How to Mow an Overgrown Lawn

There’s no denying that the rainy season is officially here in Florida. Between our daily afternoon showers and our massive, rumbling thunderstorms, we’re seeing plenty of saturation all across the state. And while our plants may love a healthy dose of natural rainwater, having soil that’s constantly saturated can make it difficult to mow on a regular basis.

If you’ve been trying to wait for a dry morning, or even if you went on vacation and forgot to hire a lawn mowing service in your absence, your grass has probably gotten a little too tall to handle. Never fear: the mower parts specialists at Gator Mower Parts are here with a few helpful tips to make mowing a breeze, even when the grass comes up to your knees.

Step 1: Prep

If you’ve read any of our blogs, you know that our rule number one is to regularly sharpen your blades during mowing season. This is doubly important when you’re about to mow a challenging lawn. Keeping your mower blades sharp helps them to cut cleanly through the grass instead of snagging and tearing at it.

While you’re preparing, be sure to double check your mowing area for lawn debris like large sticks and stones. They can be difficult to see beneath the brush. Also, wear some protective clothing and eyewear for this job, just in case you missed a hidden projectile.

Step 2: The First Pass

When you make your first pass on your grass, you’ll want to adjust it to its highest setting. This will help prevent damage to your grass, and it’ll also help make sure your mower doesn’t stall out while working on difficult terrain.

Keep in mind that this first pass will be the most difficult. Be sure to take your time in each section, as your mower may struggle to churn through all the mulch and clippings you’re kicking up.

Step 3: The Second Pass

At this point, if you’re exhausted, take a break! It won’t hurt to give your grass some time to rest so it doesn’t get sick or stressed. If you’re ready to keep going, though, adjust your mower height back down to a more manageable level, remembering once again not to cut off too much grass at one time.

Just as with the first pass, you’ll want to take your time, although you should find the mower moves much more easily this round. If you do need to clear clogs or large grass plugs from the blade, be sure the mower has come to a complete stop first and that you’re wearing appropriate safety gear. Burns and cuts are possible if you’re careless!

Step 4: The Finishing Touches

After a couple of days, you’ll notice your lawn looks much tidier with its new trim. This is a great time to do any edging or extra trimming to make everything look neat and tidy. It’s a good idea to start off with your string trimmer to take down extra tall grass in corners and along the edges of your fence.

If you haven’t been able to get around to the mowing in a couple of weeks, don’t panic! Getting it back down to a presentable height is a manageable task with the right preparation and lots of patience. Remember to get your mower blade sharpened before you get started! To learn more or to schedule your mower maintenance visit, call Gator Mower Parts at 407-260-1292 today.