High grass lawn mower. How To Cut Extremely Long Grass In 5 Easy Steps

How to Tackle an Overgrown Lawn

Have you come back from a long weekend getaway to find your lawn has become overgrown? Or did you happen to miss a few mows (we all get busy) and you are now left with a lawn that is difficult to tackle?

If this is you, don’t fret we’ve got some tips and tricks up our sleeve to help get your lawn back to a more manageable height.

Mowing rule of thumb

A general rule of thumb when mowing is to only remove one third of the leaf blade with each mow. By raising the mowing height to accommodate this, you will be able to ensure that you will not be removing too much of the leaf blade at once.

When you remove more than one third of the leaf blade at one time the lawn can become scalped, and you will be cutting into the stem of the grass. This can result in a deterioration in your plants’ health and a patchy-looking lawn.

Mowing an overgrown lawn after a few days or weeks

If your lawn has gone without a mow for a few weeks, you may need to raise the mower height to ensure you are not removing too much of the leaf blade at once and badly scalping into the lawn.

To get your mowing height correct, we suggest mowing over a small area first on a high setting. This will ensure you don’t accidentally scalp it and you can bring the level down from there if required.

If the lawn does need to go lower, we recommend waiting 3 days before giving the lawn another mow to bring it down further.

On the next mow, follow the same process of adjusting your mowing height and wait another 3 days before the next mow.

You can continue with this process until you reach your desired mowing height.

While mowing your lawn back down to its original height may be tempting, it is best to be patient and slowly bring the height of the mower down, so that the plant will remain healthy. Although this process takes time, you will cause less stress to the grass and won’t undo all of your hard work that it took to get your lawn into a great shape in the first place.

Overgrown lawn above knee height

When your lawn has crept up on you and is past knee height, a different approach may be necessary. Taking the lawn down gradually will take too long and you will likely end up scalping the lawn regardless.

If the lawn is too high to use a mower, it is best to reduce the height with a whipper snipper. This should aid in getting the lawn down to a height that can then be mown.

Once the lawn is at a height that can be mown, you can bring the lawn right back down with your mower. A notch lower than your normal mowing height is best depending on your grass variety. If you have buffalo grass it is important to not go too low and damage the runners it needs to repair from. After you do this, your lawn will not be in the best shape with very little leaf and will need to recover in the following weeks. During this recovery period, it is best to keep water up to the lawn and continue to mow regularly back at your normal mowing height. This will allow the leaf to grow back at your desired level.

Once the lawn has started to recover and has some new green growth, you can fertilise. It is important to not fertilise straight after it has been mown down as this can create more stress for the grass. It is not recommended that you do this in the cooler months.

In spring and summer, the lawn should be able to recover in a few weeks as growing conditions are ideal. But in autumn and winter, the lawn will take longer to repair as the grass’s growth will slow down as the temperature drops.

How can I stop my lawn from becoming overgrown?

By consistently mowing your lawn, the turf will be more consistent in growth, healthier, less susceptible to weeds, pests and diseases and will look great.

Mowing will not only become an easier task when done frequently but will help your lawn flourish over time.

What should I do to my lawn before I go away?

If you are going away, best to mow the day before you are set to leave or close to your departure. Although it is tempting to mow your lawn nice and short, so it doesn’t get too out of hand, it is best to leave your mower height as normal. If you are planning on going away for more than a week in the growing months, it may be best to arrange someone to mow it for you.

If you are going away over the warmer months, you may want to look at using a PGR (Plant Growth Regulator) such as Primo Maxx. A PGR will help slow down the growth of your grass, requiring you to mow your lawn less frequently. You can find more information on PGR’s here.

What is an ideal mowing height?

Different turf varieties do have differing mowing heights. To see what mowing height is best for your lawn, check out our blog here.

For more information on mowing your lawn, check out more of our mowing blogs here.

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.

Key Takeaways:

By the way, our site is supported by visitors like you. Some links on this page may be affiliate links which means if you choose to make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support! You can find out more here.

Tips for Tackling Your Overgrown Lawn

• 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 seasoncan 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:

• A string or blade trimmer
• Lawnmower
• Rake
• Safety equipment (see my protective clothing section)

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 cut extremely long grass with hand tools?

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 while 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 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.

If you’re looking for the best gas or electric lawn mowers, we did a detail review of each one. Check them out.

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 weeds 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, 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!

FAQs about how to cut extremely long grass

What is the easiest way to cut long grass?

The easiest way to cut long grass is by using a string trimmer or weed eater to gradually trim the top layer of the grass. This prevents overloading the mower and allows for more manageable cutting.

How do I cut long grass in my backyard?

To cut long grass in your backyard, follow these steps:

Use a trimmer or weed eater to cut the top layer of the grass in sections.

