Having a lawn mower is one thing, but knowing how to use it properly is another. I know many people would scoff at the idea of being told how to operate a mower they’ve been using their entire life, but there are some tips, tricks, and accessories you can incorporate into your current setup that will make a big difference. This article will be taking a closer look at some of the best lawn mower accessories and tips. Let’s dive right in…
Best Accessories
These tools will help your lawn look better than it ever has, and give you some extra help in the maintenance process.
Lawn Rollers
These are essentially heavy cylinders that you roll over the ground in order to press down bumps and imperfections, or press seeds further into the dirt. Lawn Rollers give an extra manicured look to your lawn, and can be purchased quite cheaply. There are a variety of different kinds for both residential and commercial use. For the everyday homeowner the best lawn roller is going to be constructed of plastic, and pushed in the same manner as a lawn mower. One of our recommendations is the Brinly PRC-24BH, simply fill the interior with water using a hose, and you are ready to roll. One thing to keep in mind is that the filled lawn roller will be very heavy ~270 pounds, so make sure to fill it in a place where you then have easy access to the area of lawn that needs to be rolled.
Mulching Blades
If you didn’t know, mulching is when the lawn mower finely pulverises the grass and then allows it to fall back on the lawn. This is very healthy for the lawn, because it acts like fertilizer. In order to mulch you simply have to have a mulching blade on your mower. Mulching blades are constructed in such a way that they trap and slice grass better. Some mowers have mulching blades, and for others you will have to replace the existing blades with mulching blades. We recommend Oregon 95-605 G3 Gator Blades. These blades are tough, and feature a design that allows them to rip through thick grass like nothing else. They are the most popular blades on Amazon for a reason-they get the job done.
Lawn Mowing Tips
This tips will keep your mower operating smoothly, and your lawn looking better than ever. If there is something you want addressed that we did not cover just let us know, and we will try to write an article that caters toward that topic.
- Sharpen your lawn mower blades: It is easy to tell if your lawn mower blades are dull based on how the cut ends of the grass look. If they are torn and very jagged then that means the blade is tearing them vs. cutting through them as it should be doing. Many people ask how to sharpen lawn mower blades thinking that that is the best option, but they don’t realize you can easily and cheaply buy replacement blades. For example, a 3 pack of the best lawn mower blades (Oregon 95-605 G3 Gator Blades) will only cost twenty five bucks! You’ll notice the difference in how your lawn looks, and how your mower operates.
Best Lawn Mower Brands
This is a loaded question and everyone will have something to say. We believe that Honda and Snapper are the two best brands on the market currently. Honda especially produces some of the most reliable machines out there. They have quality engines that pull from Honda’s automotive background, solid components, and a clean cut. Snapper mowers are revered by us for their extreme power and innovative suction technology (sucks all the grass clippings into rear discharge bag). If you have a brand that you would like to argue for then let us know in the comments.
Lawn Care Tips
- Grass Seed: Make sure that you buy the proper variety of grass seed There are two categories that grass seed can fall into “warm season” and “cold season” seed. It is important that you pick seed that aligns with the climate in your state. For example, the best grass seed in a state in the northeast that experiences a lot of cold (eg. Boston) would choose a “cold season” grass like “Kentucky bluegrass”, which is known for it’s durability and resilience. Meanwhile, in Alabama “Zoysia grass” may be a more popular “warm season” pick.
- Fertilize: You should ideally be fertilizing 4 times per year. There are some important things you should know. It is better to use fertilizer granules than spray. Changing wind and weather conditions make sprayed fertilizer hard to apply as a beginner. Also, ensure that one of the times (out of the four total) that you fertilize you use manure. This may seem gross, but it is incredibly healthy for the grass.
- Weed Removal: Regardless of what some people may think, weeds are actually not a major health problem for the lawn. They are definitely unsightly though, and for your pride we recommend getting rid of them. You can opt to go the toxic weedkiller route or the all natural route. Bearing both of these options in mind, it might be better to manually uproot the weed if you have time-this way you ensure the plant can’t take root again. If you choose to use liquid weedkillers then be very careful when you are applying them. The chemicals are extremely dangerous to humans. If such an unnatural approach bothers you then consider using white vinegar to kill the weeds.
Final Thoughts
I hope you enjoyed hearing about the best lawn mower accessories, and learning some easy tips for maintaining a beautiful lawn. Following the above outlined advice will help take your lawn to the next level, and make your neighbors envious. Make sure you use this information wisely. As usual we welcome any comments or suggestions, and recommend you check out some of our other articles and review content. Merry Mowing!