If you have to cut the grass, why not have some fun by creating one of the best lawn mowing patterns. Following the patterns described below are not only efficient, but it will make your lawn look great too.

Lawn Mowing Pattern: Rows

Mowing in rows is one of the fastest, most efficient way to cut your lawn. The size and shape of your yard plays a part in what direction the rows should go. If your yard is more wide, mow in horizontal rows to cover the longest part of your lawn with the least amount of turns. Longer lawns can be cut vertically for the same reason. If your yard is more of a square shape, congrats! You can cut in either direction.

Lawn Mowing Pattern: Circles

Round and round your yard you go. Cutting in concentric circles is an efficient pattern because all the turns you make are in the same direction. Since turns are more gradual, it’s also easier to maneuver your mower. A circular pattern will match the cuts you make around trees and flower beds as well.

Lawn Mowing Pattern: Spirals

Circles are efficient, but you’ll also end up finishing in the center of your yard. To avoid this, you can use a double spiral pattern. You follow the same circular route as the previous pattern, but when you reach the center, move the mower in an S-shape. This puts you back in the direction you started, but mowing the area you skipped. When done correctly, you end up on the opposite corner of your yard from where you began.

Lawn Mowing Pattern: Stripes

You’ve seen them in sport fields, professional-cut lawns, and colleges—the clean and pristine look of stripes. What you’re looking at is the way light is reflecting off the grass blades. Dark stripes are blades bent toward you, while the lighter stripes are bent the opposite way. To get the blades to bend, you’ll need to buy or build your own striping kit for your mower or roller.

Best Lawn Mowing Factors to Consider

Before you pick a mowing pattern, consider how the following factors in to your yard:

Distance. How large of an area do you have to cut? You don’t want to mow over the same patch multiple times. This will make your yard look uneven and sloppy. Pick a pattern that you can maintain over a large area. Rows and stripes may work best.

Obstacles. Flower beds, trees, shrubs, sheds, statues, and anything else around your yard need to be considered before choosing the right route. Save time by mowing around these areas before tackling the larger, obstacle-free area.

Visualize. When trying a new pattern for the first time, sketch it out to better gauge how it will fit the layout of your lawn.

Straight lines. To help keep lines straight, start by mowing parallel to a straight sidewalk or driveway. To keep mowing straight, focus on the path about 10 feet in front of you instead of directly in front of the mower.

Lift and turn. When you come to the end of a row, lift the mower deck as you turn. Then continue in the opposite direction next to your last pass.

Mow high. Mowing at the highest setting creates soft grass that bends easily. A short grass blade won’t bend as far, so the stripe pattern won’t be as noticeable.

Sharp lines. Make sure your mower blades are sharp for a nice, healthy cut.

Need more advice on the best lawn mowing pattern for your yard? Call Cardinal Lawns at 614-808-4446 to discuss your options.