Category: Lawn Care Basics

Will Grass Seed Grow If I Just Throw It Down?

Posted on By Willy Green 1 Comment on Will Grass Seed Grow If I Just Throw It Down?



Will Grass Seed Grow If I Just Throw It Down?

Will grass seed grow if I just throw it down? The thought has definitely crossed my mind. I’m sure you want your lawn to be the envy of the neighborhood, you want to get your lawn to look like a million dollars, if not two! This is definitely possible and we want to help you achieve this. But then, you must have been wondering if you’ll get lucky and not have to do much. It’s normal to be tempted to look the easy way and just simply throw your grass seed on the ground and expect it to grow, but let’s see if it will.

Will grass seed grow if I just throw it on the ground?

Well, grass seeds can actually grow if you just throw them on the ground. However the coverage won’t be as good because they’ll not be evenly spread as some seeds will die off after some time and the germination rate would be really poor. 

If you want to turn your lawn into an impressive-looking one, it’s important you have a proper planting and maintenance procedure that’ll give your lawn the perfect growing conditions. Here, I’ll be discussing all the tips from preparing your garden soil to raking in the seeds that can help you grow lush lawns that everyone will admire.

How To Properly Prepare Soil For Grass Seed

Preparing the soil before planting grass seeds can significantly improve the results. If you want to get that stunning look you desire, then it’s important you follow the steps below to ensure you prepare your soil adequately.

Step 1: Test the pH of your soil

Testing the pH of your soil is a very important procedure. It’s important that your soil pH is between 6.0 and 7.0. There are several ways to test the pH of your soil within a short time. This is a 4 in 1 pH meter, Temperature, Sunlight, and Moisture meter that has an easy to read display. This is going to take care of everything with one device.  Make sure to test your soil while it’s dry.

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This soil tester will measure the pH, moisture, light, and temperature to help you stay on top of your gardening needs.

If you find out that your soil is not within the ideal range, you’ll need to adjust it. Like I mentioned earlier, grass loves a pH range of 6.0-7.0. You can use lime or wood ash to raise the pH level of your soil. Composted manure and sulfur are good agents that can help you lower your soil pH levels.

 

Step 2: Clear your ground very well and loosen the soil

The next step once you have gotten your soil ready is to clear the area you are preparing. Try as much as possible to remove weeds, stones, etc. You can use a rotary tiller if your lawn is really large, but a spade should do just fine if the area is small. Loosening your soil will help to get it aerated and bring it better-growing conditions.

Step 3:

Rake your soil to get the old grass out. Make sure to remove the old grass as it can poison the roots of your new grass seeds. You’ll need to leave your soil for one to two weeks, so you’ll allow the weeds to emerge so you can remove them evenly.

Step 4: Spray the area with water and add nutrients to your soil

You’ll also need to spray the area with water and add compost or slow-release fertilizer to your soil.

Step 5: It’s time to plant!

Buy high-quality grass seed, this will increase the chances of more seeds germinating. If you have a small area, simply use your hand to spread the seed on the ground. A spreader would be much easier and faster for larger areas. Make sure to cover the seeds with a quarter-inch of soil and apply fertilizer.

How To Rake In Grass Seed

Raking your seeds into the ground will help to stimulate germination. Simply spreading the seeds on the ground is not enough to ensure immediate growth. You’ll need to take in the grass seeds.

So take your leaf rake and use the back to gently move the seeds into the soil slowly. The seeds shouldn’t get too deep into the soil, just light strokes should do the trick.

Raking your seeds into the soil properly will help to speed up germination. And within two to four weeks, you should notice a few seeds poking out of the soil. If you don’t take your seeds into the soil, they may die or get exposed to other unfavorable conditions.

Best Conditions For Grass Seed

For your grass seeds to germinate well, you’ll need to provide them with the best conditions. They thrive in moist soil. Avoid overly wet conditions that may wash away the seeds. But ensure the soil is moist enough to ensure germination.

Once you’ve planted your seeds don’t let the soil dry out until you notice a fine growth where you’ve sowed them. Don’t plant grass seeds on a windy day, you don’t want your seeds to be blown off. This is why winter isn’t the best time to plant these seeds.

Summer can be a bit troubling too, as your soil will quickly run out of water at this time. But most importantly, you should choose the best time of the year to plant your seeds. This will depend on the grass seed you are planting and your region.

