Not Stripes Or Diamonds: The Mowing Pattern To Try For A Bold Lawn That Stands Out

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Mowing your lawn in stripes is good and all, but it's rather basic. Diamonds are a neat look, but a bit more complicated to pull off if you don't have the perfect reference point in your yard to work around. However, there is one mowing pattern that gives you the elegance of diamonds while being almost as simple to achieve as stripes. The look is called checkerboard. It's a step up in aesthetics and professionalism that doesn't require you to learn new skills or put in any extra work. Your lawn is sure to become the talk of the neighborhood because few people realize just how easy this elegant pattern is to achieve. To create a checkerboard lawn, you simply alternate the way you mow every session.

Though this technique is simple, it looks attractive, indicates to others that you take pride in your yard, and makes your grass appear healthier. It takes a classic lawn pattern — stripes — and adds a twist. The distinctive squares of the checkerboard attract attention, helping your property stand out in a sea of boring suburban lawns. What really gives this pattern curb appeal is that it's a favorite of golf course superintendents. Who wouldn't want to recreate a luxury golf course or country club lawn in their front yard? If you really don't have time to mow your lawn consistently but love this pattern, a lawn care service may be worth the money in the long run. However, if you don't have a large front yard or backyard, paying someone to create this easy pattern is probably not the best use of your gardening budget.

Ready to try out this popular mowing pattern on your lawn? Start by mowing stripes in any direction, keeping the adjacent rows as straight as possible. Then go back over your lawn one more time, but turn your mower 90 degrees, creating a set of perpendicular lines that cross the first. For example, if you normally mow your lawn from east to west, switch to north to south. If you don't have time to mow your lawn twice in one day — which is completely understandable, by the way — mow in one direction one week and the other the next week. You'll achieve a checkerboard pattern, though the lines may be a little less defined. Either way, inspect your mower blades before you begin and sharpen them if needed; it's a smart way to improve your lawn without spending a dime.

Small adjustments to your mowing technique or schedule can help you achieve a perfect, crisp checkerboard. For example, mowing too frequently can harm your turfgrass. Stretch the length of time between mowing sessions closer to once every fortnight instead of once every week, and set your mower blades higher for longer grass. You don't want to cut off more than one-third of a grass blade in a session. If you're struggling to create a well-defined checkerboard pattern, it might be time to invest in a few helpful tools. A Gadfish Lawn Roller, which comes with a hollow lawn roller and mesh roller for spreading compost, or a Beseetop Lawn Striping Kit will push your grass in one direction, making the pattern stand out more and possibly making it last longer. You could also seed your lawn with cool-season grasses — they hold a pattern better.