How to speed up your mowing

Don't we all want to spend less time behind the mower and more time enjoying a beautiful garden?

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just looking to save time on your weekend chores, we’ve got some tips for making lawn care quick and efficient.

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1. Choosing the right mower

When it comes to picking the perfect lawn mower, think about how the size of the cutting width will work with your lawn. If you’ve got a big, open space, a mower with a large cutting width - over 45cm, say - will make quick work of your lawn by covering more ground with each pass, meaning fewer trips back and forth. But if your garden is filled with flower beds, trees or winding paths; a smaller, more agile mower with a cutting width closer to 35cm might be the way to go so you can easily zip around obstacles.

You can also consider a mower with a mulching function. These chop up the grass into fine trimmings and disperse them back onto the lawn as a natural fertiliser, rather than collecting them in a box or bag that needs to be periodically emptied. 

Head to our lawn mower reviews page and use the filters for mulching and lawn size to find models perfect for your specifications.

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2. Picking a pattern

For square or rectangular lawns, the most time-efficient mowing pattern is typically rows or stripes, moving back and forth across the lawn. This pattern minimises the number of turns needed. But for more irregularly shaped lawns, consider cutting in a circular pattern, starting with a lap of the perimeter and spiralling inwards. This reduces the amount of time spent manoeuvring the mower around tricky bends and obstacles. 

You should always aim to overlap each pass slightly to avoid missed patches that could require a second pass.

Whatever pattern you choose - remember to change the direction each time you mow to avoid uneven grass growth. Grass blades tend to grow in the direction they were mowed, and if you're always coming at them from the same angle, they could end up leaning one way rather than standing upright.

3. Regular maintenance and sharp blades

Keeping your mower in tip-top shape is the secret to speedy mowing. Make sure to give your mower a little TLC before the season starts - check the engine, as well as the battery for cordless models and the oil and air filter for petrol models, and make sure everything is clean and ready to go.

Sharpening your blades is especially important. Sharp blades cut cleanly and efficiently, while dull ones might tear the grass, making you go over the same spot multiple times. You can sharpen them yourself using an angle grinder or file or take them to any lawn mower or hardware store. 

Head to our guide on lawn mower maintenance for further advice on keeping your mower in top shape.

4. Checks before you mow

Try and mow when the grass is dry. Wet grass can clump and stick, clogging up your mower and slowing you down. If you wait until the late morning or afternoon, when the morning dew has hopefully evaporated, you should find that the job goes smoother and faster.

Before you mow, you should take a quick walk around the lawn to clear away any sticks or other debris. This prep work prevents stops and starts to clear objects while mowing, and protects your mower from potential damage.

For more tips on mowing, check out our guide on how and when to mow the lawn. 

5. Robot mowers

If you’re really looking to cut down on mowing time, why not let a robot do the work? Robotic mowers are fantastic - albeit expensive - little gadgets that can keep your lawn trimmed without you lifting a finger. 

These automated devices can be programmed to mow at specific times and frequencies, handling the lawn maintenance autonomously. They work within wire boundaries installed around the perimeter of your lawn and can navigate around obstacles and manage slight inclines. Robot mowers are particularly useful for maintaining consistently trimmed grass, as they can operate frequently without your intervention.

Think the investment might be worth it to mow down a chore? Head to our robot mowers buying guide for more advice.