For best results, it’s important you plant your seeds in their natural active period and purchase a suitable seed for your region. Some seeds are sun-loving, some others only need a few hours of sunlight.

For cool-season grasses like bluegrass, and fescue, early fall should be a great time for planting. These species of grass thrive in cooler northern climates. For warm-season grasses like Bahiagrass, late spring would be an ideal time to plant. These grasses grow very well in southern and western regions.

What To Do If Grass Seed Doesn’t Grow?

If your grass seed isn’t growing after several weeks, it means there’s something wrong. It can be frustrating after preparing, planting, and fertilizing and the seeds just won’t grow.

First, let’s examine some reasons why this may happen. The most common problem is lack of sunlight, it could be that you have planted sun-loving grass under shade.

But most times, the issue is that trees and buildings around the area are shading the area from sunlight. So if you’ve planted sun-loving grass in an area that has well-matured trees, your seeds might not grow. So what do you do now?

You’ll definitely not want to cut down the trees you’ve enjoyed for years. But you’ll have to plant a variety that can deal with your shaded area. Shade-tolerant grass seeds like velvet bentgrass can handle just a few hours of sunlight.

Don’t assume that feeding your plants with more fertilizer will make them grow, you must plant the right plant in the right place for it to grow.

Other times, some homeowners discover that an area of the lawn seems stressed. This usually happens during extreme weather conditions when it’s too hot and dry. Then the issue could be that there’s an underground object stopping the root from getting to the soil reservoir where they can get water and nutrients or you’ve got hard clay soil.

At this point, you may need to dig up your soil and aerate. Your grass also needs airflow. Airflow decreases the possibility of diseases. If you’ve got a privacy screen and too many trees, you may need to limb-up trees and shrubs to allow greater airflow. Installing fans is another quite expensive option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will grass seed grow if not covered?

Yes, grass seed may grow if not covered. But it’s always better to add a layer of topsoil at least or compost over your seeds. This will not only keep it moist, but it’ll also help to prevent it from being food for the birds.

Will grass seed grow over dead grass?

Grass seed will not grow if it’s lying on dead grass. You’ll need to remove the dead grass and expose the soil. Tilling the soil will help to loosen the top layer of the soil and ensure your seeds germinate correctly.

Will grass seed die if not watered right away?

No, the grass seed will lay there dormant when not given the right growing conditions. All seeds require moisture for germination to take place. But then, once the seed starts to germinate, if they are not given proper care and they are left dry, they’ll die.

Will grass seed grow if you walk on it?

Grass seedlings are very fragile. So it’ll be nice to avoid or reduce walking on your lawn for at least a month after planting. The seedlings can be damaged by foot traffic, so ideally you should wait till your grass has been mowed 2 times before exposing it to the usual traffic. Otherwise, simply walking across your lawn to water it shouldn’t stop it from growing, but you’ll need to be careful so the seeds don’t stick to your shoes.

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Gardening, Lawn Care, Lawn Care Basics, Lawn Grass

How Short To Cut Grass Before Winter?

Posted on By Willy Green 7 Comments on How Short To Cut Grass Before Winter?



How Short To Cut Grass Before Winter?

During the cold months of winter, your lawn doesn't really need that much care. This means you must get it right in the fall as that is the last chance you have to cut your grass before winter sets in. Many people are confused about exactly just how short they will need to cut their grass before winter and the first freeze of the year.

What do the experts have to say? What effects will cutting your grass too short or too long have on your lawn during winter? What is the recommended grass cutting height just before winter? You will learn more while we try to answer these questions.

​The recommended cutting length for grass before the winter is on average 2 inches long. For Bermuda and bent grass varieties the length should be a little shorter (Around 1-2 Inches).​

Importance of Preparing Your Lawn during the fall

Due to the extreme winter weather, you really won't be able to give your lawn much attention. Unless your area of residence is warm all year round, you will have to put away your string trimmer until spring. Preparing your lawn properly can ensure it survives even the harshest winter and guarantees that it will be gorgeous and lush with the rolling of the spring.

Experts recommend that you fertilize your lawn around early winter or late fall if your lawn is made up from cool season grasses such as Bermuda and Bluegrass. Just before the first freeze, ensure you give your grass thorough fertilizing with a good organic or even an non-organic fertilizer. This will renew the nutrient content of the soil that was lost during the hot summer months. When winter falls, the fertilizer will stay in the soil to help feed your grass roots throughout the winter months.

