7 Best Lawn Mower for Tall Wet Grass. Mower for tall grass

How To Cut Extremely Long Grass In 5 Easy Steps

If you’ve been away on a long summer vacation and returned to a garden that looks more like a meadow than a lawn, don’t worry. It’s happened to all of us.

Sometimes it doesn’t even take a month-long vacation to face such a situation. All you need is a week-long rainfall and, before you know it, your lawn starts to look like the Amazon jungle!

Want to get tips on how to cut extremely long grass? You’ve come to the right place. I’ve put together everything you need to know and do to tame your wild lawn.

• Tips for Tackling Your Overgrown Lawn
• How To Cut Tall Grass: A Step By Step Guide
• 3 Tools To Cut Long Grass By Hand
• How To Use A Scythe
• How To Use A Shear
• How To Use A Sickle
• Mowing Tall Grass
• Must-Have Tools For Cutting Tall Grass
• Lawnmower
• Weed Eater Or Trimmer
• Sickle
• Grass Scythe
• Stop Overgrown Grass Before It Happens
• My Final Thoughts On Cutting Overgrown Grass
• Frequently Asked Questions

Tips for Tackling Your Overgrown Lawn

Cutting long grass isn’t as simple as pushing the mower, as you risk clogging the machine or damaging the lawn itself. Before you start the cutting process, take note of the following tips to tackle your overgrown lawn:

• Sharpen your blades: Make sure your mower and scythe blades are sharp and in good working condition. If you have a gas-powered mower, tune-up the engine to prepare it for the heavy job ahead.

• Prepare your protective clothing: You’ll need gloves, a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, safety glasses, rubber boots, and ear protection when using the mower and trimmer.

• Inspect the lawn for debris: The area of the lawn that requires cutting must be free from tree branches, rocks, and any other debris. Otherwise, your grass cutting machinery will get damaged.

• Keep pets and children away: Make sure your children and pets are moved to a safe area while you’re cutting the grass. In fact, no one should be nearby to avoid injury. You should also watch out for any creatures in your lawn, such as snakes, armadillos, or moles.

• Pause often: When tackling an overgrown lawn, remember to take a breather frequently as your mower or trimmer can easily overheat. Gas-powered mowers tend to stall out when they’ve been running too long.

• Cut the lawn in spring or summer: As a rule of thumb, never cut your overgrown grass in winter. The stress of regular trimming during the cold season can wreak havoc on the grass’s recovery.

How you cut your overgrown lawn now will affect it for the rest of the season! This is why you should carefully follow my recommendations to achieve the best results.

How To Cut Tall Grass: A Step By Step Guide

One of the biggest mistakes you can make when tackling an overgrown lawn is to try and cut all the grass on the first pass. NEVER attempt to cut more than 1/3 of your long grass in one session. It will damage the roots and encourage the spread of weeds.

Just as Rome wasn’t built in a day, this task won’t be a day’s job to accomplish. So remember to only cut the top layer of your overgrown lawn and leave the rest for later.

These are the tools you’ll need for cutting tall grass:

Step 1. Start by cutting long grass with a trimmer or weed eater. You can use a strong.080 or.0.95 trimmer line or blade trimmer before mowing your grass. Cut down a fraction of the grass (up to one-third) at a time.

Step 2. Once you’ve removed the top layer of the grass, use the trimmer again a couple of days later for the second round. Even if your grass is bent (this happens if the lawn has not been maintained for a year or so) a trimmer or scythe will efficiently cut the grass.

Step 3. To allow the lawn to recover, water it before leaving it for a week. This is a good opportunity for you to take a rest and put your feet up.

Step 4. After a week, it’s time for a second trim. Again use your trimmer or scythe to cut the grass down to less than 6 inches.

Step 5. Don’t forget to gather the grass clippings with a rake. You can always use them as mulch later.

Some people aren’t comfortable with the idea of using a string trimmer or weedeater to cut their overgrown lawn. If you’re one of them, I have other suggestions. Go to the next part to learn how to cut extremely long grass using hand tools.

Tools To Cut Long Grass By Hand

Aside from a string trimmer, you also have the option of using basic grass-cutting tools to remove the top layer of your overgrown grass by hand. The most common hand tools are scythes, garden sickles, and shears.

But how do you use them to cut your overgrown grass?

