Mowing Wars: How to Stripe Your Lawn Like a Boss

So it may be an unspoken competition between you and your neighbors, but admit it. You want to have the best looking lawn on the block, right? You long for the one with the perfect stripes and the greenest blades, the one that makes people stop and gaze admiringly, the one that’s reminiscent of the flawless pattern of a picture-perfect Major League Baseball field. I know you!

While I can’t necessarily give you a green thumb and help you grow the lush, thick, carpeted lawn you’re looking for, I CAN help you mow it like a pro. Follow these steps and, before you know it, you’ll be winning the mowing wars!

Tips for Sellers: Remember that old saying “You never get a second chance to make a first impression?” While your lawn may not reflect the beauty of your home’s interior, it is the first thing potential buyers see. Present it at its best — keep grass cut, beds weeded, some color sprinkled in and sidewalks swept — and make buyers long to come inside.

Pick Your Pattern

Do you want stripes? A checkerboard? The wise face of Abraham Lincoln? Kidding on Lincoln, but you do need to choose your pattern first. If you want to decide what will look best, sketch out your lawn and shade in some patterns to find your favorite. Lawn patterns are created by bending and cutting grass blades in a particular direction, so you’ll also need to create your plan of attack on your yard.

Creating a Pattern

Once you’ve mapped out your pattern, you’ll need to pay close attention to keeping to the straight and narrow. You’ll easily notice any waves or spots where you veer off course. Line yourself up with the street, driveway or sidewalk to set yourself up in a straight line. Then, as you mow, look about 10 feet out in front of you instead of down at the mower; it’s easier to stay on course this way.

When it comes time to turn, lift the front of the mower off the ground and turn around. Make sure to stick right up against the last strip you just cut to prevent random tall stragglers. Continue this way until you are all striped up, or cut into a square or V — whatever you are going for. If you’re going a step further and making a checkerboard, simply mow the entire lawn a second time, 90 degrees to the direction in which you first cut.

Bigger and Better Stripes

Maybe you’re aiming for the major leagues. If so, you may want your stripes to be even more intense and pronounced. For this, you’ll need to get yourself a lawn roller. Or you can rent one. Take the roller and go back over the blades in the same direction you mowed. This will intensify how much the blades are bent and make your stripes stand out even more. You’re welcome.

Two more tips for the best stripes on the block:

• Don’t cut your lawn so low. Leaving your blades a little taller allows for more bend and a more lush appearance to your lawn and your pattern.
• Never cut a wet lawn. Cutting wet grass can cause it to clump up on the blade, preventing the blade from making the nice clean cuts you need for a good striping effect. Just don’t do it.

And if you or any of your neighbors you’re in mowing wars with are looking to sell your home that’s sitting on that beautifully striped lawn, give me a call! I’m here to answer questions, help you prepare for listing and handle all the details of your home sale to make it an easy, breezy process. Maybe even easier than winning those mowing wars …

Click here to see my current listings!