A blunt knife may lead to staining, draw insects, and promote weed proliferation.
Lawn mowers see extensive use in spring and summer as grass appears to grow rapidly during these seasons. To stay current with how often they’re needed, you’ll want to ensure yours is properly maintained.
The lawn mower requires maintenance.
During the course of two seasons, alongside routine maintenance such as changing the oil and inspecting the air filter and spark plugs, make sure that your lawn mower blade stays sharp for maintaining a neat-looking yard.
Apart from enhancing looks, a finely honed lawnmower blade is crucial for maintaining your lawn’s well-being. A blunt blade can result in an unattractive, irregular, and discolored turf. It may produce frayed ends that render your grass vulnerable to infestations, weed growth, dehydration, and illness. In essence, using a worn-out mower blade detracts from both the vitality and visual appeal of your grass. Therefore, what signs should you look out for to determine when it’s time to sharpen your mower blade?
We consulted with lawn maintenance professionals who revealed the primary indicators that your lawnmower blade requires sharpening, ensuring your grass thrives throughout the entire season.
Meet the Expert
-
Matthew Koch
research associate specializing in lawn care
Scotts Miracle-Gro -
Eric Halfman
, the market manager for ride-on mowers and Gator utility vehicles at
John Deere -
Chris Ramos
, a specialist in gardening and lawns at
Blain’s Farm & Fleet
Related:
9 Errors You Might Be Committing While Cutting Your Grass—And What Professionals Recommend Doing Differently
Uneven Cut or Scalping
The secret to a clean cut lies in having a razor-sharp lawnmower blade.
obtaining a smooth, uniform slice
Any outcome besides this might indicate that you should hone your lawnmower blade. According to Matthew Koch, an authority from Scotts Miracle-Gro, “Should your yard appear spotty or irregular despite maintaining a uniform cutting height, your blade could likely be blunt or impaired.” Another indication that your lawnmower’s blade requires honing is when parts of your grass are being cut too short, revealing patches of bare earth.
Ragged or Tattered Grass Edges
Boring lawnmower blades may cause tears or rips in the top part of the grass, making your yard look dry and brown, according to Eric Halfman, who works as a market launch manager for lawn equipment at John Deere. Additionally, he notes that such tearing can allow diseases to enter more easily. “Sharp lawnmower blades generate a lifting action leading to cleaner cuts and less harm to the lawn,” clarifies Halfman.
Consuming Fuel More Rapidly
If you observe your fuel levels dropping quicker than usual, it could indicate that your lawn mower blade requires sharpening. As per gardening and lawn specialist Chris Ramos, “Blades that are not sharp can cause the engine to exert extra effort, thereby consuming about 20 percent more fuel.” He suggests taking preventative measures against this issue.
refining your lawnmower blade every four weeks
To protect your lawn and conserve energy.
Increased Mowing Effort
Everyone familiar with mowing lawns understands that it demands quite a bit of physical effort. However, if you find yourself pushing more forcefully or for an extended period, this might indicate that your blade requires sharpening. According to Koch, “When your mower struggles, slows down, gets stuck, or necessitates several sweeps to achieve a neat trim, these signs point towards a dulled blade that can’t slice through grass effectively.” An experienced operator ought to discern the appropriate amount of force required to maintain a well-sharpened blade and identify when there’s a problem at hand.
Dull or Grayish-Looking Grass Appearance
Examine your lawn for issues
alteration in hue following every trim
It should appear as lively green throughout summer, rather than turning yellow, brown, or becoming faded. If you notice a shift in the hue of your grass post-mowing, this might indicate that your lawnmower blade requires sharpening. These color variations may range from being very noticeable to more discreet; however, they typically stem from the same issue—the need for maintenance on your mower blade. As Koch points out, “When cut with an unsharpened blade, a lawn frequently develops a cloudy or subdued appearance under direct sun.”
A blade that appears visibly bent, rusted, or nicked
Inspect your lawn mower blade regularly during the summer for any noticeable dents, deformations, or signs of rust. Such flaws could indicate that you need to hone your mower blade. As Koch points out, “Any physical harm or deterioration can impact how well the blade cuts and must be resolved promptly.”
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Martha Stewart
