Stripes in a lawn are caused by the light reflecting off of blades of grass. All the grass on the lawn is the same. It is all cut to the same height. Stripes happen because the blades of grass have been bent in different directions.

Direction Is the Key

Whether it is light or dark, the color of the stripe is determined by the direction that the grass is bent. When grass blades are bent away from the viewer, it appears to have a light color because the light reflects off the wider part of the blade.

However, if a blade of grass is bent toward the viewer, the grass has a darker appearance because the viewer is looking at the blade’s tip, which has a small reflective surface. It is also under the shadow of other blades of grass.

You can create a contrasting stripe effect if you cut your lawn in opposing patterns, like north to south or east to west. The perceived color of the stripe depends on the direction from which you are looking at it. If you are standing on the north side of the field, a stripe may appear dark. That same stripe may appear lighter from the south side of the field because you are now looking at it from the opposing direction.

Maximizing Stripe Intensity

The farther you bend the grass, the more intense the stripes will appear. If you want to bend the grass, you may need to use a roller designed to press it to the ground.

The length of the cut can also impact stripe intensity. The shorter the grass, the less intense the stripe will look. The blade will not bend over as far, so it will not reflect as much light. Something as relatively simple as increasing the length of a blade of grass by half an inch can drastically change the intensity of the lawn stripe pattern.

Certain breeds of grass bend more easily, which provides a more dramatic stripe pattern. Grasses found in the southern parts of the United States can be a challenge to stripe because they are thick and hard to bend.

The position of the sun impacts stripes’ intensity. When the sun is directly behind the viewer, the stripe pattern intensity is greater.

Creating Lawn Stripe Patterns

First, mow the perimeter of the property. Then, mow in opposing directions through the center of the property. When you get to the end of each row, do a wide turn to minimize turf damage. A second pass over a role in the same direction will remove pattern irregularities and give the entire lawn a neat look.

There are several lawn striping patterns to choose from. These include zigzag, crisscross, diagonal, and checkerboard stripe patterns. Each pattern has its technique and level of difficulty. However, when mastered, lawn striping can drastically improve the appearance of your lawn.

Conclusion

Take your lawn to the next level. Lawn striping can make maintaining your property easier and detecting any imperfections, weeds, or bare spots. It may even make your lawn the envy of your neighbors.

Making sure that your lawn looks excellent every season is an integral part of yard care, and your mower blades will be responsible for making sure that the grass in your yard looks great. So, it's crucial to ensure that they remain as sharp as possible at all times. Here are a few steps that you will need to follow to sharpen your mower’s blades properly.

1. Safety First

The blades of a lawnmower can be extremely sharp, and the sharpening process can generate sparks. This means that you'll need to take steps to protect yourself. Wear a face shield and goggles to ensure that sparks cannot find their way towards your eyes. Also, make sure that the blades of your mower can be placed in a vice. This will ensure that the edge is not flung during sharpening, which could cause serious injury.

2. Find the Right Blade Sharpener

It's essential to make sure that the blade sharpener you choose will get the job done, and this means you need to read reviews of any manufacturer you're considering. Not only can this help to ensure that your blades remain as sharp as possible, but it can also allow you to get the job done more quickly! 

3. Attach the Blade Sharpener to Your Drill

In most cases, you will be attaching the blade sharpener to a standard drill. Therefore, it's essential first to make sure that the product you are using to improve the sharpness of your mower's blades has been designed with a typical household drill in mind. After that, it will be crucial to make sure that you correctly follow all steps in the instruction manual for the specific sharpening tool that you choose. 

4. Begin Sharpening the Blade

While every blade will be slightly different, there are some tips that you will need to keep in mind. Always use the sharpener to trim both sides of the blade at a 45-degree angle. Then, you'll need to move the sharpener up across the entire length of the edge multiple times to sharpen it. After finishing one side, make sure that you turn the blade over, secure the vice, and repeat the process. This will ensure that both sides remain sharp, which will result in a better-looking lawn this summer! 

5. Do Not Use Too Many or Too Few Strokes

In most cases, it will be possible to sharpen the blade with 50 strokes or less fully. Avoid using too few or too many strokes. This can result in an edge that isn't as sharp as it should be. Luckily, the process of trimming the blades on your lawnmower is relatively easy, and most homeowners will be able to do it in their backyard!