Another important step in preparing your lawn before winter is to clean off all debris such as dry plant leaves, tree limbs, logs, branches and other objects. Any debris you leave on your lawn during winter will create a dead spot due to the weight of the object. You can also aerate your lawn and make sure people do not walk on the dry dormant grass, which might limit their resilient.

Cutting Your Grass before Winter

How Short To Cut Grass Before Winter 

The best tool to use to mow your lawn just before winter is either a commercial weed trimmer or commercial weed eater and or a lawn mower. These important lawn maintenance tools are generally lightweight, easy to use, convenient, and produce far better results than any other option available. Experts contend that you should progressively lower the cutting base of your lawn mower each time you mow your lawn. Slowly cutting your grass shorter will allow the lawn to adapt well without the shock of being cut all off at once.

The proper cutting technique requires that you do not take off more than one-third of the grass blade during a single mowing. People refer to this as the one-third rule. For instance, if you need to take your grass down from 4 inches to 3 inches, you must do it progressively. In other words, it must take a couple of mowing's to achieve the proper height. A good commercial weed trimmer can help you achieve a great mow just before winter.

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What Is The Proper Cutting Height?

There is no agreement as to the exact height you should cut your grass. Different grass species or varieties may require different conditions. However, most people would agree that the height of your grass after the last cutting should be averagely 2 inches. This length is ideal for most cool season turfs such as the famous Kentucky bluegrass. The lengths should be shorter (about 1 inch to 2 inches) for Bermuda and bent grass varieties.

Having 2-3 inches of greens allows your lawn to optimize its photosynthesis during the harsh winter months and therefore maintain resilience. This height also promotes root growth and boosts stress tolerance ahead of cold winter weather.

How Short To Cut Grass Before Winter 

Effects of Cutting Grass Too High or too short

You don't want your grass any higher than 3 inches after the last cut before winter because such grass has the tendency to compress or mat’ under snowfall. Such matted grass will invite diseases such as the terrible snow mold. At three inches, the grass will still be able to shade the soil from the hot summer sun just before the first freeze.

Cutting lower than 2 inches, on the other hand, forces the grass to use more nutrients to accelerate their growth and regain missing height. This will happen at the expense of underground growth, which would otherwise keep weeds at bay. Cutting your grass too short may cause it to go into hibernation much too early or may stress your lawn to the point where it starts to die off. You definitely do not want this to happen.

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Conclusion

If you want your lawn to survive even the harshest winter months then you will ensure you prepare it well before the first freeze. A vital step before you start that commercial weed eater is to cut your grass to the correct height to allow your lawn to maintain its resilience once springtime comes. Remember to maintain the one-third rule at all times. All of these things along with regular watering and feeding will help to ensure that your lawn is looking fabulous all year round. Do you know some tips or tricks that will have your lawn looking like it should be in better homes and gardens? Drop a comment.

 

Gardening How to, Gardening Tools, Lawn Care, Lawn Care Basics, Lawn Grass

How Often Should You Mow Your Lawn

Posted on By Willy Green No Comments on How Often Should You Mow Your Lawn

 

How Often Should You Mow Your Lawn

It’s a question we often ask ourselves when looking out at the garden – just how often should you mow the lawn? Do I need to mow it today, or can I let it go a few more days? Will the grass grow better if I let it grow a bit longer, or is it better to mow it short and often?

To get the perfect looking lawn there are some important rules that should be followed if you want to make your neighbors envious of your lush green garden.

How frequently you mow the grass is the main factor in creating a perfect lawn. There are, of course, other factors that will help, but mowing is way up at the top of the list.

But before we rush out and power up the mower let’s look at some important preparations that need to be done first.

BEFORE YOU MOW

Mower blades need to be sharp. Using dull, rusty blades will tear and rip out the grass. This will damage or even remove the roots and leave the lawn thin and bare in patches. Get the blades professionally sharpened or have a go yourself, but get them nice and sharp. You can use a blade sharpener like this if you don’t already have one. This set is currently available for $9.99.

This will help get a cleaner cut, chopping off the top of the grass and allowing it to thicken up at the bottom. It will grow outwards across the dirt and create a thicker, lusher lawn.

Blade height is also important. The grass looks best at a height between 1 and 2 inches. The height you choose is up to you. If you like to practice your golf putting you will want it really short, but if you like the feel of cool grass on your bare feet then leave it a bit longer.

