboard patterns or even create custom artwork.

How to Create Mowing Patterns

Start with a full and even lawn. Taller grass will create darker stripes because the blades can bend more easily. You'll get the best results with a striping kit or roller but with some patience you can start to make even stripes with any lawn mower. You'll need to pay attention to your lawn and mow frequently to maintain your design. It’s always a good idea to square up your lawn mower with a sidewalk or a fence and mow in a parallel direction to ensure even lines. Most people are too nice to say anything if you don’t get perfect lines, but don’t be too hard on yourself as you're learning.

Best Types of Grass to Plant

If you’re planting new grass in your yard, cool season grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass and tall fescue will yield the best patterns. They’re hardier in the winter than the warm season grasses that are found in the southern United States such as Bermuda and Zoysia. Be sure to check with your local garden center for specific recommendations for your area.

For more information and to see our current inventory of lawn mowers for sale visit New South Tractor in Newton, North Carolina, serving Asheville, North Carolina.