How To Use A Scythe

Stand in a comfortable position and hold the scythe by its horizontal handle. Using the muscles in your hips and thighs, start by swinging the blade with a back-and-forth motion and work your way through the grass. For the best results, hold the cutting edge of the scythe parallel to the ground. This tool is ideal for cutting grass up to 2 feet tall. But unless you are experienced at handling this tool it may be best to try shears or a sickle.

How To Use A Shear

This small hand tool is ideal for cutting small sections of the lawn. Hold the handle the same way as a scythe so that the blades are parallel to the ground.

Squeeze the shear blades together to close the blades and cut as you move slowly across the yard. Click to buy shears at Amazon.

How To Use A Sickle

Hold the sickle with your right hand as though you want to play golf. Use gentle back-handed strokes so the blade moves away from your body (no, I’m not teaching you how to play tennis!). Make sure no one is nearby as the blades are very sharp! Buy at Amazon

Next comes the fun part…mowing tall grass. Follow the final steps and soon your jungle-like lawn will be back to how it should be.

Mowing Tall Grass

The mowing process will help get your grass down to the desired height. A previously trimmed lawn will be much easier to mow, though the task will require quite a lot of effort on your part. Depending on the type of mower you have, you’ll need to adjust the height setting to between 4 and 6 inches. The goal is to make sure the final result is completely even.

A word of caution: don’t mow your lawn whilst the grass is wet. This will make it extra-difficult to cut down plus your mower won’t even work properly. If the grass is wet, wait a few days until it’s completely dry before starting to mow. (Well, we did say the whole thing will take time…so be patient).

Here’s our step by step process for mowing tall grass:

Step 1. After adjusting the mower to the highest setting, make the first pass to reduce the grass height.

Be warned: this will be a long and slow task as the mower might struggle to work through the long grass. In case the machine stops, clean the blade area regularly to remove any blockage.

Now grab yourself a cold drink and take a pause.

Step 2. Time for the second pass. After you’ve reduced the grass height to a more manageable size during the first pass, change the mower setting by reducing the height of the blade before making a second pass.

Step 3. Remember to take your time just like you did before and clear out the blade during the cutting process. Otherwise, your mower just will not work properly.

Leave the lawn now for a few days to help it recover.

Step 4. After a few days have passed, the new haircut you’ve given your lawn will look more respectable.

Now it’s time for the third pass in order to get the lawn to its final height. Adjust your mower to its usual height, which is between 2 and 3 inches. This is the ideal setting for your lawn. Now go over your lawn one more time so you can achieve a nice even finish.

Before you pat yourself on the back and put all your tools away… there is the dreaded clearing of grass clippings. It’s all part of the process.

Step 5. For larger lawns, a leaf blower will efficiently clear up the clippings from the sidewalks. A broom will suffice for smaller lawns. Depending on the size of your lawn, the cleaning part could well be a day’s job so you might want to leave it until the following day.

Must-Have Tools For Cutting Tall Grass

When cutting tall grass there are four stand-out tools. If you have access to power tools, start off with a string trimmer or weed eater and trim down to around 4-6 inches. If cutting grass by hand, start off with a sickle or grass scythe, working your way down to a mowable length of around 3-4 inches.

Lawnmower

For large lawns, opt for a gas-powered mower. An electric lawnmower is best used for small yards within the restriction of the cable length.

A push reel mower is ideal for thick grass but it does require a certain amount of energy. There is also the battery-powered self-propelled mower that comes with 7 height settings and 20 inches of cutting diameter.

Weed Eater Or Trimmer

You have the option between gas, electric, or cordless weed eaters. This tool makes the job of cutting long grass easier than a mower and is perfect for clearing areas of long overgrown weed or brush.

Once you get the hang of using a trimmer, you’ll be able to maintain your lawn preventing it from turning into a micro-jungle.

A battery-powered grass trimmer provides you will complete flexibility and movement around your lawn and yard. Corded models generally leave you restricted to the cord length and the potential of the cord catching on objects or damaging flower beds.

For detailed insight into how to choose the best trimmer for your garden check out the article below 8 Best Cordless Battery Operated Weed Eaters, featuring a detailed buying guide and giving a first-hand review of the best premium and budget weed eaters on the market right now.