All mowers have a blade height adjustment, usually on both the front and back wheels. Test the height on a bit of lawn to get the right setting, and don’t forget to make sure the back setting is the same as the front, and that both sides of the mower are the same level. This is easy to miss and will lead to an uneven cut.

Also Read; ​Best Hearing Protection for Lawn Mowing

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How Short To Cut Grass Before Winter?​​​

HOW OFTEN SHOULD WE MOW?

So now we are all set and ready to mow, let’s get to the important bit – how often should we get out there and cut the grass?

Well, despite what some people will tell you, there is no fixed rule. We are dealing with a natural, living plant and it will grow very differently in Portland than it will in Vegas. When you think about it, it’s obvious, it all depends on how quickly your grass grows!

The aim is to cut a third of the height off the grass each time you mow. This will keep enough green on the plant to stay healthy and encourage root growth. If the grass cannot grow up, it will grow outwards, making it thicker and helping cover the ground.

Work out how long you like your grass to be, and how quickly your grass grows, this will determine how often you mow.

A very general rule would be about once a week. This fits in well with those who work during the week and only get into the yard at the weekends and it works well with most people’s lawns. This could stretch out to once every two weeks if your grass grows slowly, or increase to twice a week if you get plenty of sun and rain and like a well-kept garden.

If you are trying to tame an overgrown jungle of a lawn do not be tempted to set the mower onto the lowest setting and get it all cut down at once. You should stick to the ‘one third’ rule. Set the blade height to cut one third and mow. Allow the grass to recover for a week and then mow another third off. Continue until you have the desired height. This method will not ‘shock’ the grass and allows it to get used to its new, reduced size in between mowing.

Regular mowing of a third at a time will make the grass grow your lawn will thank you for your patience!

If you get a  hot, dry period, leave the grass to grow a little longer than usual to allow it to retain more moisture, it will look greener this way and will help prevent browning or yellowing of the grass.

In arid areas or dry periods, it is a good idea to leave the mowing scattered on the lawn rather than collected in the box. It may not look so good but the mowing will act as a mulch and help keep moisture in the earth. The clippings will soon decompose and disappear.

Try to avoid mowing when the grass is very wet. The cut grass will stick to the blades making them blunt, the wet grass will rip out the ground easier so you will lose some roots, and the wet grass sticks to the underneath of the mower and makes it a real chore to clean.

Most of us will find a balance between our desire for an amazing lawn, and the time and energy we are actually prepared to put into working on it. There is no doubt that your lawn is a perfect example of the saying ‘the more you put into it, the more you get out of it’. If you water, fertilize, do some spot weed control and mow regularly, you will be rewarded with a lush, green blanket of grass that will be the envy of the neighborhood.

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CONCLUSION

So, what have we learned? How often you mow your lawn will depend on a number of factors: how quickly your grass grows, how frequently you can get out to mow it, and whether you are taming a jungle or encouraging growth from a dry, brown, patchy area that should be a lawn!

Just remember to mow regularly using the ‘one third at a time’ rule, water the lawn in dry periods and feed it with nutrients if you need to. Try to avoid mowing when wet, and keep your mower blades as sharp as possible.

This approach should reward you with a beautiful lawn worthy of the White House itself!

 


 

 

Gardening How to, Lawn Care, Lawn Care Basics, Lawn Grass, Lawn Tools

Best Hearing Protection for Lawn Mowing

Posted on By Willy Green 1 Comment on Best Hearing Protection for Lawn Mowing

Best Hearing Protection for Lawn Mowing

Most people appreciate the look of a well-manicured lawn. And there really is great satisfaction to be had when you finish mowing the lawn, and take a step back to appreciate a job well done.

However, what you probably don’t enjoy is all of the noise which comes from your lawn mower and the other lawn equipment that you use. Whether this is a task you carry out daily or once a year, hearing protection should always be at the top of the list of tools that you will be using while in these conditions.

While lawn mowers vary in the amount of noise they make, most will produce a minimum of 90 decibels, which is not a healthy noise level to be exposed to and yes continuous noise exposure at these levels will lead to permanent hearing loss and also possibly tinnitus. The threshold that we want to be underneath is 85 decibels.

