Mowing Tips

Mowing Tips with ProLawnsAu

Keeping on top of your mowing is one of the biggest game changers for a healthy, good-looking lawn. Done right, mowing keeps your lawn smooth, dense, and green while helping push back weeds before they even get a chance to take hold.

General Mowing Tips

  • Aim to mow regularly rather than letting your lawn get too long and then cutting it back hard. Shorter, more frequent cuts encourage stronger, thicker growth.
  • Never take off more than a third of the leaf blade at once. If your lawn is overgrown, drop the height gradually over a few mows.
  • Avoid mowing too short. Cutting too low stresses your lawn and makes it easier for weeds to sneak in. Leaving the grass slightly longer provides natural shade for the soil and helps lock in moisture.
  • Change your mowing height with the seasons. Go a bit higher in winter to protect against stress, and lower in summer when growth is faster.

Keep Your Mower in Good Nick

  • Sharp blades are essential. Blunt blades tear the grass, leaving it ragged and more prone to disease.
  • Check fuel quality if you’re running petrol. Old or dirty fuel can make your mower unreliable.
  • Keep wheels stable and even to prevent scalping.
  • An annual service is a smart move to keep everything running smoothly.

Scalping and Prevention

Scalping happens when the mower cuts into the crown of the grass, leaving bare patches and weakening the lawn. To avoid this:

  • Raise the mower blades if the lawn is uneven.
  • Top-dress low spots if needed so your mower runs evenly across the surface.
  • If your lawn is too long, lower the height gradually over a few cuts.

Recommended Mowing Heights

Here’s a rough guide for common Australian grasses:

  • Green couch (Cynodon dactylon): 15 to 30 mm
  • Buffalo grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum): 30 to 50 mm
  • Kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum): 30 to 50 mm
  • Japanese lawn grass (Zoysia japonica): 15 to 30 mm
  • Manila grass (Zoysia matrella): 10 to 20 mm
  • Queensland blue couch (Digitaria didactyla): 15 to 30 mm
  • Broadleaf carpet grass (Axonopus compressus): 30 to 50 mm

Use the upper range in winter and the lower range in summer.

Choosing the Right Mower

There are plenty of mower types out there, each with their pros and cons.

Rotary petrol mowers are the Aussie classic, powerful, versatile, and good for most lawn types.

Electric and battery mowers are lighter and quieter, great for smaller lawns.

Cylinder mowers are perfect for low-cut, fine lawns if you’re chasing that bowling green finish.

Ride-on mowers are the pick for big blocks, acreages, or if you just enjoy cruising around.