Seattle Lawn Mowing Guide: How to, Tools, and Best Practices Admin, Lee's Content Team, October 13, 2024October 17, 2024 Mowing is like giving your lawn a regular workout—keeps it strong and healthy. Let’s talk about something we all deal with: mowing the lawn. Whether you’re new to the game or just want to make sure you’re doing it right, I’ve got some tips, tricks, and best practices to help you keep your lawn looking sharp. And don’t worry—this isn’t rocket science, just good ol’ yard work. Summary Notes: Tools: Lawn mower, trimmer/edger, rake, leaf blower. Seattle grass types: Fine Fescue, Kentucky Bluegrass, Perennial Ryegrass. Mowing seasons: Spring (weekly), Summer (every 10-14 days), Fall (weekly), Winter (no mowing). Best practices: Don’t mow wet grass, leave grass at 2.5-3 inches, change mowing pattern, keep blades sharp. Why Mow the Lawn? Mowing your lawn isn’t just about keeping it looking neat. Regular mowing: Promotes healthy grass: It encourages the grass to grow thick, making your lawn dense and lush. Prevents weeds: A well-mowed lawn crowds out weeds, keeping them at bay. Keeps pests away: Tall grass can attract pests like ticks and mosquitoes. Keep it short to avoid inviting them in. What You’ll Need: Tools for the Job Before we get into the how, let’s talk about the what—you need the right tools. Here’s what I recommend for mowing in Seattle’s often damp, cool climate: Lawn Mower: The star of the show. Whether you use a gas-powered, electric, or battery-operated one, make sure it’s in good condition. For most Seattle lawns, a push mower or self-propelled mower works great. Trimmer/Edger: For those tight spots the mower can’t reach, like along fences or flower beds. Get a battery or gas-powered one for easy use. Rake: Seattle’s rain can leave grass clippings all over the place. A rake helps clean up afterward. Leaf Blower (Optional): If you’ve got leaves and debris scattered around, a blower is a quick way to tidy up. See also How to Design a Paver ProjectSeattle’s Grass Types Here in Seattle, our cool, wet weather is great for certain types of grass. These are the ones you’ll likely find in your yard: Fine Fescue: It’s a popular choice because it thrives in the Pacific Northwest’s shady and moist conditions. Plus, it’s low-maintenance. Kentucky Bluegrass: If you’ve got a sunny spot, this type of grass works well. It can handle foot traffic, making it ideal for kids and pets. Perennial Ryegrass: Fast-growing and tough, this is another great choice for Seattle lawns, especially if your yard gets a mix of sun and shade. Seattle Lawn Mowing Schedule Recommendations MonthFine FescueKentucky BluegrassPerennial RyegrassJanuaryNo mowing (dormant)No mowing (dormant)No mowing (dormant)FebruaryNo mowing (dormant)No mowing (dormant)No mowing (dormant)MarchMow every 2 weeksMow every 2 weeksMow every 2 weeksAprilMow weeklyMow weeklyMow weeklyMayMow weeklyMow weeklyMow weeklyJuneMow every 10-14 daysMow every 7-10 daysMow every 10-14 daysJulyMow every 10-14 daysMow every 7-10 daysMow every 10-14 daysAugustMow every 10-14 daysMow every 7-10 daysMow every 10-14 daysSeptemberMow weeklyMow weeklyMow weeklyOctoberMow weeklyMow weeklyMow weeklyNovemberMow every 2 weeksMowSeattle Lawn Mowing Schedule Recommendations Best Time to Mow Your Lawn In Seattle, mowing isn’t an all-year thing (thankfully!). The general rule is to mow when the grass is actively growing. Here’s a breakdown: Spring: Grass grows quickly in spring, so you’ll likely need to mow once a week. Summer: As things heat up, slow down the mowing a bit—every 10-14 days is fine. Aim for the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the midday heat. Fall: You’ll pick up the pace again, mowing once a week as the grass starts growing more rapidly. Winter: The grass goes dormant. Sit back, relax, and put the mower away! See also Is Your New Seattle Home Ready for Move-In?Mowing Best Practices Now that you’ve got your tools and know when to mow, let’s talk about the how to mow. Don’t Cut Too Short: You don’t want a buzz cut—leave your grass about 2.5 to 3 inches tall. Cutting it too short stresses the grass and makes it vulnerable to weeds and disease. Change Up Your Pattern: Mowing the same direction every time can cause ruts in the soil and make the grass grow in weird directions. Switch up your mowing pattern every time to keep things even. Keep Your Blades Sharp: Dull mower blades tear the grass instead of cutting it clean, which can lead to brown, unhealthy-looking lawns. Sharpen those blades at least once a season. Leave the Clippings: If you’re mowing regularly, it’s actually good to leave the clippings on the lawn. They’ll decompose and return nutrients to the soil. Just make sure they aren’t clumped together. Don’t Mow Wet Grass: This is a tough one in Seattle where we get plenty of rain. But mowing wet grass can damage the lawn, create clumps, and bog down your mower. Wait until the grass dries a bit for a cleaner cut. Edge the Lawn Last: Use your trimmer or edger to tidy up the edges after mowing. It gives your yard a crisp, clean look. Seattle Lawn Challenges Living in Seattle, we deal with a few extra challenges when it comes to lawn care: Moss: All that moisture means moss loves to take over. Regular mowing helps, but you might also need to aerate the soil or use moss-killing products. Shade: Many Seattle yards are shaded by trees, which can stunt grass growth. Choose shade-friendly grasses like Fine Fescue and don’t cut the grass too short in these areas. Wet Ground: Be cautious about mowing when the soil is too wet, as it can compact the soil and leave ruts. See also Weed Control Options in Seattle: How to, Tools, and Best PracticesWrapping It Up Lawn mowing might seem like a chore, but once you’ve got the hang of it, it’s a quick and easy way to keep your yard looking fresh and healthy. Remember, it’s all about the right tools, the right timing, and a few best practices. And hey, if you ever need help, you know where to find me—Mr. Lee is always here to lend a hand. Wet lawn in Seattle: Wait until the grass dries after a rain before mowing to avoid damage. Fine Fescue yard: Mow it regularly at around 3 inches for a thick, healthy lawn. Shady lawn: Use a Fine Fescue mix for shaded areas and avoid cutting too short. Moss problem: Regular mowing plus aeration can help fight moss in the yard. Trimmer/Edger: A tool used to cut grass in areas that the mower can’t reach. Moss: A plant that thrives in damp, shady areas and can overtake your lawn if left unchecked. Dethatch: Removing the layer of dead grass and debris on the surface of the soil to improve lawn health. ✉️ Get Started: Next Steps: We’ll review your goals, assess your property, and recommend the best materials and services. Sit back while we take care of the heavy lifting and deliver results you'll love. Request a quote today! How To Guides Landscaping