Mowing Your Lawn This Way Prevents Weeds From Spreading
While many love the results of lawn mowing—a nice, short, even bed of bright green grass—many also forget that mowing can contribute to weed growth, which could ruin all the hard work you put in. However, there are some mowing techniques you can adopt that will help prevent the spread of weeds rather than encourage it. Here are a few examples.
Don’t Mow When Weeds Are Seeding
If you notice weeds growing seed heads, hold off on mowing until you can remove them by hand or spot-treat the area. Running over seed-heavy weeds just spreads those seeds across the lawn, planting the next wave of trouble. It’s especially risky with fast-spreaders like dandelions, crabgrass, and thistle. Cutting them down at the wrong time may make things look better for a day or two, but it’ll just multiply the issue long-term.
Bag Your Clippings
Normally, mulching clippings can feed your lawn, but during peak weed season, it’s safer to bag them. Weed seeds or fragments can hitch a ride in your mower’s discharge and get scattered across the lawn. This gives them more chances to take root in new areas. Bagging clippings during weed-heavy periods helps contain the spread and lets you dispose of them properly, away from the yard.
Clean Your Mower
Weed seeds and plant bits can stick to mower blades, decks, and wheels. If you mow a weedy patch, then go over clean grass without washing your equipment, you’re likely dragging weed material right into healthy spots. Use a hose to rinse off the mower and check for buildup underneath. Even a quick wash can make a big difference in stopping weeds from jumping from one part of the lawn to another.
Change Up Your Mowing Pattern
It’s easy to fall into a habit of mowing the same direction every time, but doing so creates ruts and weak spots in the grass, which weeds love. Changing up your mowing pattern helps grass stand straighter and grow more evenly. A thicker, more upright lawn is better at blocking out weeds. In the long term, this helps improves turf strength and makes it harder for weeds to find space.
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How and when you mow makes a real difference when it comes to weed growth in your grass. Taking a little extra care during your mow helps stop weeds before they spread, preventative measures that will help lower your stress in the long term. With the right approach, mowing becomes a key part of your lawn’s defense, not just upkeep.
Daniel Mitchell