Sickle

This is a single short-handled tool made to be used with one hand. The inner curve of the sickle’s blade is the sharp part.

A sickle is easy to store and much lighter than a trimmer, but it’s typically used for cutting small patches of grass. With each slash, you can easily remove the overgrown grass, even if it’s up to a meter high!

Grass Scythe

The final tool we will look at is one of the most common hand tools for cutting long grass. Unlike a sickle that has a single hand, whereas a scythe is a two-handed tool.

It consists of a metal or wooden shaft, which is around 6 feet in length with an S-curve or straight shape. The handle of the scythe is adjustable and the size of the blade can be anywhere from 2 to 4 feet long.

Stop Overgrown Grass Before It Happens

By now, you’ve become familiar with how to cut extremely long grass using some of the tools I’ve mentioned above. But wouldn’t it be better to avoid getting yourself into this situation in the first place?

Setting up regular mowing at intervals is all it takes to help you prevent an overgrown lawn. The next time you put your doctor’s visit or a party date on your phone’s calendar, don’t forget to include the mowing task as an alert.

Tip: If you’re going on vacation, mow the lawn the day before you leave. You don’t want to return and face the arduous task of mowing tall grass in your backyard.

My Final Thoughts On Cutting Overgrown Grass

When you’re dealing with an overgrown lawn, learning how to cut extremely long grass with the right tools is essential to prevent damaging your lawn and affecting its recovery.

Once you get the hang of using a weed eater or a scythe, you’ll easily accomplish the task without hiring professional help!

Frequently Asked Questions

As long as you don’t let the grass get more than 6 inches tall you can use a zero-turn mower. When dealing with taller grass and weeds, your zero-turn may get damaged or clogged. Use a gas-powered string trimmer instead for better results.

How Do You Cut Long Grass Without Ruining it?

Never cut your lawn in one pass as this will ruin the grass. Use a string trimmer or scythe to remove the top layer first before working your way through the rest. You can use the lawn mower a few days later to get the grass to the desired length.

Best Lawn Mower for Tall Wet Grass

Nobody likes a messy lawn, and the best way to keep your property looking neat and tidy is to invest in a good-quality lawn mower. But with so many different types and models of lawn mowers on the market, it can be tricky to know which is best for you. If you have tall wet grass, then you need a lawn mower that is specifically designed to deal with this type of vegetation. In this article, we will look at 7 of the best lawn mowers for tall wet grass to help you make the right choice for your garden.

Honda HRX217HZA

The Honda HRX217HZA is one of the best lawn mowers on the market, and it’s perfect for those who have tall, wet grass. The mower’s self-propulsion system makes it easy to push through thick grass, and the adjustable speed settings allow you to customize your mowing experience. The mower also features a sharp cutting blade that can handle wet grass without clogging. Additionally, the Honda HRX217HZA is equipped with a built-in bagging system that helps to keep your grass clippings tidy.

Ego LM2101

If you’re looking for a battery-powered lawn mower that can handle tall wet grass, then the Ego LM2101 is a great option. This mower has a powerful 56-volt battery that provides up to 60 minutes of run time, and it features a self-propulsion system that makes it easy to push through thick grass. The mower’s 21-inch cutting deck is equipped with a sharp blade that can quickly and easily cut through wet grass.

Husqvarna HU800AWDH

The Husqvarna HU800AWDH is another excellent option for those who have tall wet grass. This self-propelled mower features a 22-inch cutting deck that can quickly and easily cut through thick vegetation. The mower also has an adjustable speed setting so that you can customize your mowing experience.

Snapper SPX2846

When cutting tall, wet grass, the Snapper SPX2846 is in a class of its own. This powerful lawn mower is equipped with a 14.5 horsepower Briggs Stratton engine, making it more capable of tackling even the most overgrown lawns. The large 28-inch cutting deck also ensures that you can cover a lot of ground quickly, while the rear-wheel drive system provides excellent traction in wet and slippery conditions.

Greenworks GLM801602

If you’re looking for the best lawn mower for tall wet grass, the Greenworks GLM801602 is another great option. Its powerful 16 Amp motor can easily handle thick, wet grass. The 21-inch deck is also large enough to make quick work of large areas. In addition, the Greenworks GLM801602 has several features that make it ideal for tall wet grass. The deck height can be adjusted to six positions, so you can always get a close cut. The front wheels can also pivot, making it easy to maneuver around obstacles. Plus, there’s a built-in mulching system that helps to reduce lawn waste.

