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The art of growing a garden is rewarding and can be made easier with the help of power equipment such as a ride on mower. There are endless benefits to using a riding mower for landscaping, especially for large areas of land.
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In this article, we outline the benefits of using a ride on mower and share some useful tips for how to use your mower effectively to maintain a healthy lawn. We also share some ideas for you to incorporate in landscaping such as using grass clipping to make your own compost.
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The Benefits Of Ride On Mower
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A riding mower is a lawn mowing machine with a seat and steering wheel for you to operate. This allows you to drive the machine to cut your lawn as opposed to pushing a mower. They are convenient for those with large lawns and time saving for those who want to get the job of mowing a lawn done quickly. They save you the energy of pushing a mower as they cut grass at a quicker pace in comparison to push mowers. You will be comfortably seated on the mower. This makes it beneficial for individuals with mobility constraints as body strain is limited.
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Convenience
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Mowing grass can be a tedious task, but a driving mower makes the process more enjoyable. All you must do is hop on your mower and direct the machine across your lawn. The process is efficient and enjoyable. If you are looking to make the chore of mowing your garden a more pleasant and exciting experience, then a riding mower is the tool for you. With the improvement of steering technologies in the driving mower market, you will have no issues with carefully cutting around bushes and flower beds to get perfectly near edges.
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Versatility
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Accessories can be attached to your mower as well which makes it quite a versatile machine. Their functionality extends beyond cutting grass. You can attach a leaf collecting system which will help to clear any leaves from your lawn before mowing. You can also add an attachment to collect grass clippings as you mow to make the cleanup process after mowing easier.
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Maintaining Healthy Grass
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It is normal for lawns to change as the seasons and environmental conditions change. So how do you maintain a healthy and luscious lawn? Here are some important tips to keep in mind:
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Knowing Your Lawn
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Knowing what kind of grass makes up your lawn is the first step to understanding what it needs. In South Africa, one of the most popular choices is Kikuyu grass. It enjoys the South African sun but can still flourish in the shade. It spreads quickly and can handle wear and tear. Planting a grass seed that is used to the conditions of your location is the beginning to having a healthy lawn.
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Kikuyu grass can survive in the shade, but it still needs a good amount of sun. In the shady areas of the lawn, you may need to watch out for weeds and moss that might grow. It can also withstand dry conditions, but that doesn’t mean it won’t appreciate good watering. Ideally, it should be watered twice a week. Remember, that each type of grass seed is different so if you have a different kind of grass, it will have different needs.
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Mow Regularly
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A grass lawn should be mowed regularly to help it grow thicker. Rather than having a set schedule of when to mow your lawn, let the growth and health of the lawn dictate when it should get a trim. Weather and environmental factors play a part in the growth of grass so it may not be as consistent as your schedule.
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Pay attention to the height of the lawn to decide when you should cut it. Kikuyu grass thrives at around 4 cm (about half the length of the long edge of a credit card) in height. When cutting the lawn, you should avoid trimming more than a third of the height that it sits before being cut at a time.
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If you are hoping to only go over the lawn once, then you should keep an eye on the lawn so that it doesn’t get too long. You can mow your lawn with a riding mower. Make sure the blades are sharp and are sitting at the correct height.
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Watch The Climate
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It is important to take note of the climate that your grass is in. In periods of hot and dry weather, your lawn is under stress so be sure not to cut off too much grass at a time. After cutting your lawn, do not leave grass clippings on the lawn. If you leave grass clippings it can result in brown patches and dry grass. Rather use an attachment to your ride on mower to catch the clippings or rake the clippings after mowing. You can discard clippings or use them to make compost.
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Fertilising
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Fertilising your lawn at least twice a year is important for soil nutrition. A nitrogen-rich fertiliser can be applied in early spring during the prime growing season. The grass should be well soaked after fertiliser is applied. Later in the year, during the mid-summer season you can apply a second layer of fertiliser. Fertiliser encourages growth and helps to maintain a lush green lawn.