You may be thinking to yourself, “hey that’s only a difference of 5 decibels, do I really need to bother wearing hearing protection?” YES YOU DO!!! Sound pressure actually doubles every 3 decibels! Yes you read that correctly. So this means that damage happens very quickly in a short amount of time. Please always wear your hearing protection when using all of your lawn and garden equipment and anytime you are in noisy conditions. If you are in an environment where the decibel levels are 100 or more then you absolutely should wear double hearing protection! That means wearing the little inserts or ear plugs and also wear ear muffs over that. It may sound excessive, but then so are the prices hearing aids!!!!

Thankfully, you don’t simply have to put up with this. Here are a few of the best hearing protection options to reduce your noise exposure while mowing your lawn.

Image Product Name Our Rating Price

WorkTunes Connect + Gel Ear Cushions Hearing Protector with Bluetooth

 Five Stars

*****

 $105.13
3M WorkTunes Connect Hearing Protector Four Stars

****

 $50.19

ClearArmor 141001 Hearing Protection Ear Muffs

 Three Stars

***

 $16.95

Professional Safety Ear Muffs by Decibel Defense

 Four Stars

****

 $24.79

Howard Leight Sound Amplification Earmuffs

 Four Stars

****

 $87.62

Top 5 Best Hearing Protection for Lawn Mowing Reviews

It can be hard to decide which product is best to protect your precious hearing. But don’t worry because we’ve put together an extensive guide for you here. Featuring five of the best current options available to choose from when looking for the best hearing protection for lawn mowing. Seriously try to make sure you don’t put your hearing at risk while mowing the lawn. There is no cure for hearing loss.

1.WorkTunes Connect + Gel Ear Cushions Hearing Protector with Bluetooth

The first entry on our list, these ear muffs are the 3M brand Work Tunes Connect + Gel Ear Cushions. They are designed to reduce noise from all sorts of noisy tasks, jobs and pastimes, including industrial work, shooting, welding and airport noise, so they are ideal for turning the noise of lawn mowing into a low whisper.

3M has deliberately not aimed to cancel noise completely, as a safe level of noise can be necessary to predict any dangers or hazards in a situation. For instance, your lawn mower blades could touch an obstacle. Instead, these ear muffs reduce noise by between 28 decibels and 34 decibels.

This should reduce the noise enough so that it is similar to the sound of a conversation at home or in a restaurant. With soft gel ear cushions, and an ergonomic padded headband, along with adjustable and rotating ear cups, these ear muffs give a fit which you can personalize for extra comfort and noise reduction.

Pros

  • Padded headband

  • Soft Gel earmuff cups

  • Significant noise reduction

  • Adjustable design

  • Foldable for easy transport

Cons

  • Can be tight fitting

  • Flimsy hinges


2. 3M WorkTunes Connect Hearing Protector

One of the key plus points of this hearing protector by 3M Safety is the fact it comes with integrated bluetooth technology. That means you can stream entertainment from your mobile phone, or any other device you have which is enabled with Bluetooth, so that you can listen to music while you mow your lawn.

That could definitely help the time to pass in a more enjoyable way if mowing the lawn isn’t your favorite garden maintenance task. You can also make and take phone calls without the need to take your hearing protection off as there is also an integrated microphone feature.

Lightweight and comfortable, these ear muffs will reduce the noise of your lawn mower by around 24 decibels, bringing the sound down to a comfortable level. Soft ear cushions make these comfortable to wear, and the headband has been deliberately designed with a low profile so that you can wear a hat along with your ear protection.

Pros

  • Bluetooth technology

  • High-quality hi-fi sound

  • Integrated microphone

  • Noise reduction of up to 24 decibels

  • Cord free

Cons

  • Unreliable wi-fi connection

  • Low music audio levels


3. ClearArmor 141001 Hearing Protection Ear Muffs

ClearArmor’s ear protection ear muffs are cleverly designed with three layers of foam, each designed to reduce noise from different sound frequencies. This technology is coupled with a tight seal around the ears to dampen harmful sound levels. Sound should bounce off the ear cuffs as a result of their shape, rather than being absorbed by your ear.

This option also features soft ear muffs for extra comfort as well as the ability to tilt the angle of the ear protection and the headband so that you can customize the fit to the best protection for you. The headband can be altered by a width of one-and-a-half inches, so can be moved into position to fit your head, whether you need a small or a large fitting for your head.

These are ClearArmor’s most effective noise-cancelling protection, so if you do decide on an option from this brand, these ear muffs offer the greatest sound reduction to protect your hearing.