Ariens 915223 IKON-X 52″ Zero Turn Mower

The Ariens 915223 IKON-X 52″ Zero Turn Mower is another excellent option for those who have tall wet grass. With a powerful 23 horsepower engine, it can easily handle thick vegetation. The large 52-inch deck also makes short work of large areas. And the zero turn feature ensures that you can maneuver around obstacles with ease. Plus, the deck height can be adjusted to seven different positions, so you can always get a close cut.

John Deere Z355E

The John Deere Z355E is a versatile and powerful lawn mower that is well-suited for various terrain types. One of the best features of the Z355E is its ability to handle tall, wet grass. The mower’s blade is designed to lift the grass up, rather than push it down, meaning it can easily cut through even the densest growth. In addition, the mower’s powerful engine ensures that it can handle any terrain, making it an excellent choice for those with large yards or challenging landscapes.

If you have tall wet grass, any one of these lawn mowers would be a great option. All of them are designed to quickly and easily cut through thick vegetation, and they all have features that make them ideal for wet conditions. Be sure to look at each of these mowers and choose the one that best suits your needs.

And if you’re looking for a reliable lawn mower service and repair in Northern Nevada, Greg’s Small Engine has got you covered!

Greg’s Small Engine Service and Repair is open seven days a week – which means you can count on us to be here when you need us! Whether you have commercial or residential lawn mower equipment, Greg’s Small Engine Service and Repair specializes in lawn mower service. We have the tools and experience to service various lawn mower types. Visit us to learn more!

Can a Reel Mower Cut Tall Grass?

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A reel mower is a certain type of lawn mower that is used to cut grass really short. It’s a great option if you’re going for a manicured look in your yard. Most people will use a reel mower on a lawn that’s already short so you may be wondering whether you can use it to cut the grass when it’s tall too.

In general, reel mowers have difficulty cutting tall grass. Manual reel mowers don’t have a powerful engine to cut tall grass efficiently. There are motorized reel mowers but these still cut the grass in a perpendicular fashion making it hard for them to cut the grass when it’s tall.

• The way the blades work makes cutting with a reel mower healthier for the grass
• They are usually less expensive than other lawn mowers
• They are usually safer to use and result in fewer accidents than other types of mowers
• They are usually smaller and take up less space
• They are very low-maintenance and cost little to nothing to keep going
• They are very quiet because they have no motor
• They leave a much smaller carbon footprint because there is no gas or electricity used

Nevertheless, if you’re one of these people who lets your grass get quite long before you go outside to cut it, you might want to consider using another type of mower. Reel lawn mowers do not always efficiently cut grass that is too high.

How High Can a Reel Mower Cut?

If your grass is just half an inch or an inch higher than it usually is, you can usually cut it with a reel mower and still get good results.

As with other types of lawn mowers, you can adjust the height setting on a reel mower, but because of the way it cuts — again, much the same as a pair of scissors would — it’s best not to let the grass get too high when a reel mower is what you plan to use to cut it.

Most experts recommend that you use a reel mower only on grass that is four inches high or shorter. In essence, grass that is more than four inches high is going to be either very difficult or impossible to cut with a reel mower, especially if you’re using a manual one.

Even with a motorized reel mower, you’ll likely have a hard time cutting grass that is super tall. In short, it’s best not to count on a reel mower of any type to cut extra-long grass. If you do, you’ll have to make sure that you cut it several times until it gets down to the length you want it to be.

Why a Reel Mower Will Struggle to Cut Tall Grass

Part of the reason why a reel mower struggles to cut tall grass is because of the way the blades do the actual cutting. As mentioned earlier, reel mower blades will cut your grass much the same as a pair of scissors would. This is because the blades cut the grass in a perpendicular way and not a horizontal way like regular mowers do.

Regular mowers have blades that are parallel to the ground and therefore sit on top of the grass, so to speak, so that they do a better job of cutting the blades.

In contrast, the perpendicular action of the blades on a reel mower means that tall grass won’t be cut efficiently. Not only is it much harder to push the reel mower and cut the blades of grass, but the blades of the mower aren’t actually on top of the grass; therefore, they don’t cut off as much of those grass blades at a time. This is why when you cut high grass with a reel lawn mower, you’ll have to go over it several times to remove enough of the grass blade tops.

