Mowing 

 

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This is a picture of the worlds first lawnmower!  

 

If you like a nice neat lawn, but you'd just as soon do without a small herd of sheep, you can thank  Mr.  Edwin Beard Budding. Back in 1830, Mr. Budding, an engineer from Stroud, Gloucestershire, England invented the first lawnmower.  He obtained the idea after seeing a machine in a local cloth mill  which used a cutting cylinder (or bladed reel) mounted on a bench  to trim cloth to make a smooth finish after weaving. Budding realized that a similar concept would enable the cutting of grass if the mechanism could be mounted in a wheeled frame to make the  blades rotate close to the lawn's surface. He went into partnership  with a local engineer, John Ferrabee, and together they made mowers in a factory at Stroud. Examples of the early Budding type mowers can be seen in Stroud Museum, the London Science Museum and at Milton Keynes Museum in England.  

These early machines were all made of cast iron and featured a large rear roller with a cutting cylinder (reel) in the front. Cast iron gear wheels transmitted power from the rear roller to the cutting cylinder. Overall, these  
machines were remarkably similar to modern mowers.  

Budding and Ferrabee were shrewd enough to allow other companies to build copies of their mower under license, the most successful of these being Ransomes of Ipswich which began making mowers as early as  
1832. The company has made mowers virtually continuously ever since, and is now the world's largest manufacturer of lawn care equipment.  

That's why today, there are no sheep in your garage and  why you can walk on the grass in your bare  feet. Here are some tips for a lawn that's a treat for eyes and toes alike:  

MOW BETTER!  
The mow better way is more often, and not so short. We recommend a mowing height no less than 3 inches. That way, the grass provides shade that keeps weeds from sprouting. Frequent mowing to a moderate height, with a sharp blade, is the key to a healthy, happy lawn.  

Perfect Mowing is as Easy as 1-2-3  
A beautiful lawn is never an accident. And among all of the things that make a lawn look its best,  mowing properly is one of the most important. Keeping your lawn a cut above the rest is really  very simple. Just remember these basic rules, and you'll be well on your way to having a  picture perfect lawn.  

Keep it High  

The first guideline is mowing high. A lawn kept clipped at the correct height has more food producing ability, is able to stay greener, reduces weeds, and conserves water by shading the soil,  Weed and crabgrass seeds need plenty of sun and heat to sprout. Because of this, taller grass is  one of the best weed preventers you can use. Shading the soil by mowing higher also reduces water loss from evaporation.  

Cutting too short or too much off at once is scalping.  

When you set the blade too low, you may remove most of the food producing parts of the plant. The result is a brown lawn that takes weeks and weeks to recover and in a severe instance might need replacement.  

 How Often Is Often Enough?  

Mowing frequency is the second rule to keeping your lawn in top condition. Lawns grow at very different rates from season to season. Turf produces much more top growth during the spring and early fall, and your mowing schedule should match the growth of your lawn. During periods of heavy growth, once a week may not be enough, while every ten days might be fine during the summer for lawns without regular irrigation.  On high Maintenance lawns, with regular irrigation and fertilization schedules we recommend a 5 day mowing cycle. 

The key to mowing frequency is to never remove more than 1/3 of the total blade height in a single mowing.  

A Sharp Blade = A Sharper Looking Lawn  

We receive calls every year about lawns that look brown even after periods of rain and cooler  weather. In almost every case, this is the result of a dull mower blade shredding the tips of the grass.  When a blade is dull, it rips the turf instead of cutting cleanly. The ripped tips then bleach out and turn  
brown, giving the whole lawn a tan or brown cast. Having the blade sharpened and balanced once per  year is usually not enough especially on larger properties. You should touch up your blade edge with a  file or have it sharpened 2 to 3 times per year.  Always follow your mower manufactures blade changing instruction! 

Remember, always ensure the machine is shut off and disconnect the spark plug anytime you put your hands into the blade area.  

By following these easy rules, you'll always keep your lawn on the cutting edge.  

Points to remember:  

• Mow the turf high. Set the mower on one of the highest settings. Never remove more than 1/3 of the blade height at a time.  
• Mow more often during periods of heavy growth.  
• Leave the clippings on the lawn under normal conditions.
• Keep the blade sharp for a clean cut.  
• Never handle the blade without disconnecting the spark plug wire first.  

  Related Topics FAQ INDEX
 

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Rates:  

We offer Weekly & Bi Weekly Mowing Programs  

$29.95* up to 7,000 sq. ft turf area  
  Add $1.50 for each additional 1000 sq. ft up to 20,000 sg ft  
  Add $1.39 for each additional 1000 sq. ft thereafter.  

*This rate schedule is only a guide, real -life conditions will be a factor in your actual mowing fee.   

We Are Accepting Bid Requests For The 2004-05 seasons on mowing - and snow services

Click Here For This Seasons Offerings

Call for free estimate 612-588-1800  
Send info by E-Mail to  Submit Information  

Our Mowing & Trimming Service Will Include:  
 

	Upon arrival each week, we will police site, remove and dispose of any foreign debris found in the turf area.
	Use of equipment is to be done so as to prevent scalping of turf areas and damage to landscape plantings.
	Equipment blades are kept sharp, so as to avoid ripping or tearing blades of grass
	Spring season mowing is done at a height of approximately 2.5".  Summer mowing is done at a height of approximately 3.0"  Fall mowing is done at a height of approximately 2.5" with the final cut at 2.0"
	With each mowing, we will trim the grass adjacent to buildings, steps, decks, fences, trees, shrubs, plantings, light poles, and any other protrusions so as to prevent damage to these items while providing the same cut height as the adjacent mowed grass
	We will sweep or power blow all walkways, patios, steps, and walkways after each mowing.

 

If you ever have any questions   about mowing,  Give Us a Call  We're Right In Your  Backyard.    Send info by E-Mail to   Submit Information   612-588-1800