How to get stripes on your lawn
15th Mar 2023Have you ever seen a beautiful lawn with perfect stripes and wondered how it was done? It's actually quite simple and doesn't require any special expertise or cost a fortune. You can achieve the same look by using a rear-roller lawnmower, instead of hiring a professional, Read on and let it become your next big plan for your garden!
How are the stripes achieved?
The stripes on your lawn are simply created by light reflecting off the grass that has been bent and cut in a certain direction. The roller attached to your mower pushes the blades of grass forwards pressing them down, as the mower passes over them. Stripes look best on a healthy and vibrant lawn, so be sure to water your lawn regularly, and use our range scarifiers and spreaders for lawn preparation at the start of each year.
How do I get stripes on the lawn?
- Use a rear-roller lawnmower to cut your grass. (If you need to browse for new machines, click here and use our list of filters to select 'Rear Roller' as the mower type)
- Mow in one direction, then mow the opposite way for a different pattern on the grass.
- Adjust the height of the mower blades so that they are cutting the grass blades just above the soil.
- Mow at least once a week, keeping regular times between mowing.
- Water your lawn regularly, especially during hot weather.
A bonus of using a rear-roller mower is using one allows you to mow right up to the edges of your borders without the fear of damaging your lawn, or scalping the lawn-edge.
Which lawnmower is best for getting stripes?
We sell a huge range of rear-roller mowers. Hayter, Honda & EGO particularly make really high quality rear-roller machines, withour favourites below:
- The Hayter Harrier 41 16" mower - push mower ideal for smaller areas
- The Hayter Harrier 48 19" mower - Self-propelled larger machine with variable speed drive, ideal for larger lawns or areas with a slope.
- The Honda HRD536QX 21" mower - Fully professional machine with self-propelled engine, Roto-Stop blades, a folding handle for easy transportation and a strong alloy deck. Ideal for lawncare professional work.
- The EGO LM1903 mower - For a lighter, quieter option, EGO produce a battery-powered mower capable of retro-fitting their rear-roller attachment. Less fumes, less noise, same perfect finish, and a range of tools designed to fit the same battery as the mower.
Additional tips for getting a stripey lawn:
- Make sure your blade is sharp. A blunt blade could rip grass blades, making it difficult to get a clean stripey pattern.
- Only cut when the grass is dry. Wet grass blades will not bend as easily, making it difficult to get a stripey pattern.
- Hot weather can stress the grass, making it difficult to get a stripey pattern. Make sure you cut in cooler times of the day.
- Be patient. It takes time to get a stripey lawn. Just keep mowing regularly and watering your lawn, and you will eventually see the results.