When it comes to maintaining your garden, there is nothing more enjoyable than using ride on mowers to cut the lawn. A task that used to be particularly tedious in the past, largely due to clunky lawn mowers that were difficult to use and physically taxing, has been transformed in recent years with the use of riding mowers. Although ride on mowers have been around for a long time, they were usually expensive and only really used in commercial (public) settings or by the wealthy who had to maintain acres of land.

 

However, thanks to technological innovations in production processes, manufacturers have been able to design and sell retail models that are more affordable. These retail driving mowers have become extremely popular for their effectiveness and ease of use. But the technological changes did not stop with cheaper manufacturing; these retail machines have been made to handle a wide range of tasks. Today, with your one ride on mower, you can not only cut the grass but also mulch, aerate your lawn, and so much more.

 

In this article, we want to show you just how effective your ride on mower can be in not only maintaining a neatly cut lawn, but how it can help maximise your lawn’s health. We will explore everything from recommended mowing heights to the benefits of mulching. In this way, we hope you see just how versatile a modern riding mower can be and what a good investment one can be.

 

Mowing Height: How It Affects The Health Of Your Lawn

 

As we mentioned, a riding mower can be highly effective at helping you maintain and maximise your lawn’s health, but its primary purpose is still to cut the grass efficiently. However, even within this process, you can already find ways to safeguard your lawn’s health. You can make a big difference by becoming aware of the science behind grass and plants and knowing how to modify your ride-on mower use to support these basic principles.

 

Let’s look at the science and then understand how to apply this to how we use our mowers:

 

The Role Of Grass Height In Photosynthesis

 

If you recall your biology lessons from the past, you may recognise the word photosynthesis. The simplest definition of this word is that it is the process by which plant life “feeds” itself. A more in-depth explanation would describe it as the way plants convert water, sunlight, and carbon dioxide (Co2) into glucose, which is a source of energy for the plants.

 

The length of the grass is integral to the process of photosynthesis. Taller grass has more surface area, meaning that it can perform photosynthesis at a higher rate. With taller grass, the root system is also more developed, meaning that it can more effectively retrieve nutrients and moisture from the soil. Therefore, the more established and tall the grass is, the easier the plant can thrive.

 

At the same time, you want to keep control of your lawn and can’t have the grass growing wild. This is where you need to find a balance between cutting your grass at the ideal length so that it can still be tough and grow healthily yet portray a manicured, clean appearance. Below, let us look at some recommended grass heights for popular grass types.

 

Recommended Heights For Common Grass Types

 

The height of grass and how it relates to the plant’s health is something that has been studied quite a lot, and generally, with most popular grass varieties, there are exact cutting lengths that you should be following. Let us review three of the most popular grass types in South Africa:

 

Kikuyu Grass: A grass variety found in mild to warm climates, the Kikuyu grass is very hardy and is well suited for sunny areas around the country. It is generally the favoured lawn in the inland areas of South Africa. Kikuyu does better when left slightly longer, in order to better maintain moisture in more arid environments, and it is recommended that you use a height of twenty-five to fifty millimetres.

 

Buffalo Grass: A grass that is particularly well-suited to coastal regions, this species is generally softer and has a luscious texture to it. Although it is soft grass, it is relatively easier to maintain Buffalo than the Kikuyu. In order to maintain its soft texture, it is recommended that you leave it longer than the Kikuyu, with ideal height ranges between forty and sixty millimetres.

 

Bermuda Grass: The last grass strain we want to highlight here is the Bermuda species. Of all three species discussed this is the hardiest and can more easily tolerate high temperatures then the Kikuyu. It is also remarkably resilient and can handle lots of foot traffic, making it the perfect grass for sports fields. Because of its hardy nature this grass can be kept very short. With recommended ranges between twelve and twenty-five millimetres.

 

Adjusting For The Seasons

 

In South Africa, due to our location as a Southern Hemisphere country our summers run between the end of October to about February or March. Our winters start around the end of April and May and continue to the beginning of September. Understanding how you should change your cutting habits depending on the seasons is critical to good lawn health. This is made much easier with the help of ride on mowers.

 

Spring: During spring your goal should be to prepare your lawn for new growth. You should look to increase the frequency at which you cut your grass, as the grass begins to enter its growth phase.