What Is the Best Mower for Tall Grass?

While most lawn mowers can be used to cut tall or semi-tall grass, there are a few types that make cutting tall grass a lot easier. These include:

A reel mower that has a rotating blade of 14 inches. You should also look for one that has a height that can go up to 1.75 inches. Heat-treated alloy steel blades also work best when it comes to cutting tall grass. So, what you’re looking for in your reel mower are high-quality blades that are longer than usual and a height setting that goes up to 1.75 inches or higher.

A self-propelled engine in your push mower. Even with the best mowers, it can be a challenge to cut grass that is extra-long. A self-propelled mower practically pushes itself and allows you to cut your grass without a lot of physical work on your part. Does this mean that you won’t break a sweat while cutting your grass if it’s tall? Not necessarily, but it’ll be a little easier if the mower is self-propelled.

How To Cut Tall Grass With A Riding Mower

Are you fed up with your overgrown grass wreaking havoc on your garden? Then it’s time to learn how to use a riding mower to cut grass.

While you may believe that cutting long grass is the same as cutting any other lawn, you are mistaken. Long grass is a challenge as you get much more mulch and debris that can easily choke your riding mower.

Luckily, you can use techniques to cut tall grass with a riding mower that won’t break it or clog it, so it needs cleaning.

In our guide, you can learn all about how to mow tall grass with a riding mower. By the end, you’ll know all there is about how to keep any area of your garden clear when mowing overgrown grass with a riding mower. (Find the Best Riding Snow Blower)

How to Cut Tall Grass With a Riding Mower

It might be a daunting task to maintain a yard that has become overgrown with thick grass. Thick clumps of grass might resemble impenetrable jungle vegetation, and your lack of lawn care conceals a variety of hazards.

A well-maintained yard adds value to your home, and you can get fantastic results every time you’re cutting grass using the right approach.

Here are the step-by-step guides and other suggestions for the mowing process when dealing with taller grass than usual. (Find the Best Riding Lawn Mower For The Money)

Pick the Right Time

When it’s damp, don’t mow tall grass. You’ll find most overgrown grass moist, making the task harder for your mower.

Wet grass adds to this and makes the job troublesome in most areas and poses a dangerous mowing environment since riding mowers can lose traction on wet grass.

Mow long grass on a dry day in the spring, summer, or early autumn. The grass can safely recover from the shock of being cut. The best time is spring before the grass starts to grow, and you can easily carry out step two.

Clear The Mowing Area of Hazards

Just because you have a riding mower, it doesn’t mean there isn’t any preparation. Tallgrass can hide hidden dangers, so before you mow, take a quick tour around the area to check for stones, branches, and other debris among the grass.

If possible, remove any hazards you find since trying to mow over could damage your mower. If there are hazards too large to move, mark these with a stake and some flagging tape.

Before you start mowing, remove overgrown grass using a string trimmer or weed eater. Riding mowers can cut grass up to 8 inches tall, and cutting grass over this height is wasteful, laborious work, and puts a strain on your mower.

If the grass is taller than 8 inches, cut it roughly to 6–8 inches using your weed whacker, so it is suitable for your riding mower to deal with. If you have a zero-turn mower, you can often find they only deal with grass up to 6-inches rather than 8.

Adjust Mower Blade Height

Set the blade height on your riding mower to the highest setting before you start mowing overgrown grass.

Do this, and you can improve the cutting speed and quality of the mowing process and protect the grass. Cutting tall grass too short leads to the grass being severely weakened, or it could die. After this, wait for 3–5 days before mowing using a lower blade height should the highest blade height leave your grass longer than you want it. (Read Single Stage Vs Two Stage Snow Blowers)

Set Your Mower Speed

Mowing tall grass gradually is the key to success. Set the speed of your riding mower to a moderate strolling pace. Although it may feel you’re crawling, the result will be more even and tidy.

In the end, this saves time. When you mow tall grass too quickly, you’ll get a rough cut with a lot of long grass blades left over, which means you’ll have to mow the same area multiple times.

Cut Grass at Half Blade Width

Tall grass grows in thick, wet clumps that are tough to mow with your riding mower. After your initial circle, mow halfway through the tall grass and halfway through the previously mowed area to provide a clean cut without overworking your mower.