Pros

  • Sonic seal to block sound leakage

  • Shell designed to reflect sound

  • 3 layers of sound reducing foam

  • Adjustable headband

  • Foam ear cushions for comfort

Cons

  • Tight for large heads

  • Ear cups can slide

4. Professional Safety Ear Muffs by Decibel Defense

A big draw for this safety ear muffs by Decibel Defense is the amount they can reduce noise by. Offering a reduction of 37 decibels, Decibel Defense makes a promise that these muffs cut down noise by more than any other safety earmuffs.

That should take the 90 decibels of your lawn mower down to a much more comfortable level for your hearing. Plus, these earmuffs could be considered a risk-free purchase as there is a money-back guarantee if you aren’t happy with them.

Pros

  • Foldable and compact for travel

  • Extra large sizes available for large heads

  • Comfortable headband with padded design

  • Sturdy construction

  • Money-back guarantee

Cons

  • Slightly heavier than some models

  • Can be tight


5. Howard Leight Sound Amplification Earmuffs

Okay, this may sound like these earmuffs do the opposite of what you would expect as they are described as a sound amplification device. However bear with us for the final ear protection option on our list. These Howard Leight earmuffs are indeed designed to amplify sound.

However, they only enhance sound which is below a safe level for your hearing. Any sound over 82 decibels should be blocked out. That means you should be able to have a conversation, and retain full situational awareness while you are mowing the lawn, but if the noise does get up to dangerous levels for your hearing, the earmuffs will automatically shut off any loud, sudden sounds to make sure that your ears are protected.

There’s also a stereo jack, so if you do want to use these as normal headphones when your tasks in the garden are completed, you can simply connect them to your audio source.

Pros

  • Amplifies lower level noise such as conversation

  • Automatically offers protection when sound levels reach 82 decibels or above

  • Can reduce noise by around 22 decibels

  • Low profile earmuffs which fit snuggly to your face

  • External audio jack to use as normal headphones

Cons

  • Best only for outdoor activities

  • Seal not always tight around earmuffs


Things to consider before buying hearing protection for lawn mowing

While you may not be standing close to a jumbo jet on take-off or landing, or experiencing the sort of volume your ears would be exposed to at a rock concert, you do need to be aware that mowing the lawn can still produce decibel levels which aren’t healthy for your hearing, particularly if you are exposed to this noise for lengthy periods of time.

Here is what we considered when selecting the best options for ear protection for you while you are mowing the lawn:

  • Decibel reduction: Did the ear protection muffs in question lower the decibel enough to be in a healthy range for your hearing?

  • Comfort: Depending on the size and condition of the lawns you are mowing, the task may take some time. Were the earmuffs comfortable to wear while completing the job?

  • Value: While your hearing is clearly more valuable than anything monetary, it is still important to consider whether you are getting value for money. Are the ear muffs a good price for the level of protection they are offering?

Features to look for in lawn mowing protection

There are a wide range of options available to protect your ears from all sorts of noises, including while you are at work, carrying out DIY, attending a music concert, shooting, or mowing your lawn.

As such, the choice can be bewildering. So, how do you ensure you choose the right option to provide you with the features and the protection that you need? Here are the factors you should consider:

  • Noise reduction. As a typical lawn mower creates noise around the 90 decibel level, you will want to lower that to a noise range  which is much more comfortable for your hearing. The level of noise reduction you choose may also depend on how sensitive your hearing is.

  • Comfort. You’ll be wearing your ear protectors for a fairly long period of time while you mow your lawn, so you’ll want to make sure they are comfortable. Look for ear protection which has cushioned ear muffs.

  • Adjustability. Obviously, not everyone has a head the same shape and size. Check if the option you are looking at allows you to make adjustments to the headband and the angle of the ear muffs.

  • Extra features. Is it important to you to be able to listen to the radio, or music while you work? Do you want to be able to make phone calls while you carry on with your task? If so, you’ll want to choose a pair which have bluetooth.

  • Situational awareness. It’s important, for safety reasons, that you can still hear some noise, so look at reducing the sound rather than eliminating it completely with your ear protection. Also, if you need to be able to carry on with conversations while reducing the noise of your lawn mower, opt for a pair of ear protectors which amplify conversation but dampen louder noise.

Conclusion

We hope you are well informed after reading our guide, and that you are ready to take the important step of buying ear protection to safeguard your hearing.

