7 Mowing Mistakes That Are Ruining Your Lawn

Mowing seems simple, but how you mow has a bigger impact on your lawn's health than almost anything else. These seven common mistakes cause more damage than most homeowners realize — and they're all easy to fix.

Mistake #1: Cutting Too Short

This is the most damaging mowing mistake, and it's incredibly common. Cutting grass below 2.5 inches stresses the plant, exposes soil to sun (which encourages weeds), and reduces the root system.

The fix: Mow at 3 to 3.5 inches. This is especially important in the Roaring Fork Valley where intense UV at altitude puts extra stress on grass. Taller grass shades the soil, retains moisture, and naturally suppresses weed seeds.

Mistake #2: Mowing on an Irregular Schedule

Skipping two weeks and then cutting off half the grass blade is a shock to the plant. It diverts energy from root growth to blade recovery and leaves your lawn looking thin and stressed.

The fix: Mow on a consistent weekly schedule during the growing season. Never remove more than one-third of the blade height at once. If you get behind, raise the mower height and cut in stages over a week or two.

Mistake #3: Dull Mower Blades

Dull blades don't cut grass — they tear it. You can see the difference: clean-cut grass tips stay green, while torn tips turn brown or white within a day. Torn grass also creates entry points for disease.

The fix: Sharpen your mower blades at least twice per season, or after every 20-25 hours of mowing. Professional lawn care services sharpen blades regularly — it's one of those details that separates a good-looking lawn from a great one.

Mistake #4: Mowing Wet Grass

Wet grass clumps together under the mower, creating uneven cuts and leaving heavy clumps that smother the lawn beneath. Wet conditions also make it easier to spread fungal diseases from one area to another.

The fix: Wait until grass is dry. In mountain climates, morning dew often burns off by 10-11 AM. If it rained, give the lawn a few hours to dry before mowing.

Mistake #5: Always Mowing the Same Direction

Mowing the same pattern every time trains grass to lean in one direction and creates ruts from your mower wheels. Over time, this leads to soil compaction along the wheel tracks.

The fix: Alternate your mowing pattern each week. If you went north-south last time, go east-west this time. Professional services rotate patterns automatically as part of their routine.

Mistake #6: Bagging Clippings Every Time

Unless your lawn is severely overgrown, those clippings are free fertilizer. They break down quickly and return nitrogen and moisture to the soil. Bagging removes this natural nutrition.

The fix: Mulch clippings in place during normal mowing. Only bag if the lawn is overgrown and clippings are too heavy, or if you're dealing with a weed problem and want to prevent seed spread.

Mistake #7: Neglecting the Edges

A freshly mowed lawn without clean edges looks unfinished. Edges along walkways, driveways, and garden beds frame the lawn and make the entire property look sharp.

The fix: Edge and trim every time you mow. It adds minutes to the job but doubles the visual impact. This is another area where professional weekly service really shows — the detail work is what separates a mowed lawn from a maintained lawn.

Skip the Mistakes — Let Professionals Handle It

Taylor Made Lawns provides weekly mowing, edging, trimming, and blow-off service throughout the Roaring Fork Valley. We know the right cutting height for mountain grass, we rotate patterns, and we keep our blades sharp — so your lawn always looks its best.