It takes longer, but you get better results, and it also means your mower won’t grind to a halt every few feet as it’s overloaded.

Reverse Mowing Circuit

If you mow tall grass with a riding mower in a circuit that blows cut grass to the inside, you’ll end up with clumps of long, cut grass stacking up in places you haven’t mowed yet.

Mowing over cut grass clumps and long grass is time-consuming, delivers poor results, and may need repeat mowing. To avoid buildup, periodically reverse your circuit path and blowing cut grass to where you have already mowed. (Find the Best Riding Mower For Hills)

Rest Your Mower

A riding mower has a tough time cutting tall grass. Turn off your mower completely every 30–45 minutes and inspect it. What to watch for are?

• Make sure the parking brake is on.
• Check your mower’s fuel level.
• Examine the blades. To avoid damage to the mower blade spindle, clean off any dead grass or debris like garbage bags using a utility knife.
• Remove any accumulated grass clippings and debris from radiator fins, engine components, and wiring.
• Let your mower cool down for 15 minutes since riding mowers are under a lot of strain, and riding mowers tend to overheat when used to cut tall grasses.

How to Cut Tall Grass with a Riding Mower Tips

Here are a few things to consider when dealing with an overgrown lawn using a riding lawnmower.

Empty Bag and Check Area

• Some riding mowers can use a grass bag to collect cuttings from the lawn mower. Empty it once you’ve mowed the entire area.
• Check your grass is evenly cut. You may need to take a slow pass with your mower again over your overgrown lawn if there are still uncut areas.
• Take your grass bag and empty it away from the mowing area. Check blades are clear of dead grass.
• If you need to cut your lawn lower to reach the desired length, let your grass rest for 24 to 48 hours. (Read About The Right Oil For Riding Mower)

Mow Again

• After slow-mowing the top layer of your lawn, you may be satisfied, but if not, you can cut long grass again.
• Check the blade before you begin, as they need to be clear to cut correctly.
• Once you let your grass rest and recover from your previous mowing session, rather than placing the mower deck at the highest position, lower it to the desired height.
• Start mowing, but you don’t need to worry as much about excess grass debris clogging up your mower this time.
• Now, you should have leveled grass from knowing how to cut tall overgrown grass with a riding mower.

Take It Slow

• The biggest mistakes most people make when mowing tall grass or an overgrown lawn is trying to cut it down to the desired height using the first pass.
• Most lawn mowers have their highest setting, and if your grass is still too long after one pass, you can use your weed wacker to cut the top layer of lawn down before using your lawn mower.
• After using your mower on the highest setting, make your first pass and reduce the grass height.
• Wait for the recommended time after you’ve made your first pass. It’s time for the second pass once you’ve reduced grass height to a manageable height.
• Take your time and clear out the blades while cutting; otherwise, your mower won’t cut correctly.
• Leave the lawn for a few days to help it recover.
• If you have a more extensive lawn, it can be much easier to use a leaf blower, in the long run, to help you clear up grass cuttings, small stones, and weeds.
• Depending on the size of your lawn, cleaning it could take all day, so postpone it until the next day, and you can have your final thoughts on your cut grass.

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Mowing very long grass, this is the best method

Dealing with long grass can be a tricky process. It is not as simple as pushing a lawnmower over it, as it might damage your lawn and the mower. When you mow very long grass, the mower can get clogged or overheated. Mowing long grass can also tear the grass instead of cutting it, which affects the lawn’s overall health.

Mowing very long grass, this is the best method:

Mowing very long grass requires more effort and patience. First, trim it to a manageable height with a brush cutter or string trimmer before cutting it with a lawnmower. Allow the grass to recover for a few days. Once your lawn is at the right height, you can finally mow the grass in your lawn with your lawnmower at its highest setting. Cut very long grass at a slower pace to ensure less stress and a healthy lawn. It might be tempting to go full throttle with your lawnmower, but it will not lead to a healthy lawn.

This article will provide you how to cut your overgrown grass. It will also provide you a step-by-step guide to mow very long grass without damaging your lawn and lawnmower.