From our point of view, the Professional Safety Ear Muffs by Decibel Defence are the best option as they reduce the decibel level you are exposed to by the highest amount for the cheapest price. That’s not to say it’s the very best available option, but for the price, it’s hard to beat.

However, the other options on this list are also a great buy and, depending on your needs, you may find one of the other choices is actually a better option for you.

For instance, if you like to listen to music to make the time pass more quickly while you work, you may decide on the 3M WorkTunes protector. Or, if you need to be able to converse with colleagues, you could opt for the Howard Leigh Sound Amplification Earmuffs.

Have you found the right earmuffs for lawn mowing here? What are your priorities when looking for the best hearing protection for lawn mowing? Let us know in the comments below.

And, if you have found this article helpful, don’t forget to share it with your friends and family, particularly if any of them are often exposed to noise at work or home. It might help them to find the best ear protection for them too. Hopefully now you have a better understanding of what exactly is the Best Hearing Protection for Lawn Mowing and other outdoor activities.


Gardening Tools, Lawn Care, Lawn Care Basics, Lawn Tools, Product Reviews

Tips on How to Cut Grass after Rain

Posted on By Willy Green No Comments on Tips on How to Cut Grass after Rain



 

Tips on How to Cut Grass after Rain

Rain to grass is what gasoline is to fire. With just a few good days of rain, the grass would have grown enough to require mowing. Especially in the spring months. However, it really is not advisable to cut grass when it is wet. Wet grass tends to bend over due to the weight of water on their blades making it difficult to achieve a straight cut during mowing.

Another problem is that the wet grass may clump on your lawn and inside your mower cavity. The clumps may kill the grass underneath them if they are not properly raked. However, it is may also be a bad idea to wait until the grass dries to give your lawn a cut. So, what can you do if your grass is overgrowing yet it’s a rainy season? You can prepare your lawn and achieve straight cuts by using the following tips:

Requirements

How to Cut Grass after Rain

Step 1: Set Cutting Height at Its Highest

You can cut your grass by using either a lawnmower or a string trimmer, also known as a commercial weed eater. This step is unnecessary if you are using a string trimmer. In case you are using a lawnmower, set its blade to its highest cutting setting and turn off the mulching feature. This will prevent the death of grass that is underneath the clumps if raking is not done quickly. If your mower has a bag attachment, ensure you remove it and then set the mower to blow grass out via the side-discharge event.

Step 2: Cut around Your Lawn’s Perimeter

Start by cutting your lawn around its perimeter. While doing this, ensure the commercial weed eater or lawn mower is set to blow the cut grass in a direction away from the center of your lawn. Do not be in a hurry when cutting to give the mower or trimmer enough time to cut through the wet grass adequately.

Step 3: Cut Progressively Inwards

Once you have cut the perimeter of your lawn, you should take another strip on the outer edge of the unmowed lawn so that you cut progressively inwards. Ensure the cut grass is through in the direction of the already mowed part of the lawn and away from the center of the lawn.

A good practice is to cut half rows only such that one-half of the mower blade is on the already cut part while the other half remains on the unpowered part of the lawn. This means the cutting blade of the mower or the string of a weed eater only has a little amount of wet grass do deal with.

Step 4: Take Care of Clumps of Wet Grass

You will need to take periods of rest to remove any clumps that may be in the cavity of the mower if you are using a mower. Make sure you shut off the mower before and the blades have stopped before removing the clumps. Do the same with a string trimmer. Removing the clumps will ensure the wet cut grass is blown or thrown easily.

Step 5: Rake off Grass Clippings

Once you have cut grass on the entire lawn, take the time to thoroughly rake off wet grass clippings from your lawn. Some landscapers recommend that you wait a day or two and run the commercial weed eater or lawn mower over the lawn to spread the grass clippings uniformly over the lawn and let them decompose to add nutrients to the lawn. However, the grass clumps could ruin your lawn so it is best to rake off the glass altogether.

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Conclusion

There is no need to wait until your grass dries if it has overgrown and it is a rainy season. If you use the right techniques, you will still achieve straight, good quality cut and maintain the aesthetic appearance of your lawn. Many homeowners have used these tips successfully. One thing you need to keep in mind is never to rain while it is raining as the rainwater may harm the mechanical components of your commercial weed eaters or lawn mower.

 

Gardening How to, Lawn Care, Lawn Care Basics, Lawn Grass
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