Yep, today was the day. I mowed the grass for the first time. That’s always a big day in the spring. I had to rush quite a bit at the end because there were storms coming, but I made it! As I mowed I made a mental list of all the garden clean up I still need to do. There is quite a bit to do, but I’ll just take it one bed at a time and one plant at a time and soon enough, I’ll be done.

If all goes well, tomorrow morning, I’ll start back on the Ivy Eradictation project and then move on to other garden clean up.

Mowing tips…

Mow high, it really does make a difference. I usually mow on the next to the highest setting. Then, if the grass gets ahead of me, I can always raise the mower to the highest setting.

Use a mulching mower and leave the grass clippings on the lawn. They do not cause thatch. The dead roots cause thatch.

Alter the direction you mow. This helps prevent ruts and keep things more even overall. Up and down, back and forth, diagonally one way, diagonally the other way, and round and round. Of course, where there are smaller patches of grass, like on the side yards, this may not be possible.

Keep the blade sharp. A dull blade tears off the grass instead of cutting it and you end up with brown tips on the grass and an overall ragged appearance.

Enjoy the exercise. It’s nice to get out and get some exercise and fresh air and have an immediate result (nicely mowed lawn) all at the same time. It beats the monotony of a treadmill any day!