Problems with long grass

Before discussing the steps to mow long grass, let’s look at the problems that arise when the grass is kept too long. Tallgrass is unattractive as its blades grow with arbitrary and irregular heights, adding to your lawn’s inconsistent appearance. It is also not advisable as it makes it difficult for the grass to hold itself up, and if it drops on the surrounding grass, it can suffocate it. If the grass is long and you use it for your kids or other activities, it takes more time to dry.

Cordless Electric Battery Powered Lawn Mower | Mowing CRAZY TALL GRASS!

Long grass also traps moisture in the lower areas, making the lawn more prone to fungus and other diseases. This makes the grass grow unevenly, and your lawn may look rough. over, there is also a high chance that the grass may turn yellow or brown.

Not mowing for a long time may cause the grass to go to seeds where its blades look more like weeds than grass. Long grass may overwhelm your mower and dull your mower’s blades faster. Clippings left behind after mowing the longer grass are also longer. The amount of clippings is higher and difficult to manage. Often you will need to rake it.

Longer grass clippings often sit on the top of the lawn and are difficult to remove. over, longer clipping blocks the sunlight to the turfgrass, which affects its health. During regular mowing, the short clippings easily fall on the ground, where they decompose and add nutrients to the soil.

What happens when long grass is mowed too short at once?

It is recommended to cut your overgrown lawn in steps. Cutting in a single attempt may cause damage to your lawn. Mowing too much at once makes your lawn more vulnerable to weather stress, weeds, and diseases. Cutting the grass too short also inhibits root growth.

When grass is mowed too short, the leaves’ surface area is reduced. This is where the grass makes food and relies on it for the roots to grow. If too short, it will weaken the roots, and they are less able to endure rain and drought. Shallow roots require more water and make it difficult for the grass to maintaining moisture. A grass mowed too low has fewer leaves available for photosynthesis, which damages the grass.

Mowing the long grass too short exposes the turf to direct heat which causes it to dry quickly, especially in summers. Therefore, extra care is needed for the lawn by watering it frequently to protect it from drought. over, grass cut too short struggles to fight the intruders and succumb to diseases, weeds, and pests.

Cutting extra-long grass, step by step:

You will always need a bit more patience while handling overgrown grass than a lawn that is maintained properly. It is a bit more challenging to get the lawn into a perfect shape after not mowing it for so long.

Commercial lawn companies have the equipment to deal with such lawns, but it can be costly to hire them for this job. over, you might have to wait for a long time to schedule your appointment with these professional companies.

Let’s have a look at the tools required to cut long grass:

• Lawn Mower
• Depending on the height: String trimmer, sickle, scythe, or a brush cutter
• Broad fork
• Sand
• Lawn fertilizer
• Working gloves
• Safety goggles
• Scarifying rake

Following these basic steps will help you to mow very long grass without damaging your lawn.

Step 1: Removing the top layer of the grass

The first step depends on the starting height of the grass. If the grass is very high, it will be a problem to mow it with your lawnmower. It will cause your mower to clog up and likely will stall and shut down or may get overheated. Mowing long grass straight away with your mower can cause damage to your mower as well as to your lawn. So, try to avoid using the mower to cut very long grass.

In case the grass is very long, it is advisable first to use a brush cutter, trimmer, or scythe to reduce the grass to a more manageable height. Only after that use your lawnmower. Depending on your garden’s size, you can either use a brush cutter, string trimmer, or sickle if you don’t have access to a scythe. These tools will help you reduce the long grass to a reasonable height and make your lawnmower work much more manageable. However, remember that the string trimmers and sickle tend to tear the grass a lot, and the grass may get caught up in the tool.

It is recommended to take off a small section at a time and then remove the waste. Once you have removed the top layer, it is recommended to water your lawn and leave it to that height for some time to recover during that time.

If you do not have the equipment first to cut the grass to a more manageable height, you can try to use your lawnmower for this. Set it to the highest setting and cut with only a small part of the mowing deck. It means that most of the deck moves over an already cut area, and only a small part will move over the long grass. It means you will have to go around much more often.

Step 2: Second Trim

Once you have left the lawn to recover from the first trim for a week or so, it is time for a second cut. It is not recommended to trim your grass sooner than around one week after the initial trim. You should now have a lawn that is short enough to mow with a lawnmower at this time.