Wait for a few days to allow the grass to recover.

Make a second pass with the trimmer or a lawnmower set at a lower height.

Repeat the process until the grass is at the desired height.

Use a rake to gather the grass clippings.

Can grass be too tall to mow?

Yes, grass can be too tall to mow. If the grass is excessively tall, it can overwhelm the lawnmower, clog the blades, and result in an uneven cut.

In such cases, it is recommended to gradually trim the grass with a string trimmer or weed eater before attempting to mow it with a lawnmower.

This approach ensures better results and prevents damage to the mower.

Can A Zero-Turn Mower Cut Tall Grass?

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.

Affiliate Disclaimer

All product reviews and recommendations are made independently by our editorial team and our panel of experts. This article may include affiliate links to Amazon or other partner websites where we may earn a small commission on purchases made.

Please read our affiliates disclosure page to find out more.

How To Cut Tall Grass With An Electric Lawn Mower

In order to begin cutting tall grass with an electric lawn mower, you will need to know some important steps. You will also need to make sure you have the right electric mower for the job.

In this article we will equip you with 15 tips on cutting tall grass. These tips will make the job ahead faster, easier, and most importantly, safer for you. We will also advise on the best mowers for the job, and what to look for in a quality electric lawn mower.

Can electric lawn mowers cut long, thick grass? Can electric lawn mowers handle the tough jobs like some of their gas powered brothers? Read on to find out all the answers you will need, and more.

Can Electric Mowers Cut Tall Grass?

Electric lawn mowers can cut tall, thick grass. The modern cordless electric lawn mowers are much more powerful that just a few short years ago. While you may want to stick to a gas mower for a commercial lawn mower, electric lawn mowers are best for almost all home owners.

However, it can be tricky when dealing with tall wet grass. It is recommended that you avoid cutting wet grass with any mower, and this includes electric mowers.

If you are going to be mowing tall grass in an overgrown lawn, it is important to read the following tips. After you understand how to cut the tall grass, it will be important that you have the right mower for the job. If your mower is out dated or under powered read on to see our top picks on mowers for tall grass.

How Do You Mow Tall Grass?

Cutting tall grass takes skill and top-notch precision. It is a good thing that powerful electric machines are available for this purpose. The following are fifteen tips on how to cut long grass.

15 Tips On How To Mow Tall Grass

High Torque Engine

Engine torque is responsible for the power of the mighty blade. The higher the torque, the more power the mower has to cut tall grass.

Use Self Propelled Mower

This mower is the type that does the work all on its own. You can cut through tall grass without exerting so much effort. Self-propelled lawn mowers provide better quality cuts.

Several Height Settings

Use a mower with multiple settings. The grass will look better if you set the machine at the appropriate height. Set at the highest stage and then come down from there. Proper mowing is essential to create an even lawn.

Battery Management

The cordless mower will use up the battery power when cutting tall grass. Choose a high-capacity battery or have one spare battery fully charged to decrease stopping time. You can also utilize a Rapid charger.

Make Sure Battery Is Charged

It is always a good point to ensure that the battery is fully charged before use for a battery-powered mower. Used batteries do not hold a charge, as a fresh battery does, especially if they are not fully charged the first time.

Opt For Cordless

Cordless mowers tend to be safer than mowers that plug into an outlet. If you run over the cord, you can damage your mower blades.

With battery-powered mowers, you need to turn off your mower and recharge the battery is running low. If you do not do this, you may risk damaging the mower blades and the motor.

Increase Cut Height

When attempting to mow a tall yard, you need to increase your cut height. If you do not, the mower can stall. You can effortlessly mow your lawn when you bring your cut height up.

Mulching Option

Purchase an electric mower with a mulching feature. This setting will save you time with disposing of grass clippings. Landfill regulations may also be stringent, so get a mower with an excellent mulching function when all else fails.

Side Discharge

Side discharge is a novel idea when you are mowing tall grass. It can handle a more significant amount of grass debris than a rear one. You do not want to block it up and jam the mower.

Do Not Mow Wet Grass

Avoid mowing wet grass. Mowing a wet lawn with an electric mower is dangerous. When it is wet, the mower is likely to miss tall grasses. The grass will stand straight and appear uneven when the rain clears up. Also, when the grass is wet, it is tough to get a clean cut.

Make Sure The Blade Is Sharp

If the blade is not sharp, you will not get a good, clean cut. IF the mower blades are dull, it smashes the blade’s edge, and it will not obtain a clean cut. The grass will turn brown, which will make it prone to diseases. Keep you lawn mower blade clean and sharp.