 

Summer: With temperatures at their highest during this season grass will grow rapidly. Ideally you want to be looking at mowing your lawn about every five to seven days. Using a ride on mower makes this much easier.

 

Autumn: During this season you want to start preparing your lawn for slower growing months. To alleviate the stress on your lawn, you should begin to slow down the frequency at which you mow. A good tip is to remember to move fallen leaves from your grass, in order for your grass to still have access to as much sunlight as possible.

 

Winter: Your grass will begin to go into a state of dormancy during the winter months due to the cold. You will want to prevent as much stress as possible for your grass. Mowing should be infrequent during this time, looking to only cut it about every three to four weeks.

 

 

The Benefits Of Using Ride On Mowers For Mulching

 

So far, we have emphasised the importance of understanding the science of your lawn, looking at both photosynthesis and species variations. We saw how understanding these factors can influence the way we mow our grass using ride on mowers to promote better health. But modern riding mowers are amazing because they are no longer just more advanced lawn mowers; their capabilities and versatility have increased dramatically in recent years.

 

One such area where ride on mowers has improved their usability is in the process of mulching. Mulching is an excellent gardening technique that has been used for a very long time, but the ride on mower makes it incredibly easy. Mulching is the process by which we finally cut grass clippings after you have finished mowing and recycle them by throwing them back onto the lawn. Because the lawn clippings are fine, they decompose quickly and provide the manicured lawn with essential nutrients.

 

How To Use Your Ride Mower To Mulch

 

The first thing we need to understand is how exactly we use ride on mowers to do the mulching process. Luckily many modern machines, like those you will find in our BS Power range, actually come with a dedicated mulching mode or come with a mulching kit that can be easily equipped. The mulching blades are designed to chop grass clippings into extremely fine pieces. This can then be redistributed on the lawn once the mulching process is complete.

 

These fine clippings can provide your lawn with nutrients like nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus, which seep back into the soil below the lawn cover. It is very important to remember that you must adjust your mower’s height when mulching. It should be set much higher than for cutting as this will allow for a more equal distribution of the grass cuttings.

 

Best Times To Mulch

 

Again, when you consider mulching you should also think about the season and how impactful mulching can be during that time. For instance, during Spring is a great time to mulch, this is the period when your grass is coming out of dormancy after winter and needs nutrients to keep the lawn green and lush. During early summer you should look to continue your mulching process as this will help keep your grass strong and vibrant.

 

Finally, early Autum is the last time in the year that you should mulch. It is a critical time just before the grass enters its dormant period. Providing it with a boost of nutrients during this period will ensure that your lawn remains healthy during the winter months.

 

Avoiding Common Mowing Mistakes

 

The last topic we want to highlight in this article is common mistakes that people can make while using their mower. As you have already seen throughout this article, the ride on mower is an incredible tool for maintaining lawn health throughout the year, but if you use the mower incorrectly and make these mistakes, you can damage your lawn more than help it.

 

Ignoring Dull Blades

 

One of the most important aspects of both lawn and mower maintenance is checking the sharpness of the blades. Using dull blades can be very damaging not only to your grass but to your machine as well. If you are unsure whether your blades are sharp enough, our friendly team at BS Power is always there to give you a little more advice.

 

Some of the negative effects of using dull blades include ripping rather than cutting the grass. This happens when blades are extremely dull and damage the grass itself; this can leave the grass susceptible to disease. It also prevents the grass from being resilient.

 

Mowing When Wet

 

Another common mistake is mowing when it is too wet. If you do this, you can actually cause a whole lot of different issues. First you will see that your cuts are uneven and lumpy which is bad for grass care. Cutting during wetter periods will also cause the soil to compact, especially when using a riding mower; this can restrict water and nutrient movement to the grass. You also put your grass at risk of fungal disease, which can kill it off, leaving your lawn dead and brown.

 

 

BS Power And Lawn Health

 

At BS Power we understand that you want to keep your lawn healthy, and to do so you need the right tools and the right tips. This article has provided you with the right tips, now you just need the right tools. There is no better place to get them than at BS Power. So, if you are interested, visit our website today to learn more about our amazing range of ride on mowers.