As guests arrive at your home, one of the first things they will see is your lawn.
Is it a well-manicured and cared for lawn that is fresh green and free of weeds, or a patchy mess of scrubby yellow grass?
One of the best ways to ensure your lawn looks like the former is through regular mowing with a quality lawn mower, and all the other lawn care tools besides.
This website is dedicated to helping you learn how to look after your lawn effectively, with the right tools. Let’s start with a quick look at some of the best lawnmowers.
Manual Mowers
These are old school mowers that require one simple power source: you.
As the name implies, manual mowers, also known as push or reel mowers, don’t have an engine or electric motor.
Manual mowers have been growing in popularity in recent years as concern for the environment has continued to grow, because they are safer than most other types of lawnmowers and do not emit noxious fumes that can be detrimental to the environment.
They are also pretty well silent and tend to cost a lot less than a more traditional lawnmower.
Manual push mowers can be a great choice if you want a more environmentally conscious way of mowing your garden, or just have a small garden that doesn’t require much effort.
As an extra plus point, the cut quality from cylinder manual mowers is also typically much higher than with your bog standard petrol rotary or hover mower.
Petrol Mowers
Petrol mowers are what most of us think of when we picture lawnmowers. This type of lawnmower is most versatile and preferable for people who have large lawns as it cuts down significantly the amount of time it takes to mow, as compared to electric or manual mowers.
Petrol mowers are often height-adjustable, so you can move the deck level to the desired length of grass you want, and well-suited to rougher terrain.
Petrol mowers are a powerful and versatile means to mow even overgrown lawns. Models range widely in price and style, from basic push mowers to self-propelled mowers, and incredibly sophisticated riding mowers designed for industrial uses.
Self-Propelled Mowers
Self-propelled petrol mowers push themselves forward, and typically have a speed control driving the wheels. This makes mowing a lot easier and is especially beneficial for large lawns.
Like vehicles, lawnmowers can have different drive systems. Self-propelled mowers can be front-, rear-, or even all-wheel drive. What will work best for you will depend on the terrain of the land you are mowing and your personal preferences.
Electric Mowers
Electric mowers have been growing in popularity in recent years as an alternative to petrol mowers.There are many different types; some corded, and some cordless.
This is a relatively new type of lawn mower that is attractive for people with the right type of lawn. Electric lawnmowers really aren’t all that well-suited to large lawns, but work perfectly well with average and small lots. Most recommend using an electric mower on yards that are less than 8,000 square feet.
On the flipside, electric mowers are a lot quieter than petrol lawnmowers, which is one of the big selling points for them. You don’t need to wear ear protection when using an electric mower, and they also don’t need tune ups, oil changes, or changing spark plugs and air filters.
Mowers for Small Gardens
There are a number of options for people with small lawn spaces. Small gardens are the perfect type of lawn for using a manual lawn mower or an electric one, corded or cordless. You can use a regular petrol lawnmower in small yards, but reel mowers and electric ones may be better suited for getting smaller spaces and don’t require near the amount of upkeep to maintain as a traditional petrol lawnmower.
Cordless Mowers
Cordless electric mowers are incredibly popular as they don’t require you to stay near a power outlet to operate.
Most cordless electric mowers have an external battery that can be removed and charged when needed. The downside of a cordless electric mower is that it will have limited life due to it being battery powered. As we noted above, electric mowers of any type are best suited for smaller lawns, and this is especially true for cordless electric mowers. Most of these mowers can last for a small yard but will require multiple charges if attempting to mow a large lawn.
Many people like the convenience of being able to mow without being tied to an electrical outlet, but due to battery life the mowing time will often be less than what you get with a petrol-powered or corded mower, so keep this in mind.
Hover Mowers
Hover mowers use a fan to create a layer of air between the mower and the ground, meaning the mower hovers above the grass, providing easy access for the blades to cut the grass.
Hover mowers are often used by golf course professionals on undulating terrain, but are equally well suited to small suburban gardens. Unlike a traditional lawnmower, a hover mower has no wheels and so can move in any direction, including from side to side, which can be a big benefit for people mowing oddly shaped yards.
Choosing a mower
There are almost as many types of lawnmowers as there are lawns and choosing the one that works best for you will depend on the size and shape of your lawn and your personal preferences.
For larger lawns, self-propelled petrol mowers are usually the best way to go as they don’t require the physical effort of other types of mowers.
If you have a smaller lawn, you might prefer using a manual mower that is easy to use and maintain and can easily get tight spaces with ease. Electric mowers and hover mowers are also a great choice for people with smaller gardens.
Whatever lawnmower you choose, make sure you store it properly and keep it well maintained so that it has a long life span and will perform as desired, year after year.
For more information on how to mow properly and other aspects of lawncare, check out some popular articles from my blog: