How to Mow Your Lawn Like a Pro: The Best Lawn Care Tips to Follow

Overview

Exmark was founded in 1982 with a focus on commercial-grade mowers for landscaping professionals, but they quickly realized the need for powerful and durable mowers for residential customers who crave professional results. Exmark prioritizes backyard living and top mowing performance. 

The company’s mowers are designed to minimize mowing time so homeowners can spend more time enjoying their yard, not working on it. Learn more at Exmark’s website.

Create Lawn Stripes Like a Pro

Professional landscapers and golf courses often have lawn stripes or patterns that make the grass look especially manicured. These visible markings aren’t created by varying lawnmower blade heights or using different grass types. In fact, the striping effect comes from how the grass blades reflect light after being bent in different directions.

Many Exmark mowers have rollers that help create lawn striping. But you can also get the effect with any mower through proper mowing techniques.

The most basic striping technique is the double-cut method:

• Mow your lawn going back and forth in one direction first.
• Then go over the area again perpendicular to the original cut.
• This bends the blades of grass in crisscrossing directions to get the striping effect.

For recurring stripes in the same place each mow, do the following:

• Determine the direction you want your straight stripes to go.
• Always mow in this direction first to bend the grass blades.
• Make subsequent passes over the area perpendicular to the stripes.
• Watch Brian Latimer’s lawn striping demo video to see these techniques in action.

Tips for a Healthy Lawn

To keep your lawn healthy and lush, it’s important to mow regularly at the right height for your grass type. In my experience, you also need to properly water, aerate, fertilize, and control weeds and pests. Here are some tips:

• Mow at the ideal height for your grass type. Cutting too short causes stress. Cutting too long allows pests and weeds to grow. For cool-season grasses like bluegrass, ryegrass, and fescue, mow to 2 ½ to 4 inches high. For warm-season grasses, mow to 1 to 2 inches high.
• Keep mower blades sharp. Dull blades rip and shred grass rather than delivering a clean cut. Dull blades cause browning, open the lawn to disease, and stunt growth. Sharpen blades every 25 hours of mowing.
• Don’t cut off more than 1/3 of the blade length per mowing session. If you wait too long between mowings, don’t try to cut it down to the ideal height all at once. This shocks the plant.
• Water early in the morning. Avoid watering at night because that can lead to fungus growth. Pay attention to local watering restrictions.
• Aerate yearly. This relieves soil compaction to support root growth. Spring and fall are ideal times to aerate. Consider renting an aerator or hiring a pro if needed.
• Overseed to fill in bare spots. Rake the soil, spread grass seed designed for your climate, gently water, and keep moist until germination. Fall is the best time to overseed.
• Fertilize at the right time. For cool-season grass, fertilize in fall and early spring. For warm-season grass, fertilize in late spring through early summer.

Compare Exmark Zero-Turn Mowers

Exmark offers several zero-turn riding mowers for homeowners. The Radius and Lazer Z models deliver professional results and comfort. Key differences include:

• Exmark’s Radius and Lazer Z mowers vary when it comes to cutting width, engine power, comfort features, and durability.
• The Radius offers wider cutting width options, ranging from 34 to 60 inches. The Lazer Z comes in 48-, 52-, or 60-inch widths. 
• The Radius has a Kohler 7000 Series engine, while the Lazer Z boasts more powerful Kohler 8000 Series engines.
• For comfort, the Radius has a standard high-back seat with armrests. But the Lazer Z features an UltraCut fabric seat with adjustable suspension for a smoother ride.
• The Radius cutting deck is durable 10-gauge welded steel. Yet the Lazer Z cutting deck is even tougher, made from 7-gauge steel for greater overall strength.

No matter which Exmark model you choose, you’ll benefit from commercial-grade durability, comfort, and cutting performance. Visit a local Exmark dealer to test drive mowers firsthand.

So, Is an Exmark Mower Right for You?

If you want a mower that will minimize mowing time so you can get back to enjoying backyard living, Exmark is a sound choice. Their mowers are powerful, comfortable, and built to last — ideal for homeowners who want pro-level results.

If you invest in an Exmark, you’ll likely mow faster and have to mow less often. And you’ll have the peace of mind of investing in a heavy-duty machine engineered for durability. However, know that Exmark mowers are on the high end of the cost range for residential mower models.

Visit an Exmark dealer to learn more and try out a mower to help you decide if the performance and quality is worth the investment for your needs.