5 10 mowing lawns & safety

Mowing Lawns &Lawn Mower Safety

Mowing Height & Frequency• Best height for Va. mixed fescue lawns is ~3”• Never remove more than 1/3 of the grass length

in a single mowing.• Grass grows ~2” per week with optimal water• Longer grass can handle stress better

than short grass• Longer grass outcompetes weeds• Leave longer during hot midsummer• Okay to cut shorter spring and fall

Mowing

• Always mow with a sharp blade

• Blades should be sharpened annually

• Dull blades tear the grass

• Makes it look raggedy

• Makes engine work harder

Mowing Basics

• Never cut more than 1/3 of the grass blade at a time

• So, if grass is being cut at 2” and grows 1 in per week, how often should you cut it?

• What if it is being cut at 3”, but is growing 2” per week?

• What if it is being cut at 1/2”? – mow everyday

Mowing

• Always mow the perimeter first.

• Throw the clippings to the center.

• Mow a path wide enough to turn around

Mowing

• Half way down the edge, cut a center line.

• Pick a point to focus on and mow directly to that spot.

• Mow one half, and then the other

• Overlap slightly on each pass

• Diagonals look nice too

Striping

• Professionals use rollers to get striping on lawns

Patterns

• Vary the patterns to prevent tire marks and ruts

• Also makes the grass stronger

Obstacles

• Mow around the object

• Correct the line on the next pass

Clippings

• If they are small, leave them on the grass

• They decompose and add organic matter

• If they are big, bag them or double cut

• Avoid mowing wet grass

Edging

• Finish with a string trimmer or edger to clean missed spots and around walks and buildings

Lawn Mower Safety

• Video: Link

• AAP: Do not allow children younger than 14 to use ride-on mowers.

• Do not allow children younger than 12 to use walk-behind mowers.

Other rules

• Don’t put anything under the mower deck unless the mower is turned off and the spark plug is disconnected

• Dried grass and fuel are a highly flammable combination

• Don’t pull a mower unless you can’t avoid it.• Wet grass is slippery• Use foot protection – flip flops are a bad idea

Safety Test

• You must get a 100%

Fau

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FFA

An

nu

al

Ban

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et

You and your family are cordially invited

to our Annual Chapter Banquet. Join us

in celebrating our chapter and our

member’s achievements as well as

recognizing those who have supported

us throughout the year. A meal is

provided. Please RSVP by calling 428-

2152 or 428-2160 by May 4th.

Thursday, May 13th, 2010

6:00 pm

Effie Bell Cafeteria

Fauquier High School