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Making Compost From Grass Clippings
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When using a mower, you can attach an accessory to catch grass clippings. Rather than just throwing away the clippings, you can add it to homemade compost to use in your garden. Compost is a great way to nourish your garden and help your plants grow better.
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To start your composting system, you should find a sunny corner in your garden to place a compost bin. The bin should allow for air flow on all sides. The spot should receive at least three to four hours of sunlight a day. It should also have good airflow and ventilation in the area where you are placing the bin. Your bin should be large enough to store the amount of compost you are going to use over time. You could create a pile rather than use a bin, but a bin makes the process easier for you as you won’t need to worry about mixing as often. A bin also helps to contain your compost in one place and pests won’t have easy access. A composting bin is also ideal as the bin will be able to retain heat more easily and remain moist.
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Once your compost bin is set up, you can gather organic matter to begin composting. Grass clippings are ideal for composting however it is important to note that grass clippings are only useful for composting if the grass has not been treated with pesticides or herbicides in the past two weeks. Grass clippings can easily be collected with an attachment on your ride on mower.
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You can also collect dried leaves, branches and twigs from your garden. You can also add scraps from your kitchen such as vegetable skins, fruit and even eggshells. Generally, you want to add twice as much carbon rich material to nitrogen rich material. Brown dried leaves, brown straw grass, twigs and branches are carbon rich; while fresh grass clippings, kitchen scraps and green leaves are nitrogen rich. In your bin, you can layer the materials to make sure you stick to a 2:1 ratio.
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Maintaining Your Compost Heap
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Once you have set up your compost bin, you need to maintain it. Your compost bin must have good air flow to allow for oxygenation within your bin. A composting system must be kept moist to allow for the decomposition process. A new compost bin should be watered at least once weekly and monitored to ensure it is not drying out. This is particularly important for the hot summers in South Africa.
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Oxygenation is stimulated when you mix the compost in your bin. You should mix your compost bin at least once a month to speed up the decomposition process. You should not be cutting your grass too often, but when you do you can continue to add the clippings into the bin. Remember to stick to the 2:1 ratio for carbon rich material to nitrogen rich material.
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Within the first year of your compost bin, maintenance is important. You should avoid adding meat or dairy products as these spoil too quickly to decompose efficiently. It can also attract pests and even wildlife in some cases. It will take four to six months before you can start using your initial compost in your garden, but trust us, it will be worth it when it gets to that point.
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Using A Ride On Mower Safely
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A riding mower might seem like a fun new toy, but it is a heavy piece of machinery that should be used with precautions. You need to prioritise safety when operating one to ensure no injuries occur. Before you begin to think about using your mower for the first time, you should have a good understanding of the manual and how the machine works. Be aware of where the brakes and acceleration are and how the steering works. You also need to know how to turn the machine off and on safely.
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When you are getting ready to mow your lawn, take your pets away from the lawn and remove any debris from the lawn. Children can also be hazardous around powered mowers. They may see the machine as a fun tool and try to start the mower without you knowing, ensure they understand the dangers of heavy machinery and keep an eye out for them when you are operating the machine.
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You should wear long pants and sturdy footwear when operating the machine. All jewellery should be removed as you wouldn’t want it to get caught in the mower accidentally. It is also a good idea to wear eye protection to avoid any flying objects hitting your eye as you mow the lawn. The operating manual will instruct how to navigate slops and uneven terrain with a mower. Follow the safety protocol advised to ensure your safety.
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Looking after your mower will help maintain the longevity of the machine. You need to follow the manual’s instructions on oil changes and check the fuel levels of the machine. Also check the tire pressure and condition of the tires. A well maintained machine is a long lasting machine.
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BS Power: The Home Of The South African Ride On Mower
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If you are interested in investing in a ride on mower, look no further than BS Power. We supply reliable agricultural, landscaping, forestry and construction equipment. We have experienced and helpful staff who are willing to accommodate your needs. We are experienced and service the whole of South Africa and some neighbouring countries too. Visit our catalogue to find out more.
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