For most of the lawnmowers, the typical highest setting is 4 inches. If your grass is still taller than 6 to 7 inches after the first trim, it is best to trim it again with a grass trimmer before using your lawnmower. If your grass is short enough to be mowed by a lawnmower, there is no need to trim it again.

Set your mower to the highest settings before you start mowing. This will reduce the stress on your lawn and prevent it from damaging. You must make sure that everything is even. Mow the long grass with a sharp blade so that your mower doesn’t damage the grass blades. Keep this reality in mind that after you have finished mowing it, your lawn may look terrible and dreadful but don’t worry about that. It will take some time to improve.

If you are dealing with a very rough patch of lawn or a very large lawn, it is recommended to use a gas mower. But if your lawn is small, an electric mower is the best as it works well in tricky areas.

Step 3: Scarifying the lawn

Once you are finished with the mowing, the next step is to scarify or score your lawn. This step also requires a lot of effort. Rake the lawn one meter at a time. Try to get all the weeds and moss off the lawn. You can hire a machine for this job if you have a large area to cover.

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Step 4: Dealing with the drainage

The areas in your lawn that are persistently wet must be prodded with a fork and then must be filled with sand to fill the holes in the lawn and create drainage.

Step 5: Feeding the lawn

You should feed your lawn after the above steps as the grass has gone through a lot of stress. It requires nutrients. Fertilizing your lawn is important as fertilizers supply nitrogen and nutrients, which helps it to remain green. Lawn fertilization also helps the grass to grow thick and healthy. A lawn with thick and healthy growth of grass creates a natural resistance against weeds. Fertilizers enrich the soil with the necessary nutrients that it lacks and make the grass grow faster, healthy and strong.

Usually, fertilizers are applied in springs, early summers, and fall. During this period of time, mowing is also a regular activity. Mow at the right time after fertilization and ensuring that the fertilizer has absorbed in the soil and performed its task efficiently.

Step 6: Reseeding the lawn

If you have bare patches on your lawn, you can reseed the patches to grow new grass. Prepare the soil for reseeding by removing old grass and weeds. Use a rake to remove any large debris, level the ground, and break large clumps of dirt. Then spread the grass seeds over the patch and fertilize to provide much-needed nutrients to grow the root system deeper and faster. Water the patches daily, and don’t let the seeded patches dry out. Try to keep the ground moist until seedlings grow to a height of 2 inches.

Tips for mowing an overgrown lawn

Advice from the experts is always valuable. We have collected several tips which will ensure that you get through the overgrown lawn quickly.

• Tune-up: If you have a gas mower, tune-up the engine properly for the heavy job ahead.
• Sharpen the blades: Sharpen the blades of your mower to handle the heavy stress.
• Mow slow: Mow slowly and patiently. A slow pace will cause less stress on your grass, ensuring a healthy lawn.
• Multiple passes: Don’t try to cut all the long grass in a single attempt.
• Trimmer: Use a trimmer to cut off the top layer and remove trimmings when finished before mowing it with a mower.
• Recover: Allow your lawn to recover and begin growing again before you cut more.
• Wet grass: Avoid mowing when the lawn is wet. Mowing a muddy or wet lawn will damage the grass.
• One-third rule: Always follow the one-third rule, and never cut more than one-third of your grass during a single mow.
• Spring or summer: Try to mow the overgrown lawn in the spring or summer season as the grass grows faster in these seasons.
• Stop when the grass is standing up: Stop mowing as soon as your grass is standing up straight.
• Not in the winter: Don’t mow the overgrown grass in winter because it may not cope with the stress of mowing short in cold weather.
• Change the pattern: Change your lawn mowing pattern every time you mow your lawn.

Final Remarks

If you have a lawn with very long grass and are not looking forward to cutting it, there is nothing to worry about. Just follow the directions given in this blog post, and you will have a well-maintained lawn soon. Do not remove all the long grass at once. This can damage your lawn as well as your lawnmower.

Mowing long grass requires patience. If it is really long, the best method is to cut the grass’s top layer with a grass trimmer (sickle or string trimmer) or a brush cutter to a manageable height first. Then allow your lawn to heal and recover from the initial trim. Once it is healed, mow the lawn to your desired height with your lawnmower. You may reseed the bare patches if there are any. If you follow the directions given in this article, you will most likely have a lush, healthy, and well-maintained lawn quickly.