You cut your grass a few days ago, but already, it’s looking a little long. Darn! You trudge to the garden shed, pull out your mower, set the blades low and start chopping. Chopping? Yikes! If you want your lawn to look good, you need to mow it well.

Proper mowing is essential to a healthy lawn, and timing is everything. When do you mow your lawn? Do you get up early in the morning and plow your way through the wet grass, never worrying about slipping, spreading disease or clogging up the mower blades? Do you wait until mid-afternoon when the heat will place you and the grass under a lot of stress? Do you mow in the evening when the sun has almost set and the grass is dry? Hopefully, you choose the latter when conditions for perfect for mowing.

How do you mow? Do you start in the same corner and mow in the same direction each time? While you might appreciate the routine, your grass won’t, as it will soon grow in the pattern you have created. For straighter grass strands, mow in a different direction each time. This will also allow for a more even cut.

How sharp are your mower blades? Mower blades are like knives. The duller they are, the more ragged cut they will make. Sharpen your mower blades often throughout the season for a clean cut.

At what height are your mower blades set? Sharp mower blades won’t mean a thing if you don’t have them set at the proper height. You will find dozens of charts with height recommendations for various grass types. Most experts, however, advise never cutting more than a third of the glass blades at a time. This will allow for deeper root systems, better growth and fewer weeds.

What happens if you miss a week or two? Don’t try to make up for it by moving down your blade and cutting it shorter. The longer, heavier clippings will clog up the mower fast and leave many clumps on the lawn. Instead, cut the grass at the highest height possible and then cut it again at the normal height a few days later.

Stick to the one-third rule and you’ll never have to worry about clippings. You can just leave them on the lawn. They will decompose quickly and fertilize the grass (they will not lead to the buildup of thatch as you may have heard). If you want to dispose of the clippings, you may do so but be careful how you go about this. Most city dumps will not take them. Consider using them to fertilize your garden or flowerbeds instead.

As the growing season comes to an end, lower your mower blades for a shorter cut. This will retard the growth and reduce the chances of snow mold later. When spring arrives, take a day to clean up and make way for new grass. Remove any leaves and other brush that may have fallen onto your lawn during the winter that could smother the grass.

Proper mowing is key to a lush lawn. Know what is involved, follow through and never take safety for granted. Wear the appropriate apparel and safety gear when mowing-long pants, good shoes and eye and ear protection. Clear the lawn of debris beforehand, take pets inside and insist children stay well away. Finally make sure your mower is in good condition and the blades are sharp. Then get ready to give it a go!