Be On The Lookout

Watch for items that your mower can accidentally suck up. Rocks or sticks can easily damage the mower blade. importantly, keep children and pets safe from the mower when cutting the grass. Additionally, make sure there are no bunnies or squirrels around either.

Cut A Little Bit At A Time

Trying to cut the grass all at once will clog up your lawnmower, which will make it shut down. This practice can harm your lawnmower. You can remedy the problem by cutting it in stages. The first cut should be the top of the grass, and the next time, mow the rest.

Take Your Time

You do not need to go over your lawn so aggressively. You can do it slowly, which produces better results. Mowing at a slower pace will ensure the health of your lawn and will not put as much strain on the grass.

Correct Aftercare

After mowing the lawn, you need to keep the grounds in good condition to prevent overgrowth. Overgrowth is one of the most significant contributors to an unhealthy lawn, as it puts strain on the grass.

What Are the Best Electric Mowers for Cutting Tall Grass?

Many different electric mowers are suitable for mowing tall grass. You need to check out all your options, and the following includes some great electric mowers when you want an excellent clean green cut.

Greenworks Pro 80V 21 Inch Lawn Mower

• 21 steel deck, brushless motor, self-propelled rear wheel drive, vertical storage, push button start
• Up to 45 minutes run-time with fully charged 4Ah battery
• Smart Cut Technology automatically increases the speed of the blade when more power is needed for the best cut possible

Greenworks lawn mowers are known to be great workhorses, and this 80V Self Propelled Greenworks mower is no exception.

• Powerful 80V Battery
• Self Propelled
• 21″ Steel Deck
• Rear Bag Option For Tall Grass

As you can see, this lawn mower has all the tools that are needed for tall grass and heavy duty lawns. The steel deck is a real bonus as many electric lawn mowers come with heavy duty plastic decks. Unless you own a farm or wild brush, this mower can handle the job.

EGO Power 21 Inch Lawn Mower

• Get 45 minutes of run time on a single charge
• Select Cut Multi-Blade System for premium cutting performance that exceeds gas
• 3-in-1 function: mulching, bagging, side discharge

While we have this listed second to the Greenworks lawn mower, you really can go with either of these mowers. Both will handle just about any job your lawn can throw at them.

This 56V lawn mower is great for cutting through thick heavy grass. Add in the Select Cut Multi-Blade System and you have a great package for thick lawns. Just make sure to have a fully charged battery and you are set to get through almost any lawn you can throw at this lawn mower.

Don’t forget, with Ego, as well as Greenworks, you can get multiple yard tools and share the powerful batteries. This will save money and allow you to do all the edging, trimming, cutting, and blowing that you may need to do after you cut the grass.

How Do Gas Mowers Compare To Electric Lawn Mowers?

For the most part, electric mowers are better than gas mowers. Cordless electric lawnmowers are included. The following compares gas mowers with electric mowers.

Electric Mowers are Better for the Environment

Electric lawnmowers are powered by electricity, which is better for the environment than gas. However, gas-powered mowers require gas to run. Gas is detrimental to the environment. Electric mowers do not emit harmful gases into the atmosphere.

Gas also pollutes groundwater like gasoline when it is burned. Gasoline lawn mower emissions are also associated with cancer and damage to the brain and central nervous system. Electric lawnmowers do not emit such pollutants, making them the healthier choice.

Electric mowers typically rely on either battery or connect to the mower. All you need for an electric mower that performs well is a good battery.

Electric Mowers Are Not High Maintenance

Electric mowers are more manageable when it comes to maintenance. You just need to replace the batteries. Gas mowers, however, require more upkeep. Oil levels should be kept up with, and spark plugs need to be replaced if they wear out.

Electric lawnmowers also start by pressing a button, while gas mowers need to be primed.

Electric Mowers Are Cost-Effective

Electric mowers do not cost as much since they do not need gasoline to run and do not require as much maintenance. Gas-powered mowers need oil changes and tune-ups to be able to run efficiently.

When choosing an electric mower, you are opting to use a battery that can be recharged with renewable energy sources like solar panels, which are far less expensive.

Electric Mowers Are Less Noisy

Gas lawn mowers cause noise pollution, as they produce 105 decibels. However, electric mowers only produce 75 decibels. A gas-powered mower is as loud as a motorcycle, which is relatively noisy. This loudness is not suitable if you live in a suburban neighborhood that enjoys peace and quiet.

Conclusion

With the great advancements in electric lawn mowers in recent years, you can easily cut through tall, thick grass with most electric mowers. Just be sure to keep in mind the tips we listed above and you will be ready for most heavy jobs.

It is important to keep your mower in top shape if you want it to handle tough jobs. Be sure you know how to maintain your electric lawn mower and also keep your mower clean.

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.

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.

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.