Tips For The Best Lawn Patterns
If you’ve ever looked at a neatly patterned lawn and thought you’d like to have a similar effect on yours, it might not be as hard as you might think. Some people think it takes planting different kinds of grass and mowing it at different times to get that look but, really, lawn patterns are all about reflection. When blades are bent in different directions, they reflect light differently, which creates the patterns you see. Wide blades appear lighter because they reflect more light while tips of blades appear dark because they reflect less light and have shadows under them.
At Manor Home Center we like to help people take the best care of their lawns so we’ve created this guide to help you get the best lawn patterns. If you’re looking for expert lawn mower service or repair in Oakland, MD, get in touch with us and we’ll whip your machine into shape in no time. We also have a wide selection of lawn mowers for sale so if you’re looking for an upgrade, contact our sales department for more assistance. We welcome all our patrons from Garrett County.
Use Lawn Features as Guides
You don’t want all your hard work to look all out-of-whack by having the patterns looking unaligned or misshapen. To make sure all lines are neat, use features on your lawn, such as sidewalks or driveways, to guide you when creating your chosen pattern. Of course, you want to also take into account any decor you may have on your lawn before choosing your pattern to make sure it will blend aesthetically.
Let Your Grass Grow
The best way to create those dark sections of your lawn pattern is to use your lawn mower once your grass blades have grown a bit taller. This increases their ability to bend as it makes them more flexible. If the blades are too short, they might straighten out too soon. If the blades are longer, they’ll keep the pattern longer, which means less work for you in the long run.
Edge Your Lawn
Before you actually start your lawn mower or lawn tractor and begin working on the pattern of your choice, run two passes at the outside edges of your yard. If your lawn is edged by other buildings or a fence, you may have to take three passes. When you do this, it gives you more room to take turns on your lawn mower and makes sure that the edges of your lawn stay even.
Press With a Roller
Your lawn mower is good enough to handle most of the pattern job you have to undertake, but to intensify the difference between the light and dark sections, you should use a roller to bend the blades more. You can also use a striping kit for your mower to do this. This will enhance the look of your lawn and you won’t have to use your lawn mower or lawn tractor too soon.
The Right Kind of Grass
Some kinds of grass lend themselves better for lawn patterns than others. Cool season grasses (which grow mostly during spring) are easier to bend and keep that way so they’re the best for making your patterns. If you’re in the southern states, you may be dealing with warm season grasses that usually grow during summer are tougher and harder to bend.
Change Patterns for Lawn Health
You may have a favorite lawn pattern that you think suits your lawn the most but we recommend that you switch up the pattern instead of sticking to one. When you stick to a pattern, your lawn mower tires always press down on certain areas, reducing the airflow and ultimately leading to bald patches or even weeds cropping up. To ensure no area gets too compacted, you should change the patterns.
We hope these tips will help you have a lawn that’s the envy of your neighborhood! If you need more information or are looking for reliable lawn mowers for sale in Oakland, MD, contact Manor Home Center and one of our expert staff will happily assist you. If you’re looking for lawn mower maintenance or repair, contact our service department at the earliest! We’re proud to serve all our friends from Garrett County.