Many people like to mow their own lawns so they can get it done properly while saving some money. However, some people run into a problem when they have a slope or a hill in their yards. If this is your concern, and you don't know how to mow a slope, then you should keep these three tips in mind to help you out.

Push Vs. Riding Mower

Keep in mind that you can either use a push or riding mower. While riding mowers are more efficient and allow you to quickly mow the lawn, you should probably use a push mower in this situation. This is because you can better control and maneuver a push mower than you can on a riding mower.

On top of this, it's a bigger problem for you if you lose control of your riding mower. The push mower can roll backwards, slide forward, or flip depending on the way that you push it. However, you could fall off of the riding mower or have it flip on you when using it on a slope. Due to this, you will be safer if you use a push mower on a hill.

Mow It Sideways

Some people may mow the slope by going up or down. However, these motions can pose some serious dangers. If you go up, then you could lose steam, and the lawn mower could roll back down the hill towards you. If you go down, then it could pick up speed and quickly roll down the hill away from you.

If you mow the hill sideways, then you can maintain the same angle throughout the process. The mower could potentially fall to the side, but this is better than if the lawn mower rolled down the hill and ran into something. Due to this possibility, you should go along the hill horizontally to have a consistent angle.

Mow It Slowly

On top of the other tips, you should make sure that you mow the slope slowly. It's much easier to lose control of your lawn mower if you move quickly, so you should keep your pace slow and careful. This way, if the lawn mower begins to turn or to tilt away from you, you can adjust and stop it from getting off course or falling over.

Do your best to keep it at a consistent speed when you go over the slope. Also, don't be afraid to slow down if you hit a rough patch or if you begin to lose control of the mower. This way, you can be safe as you mow the lawn.

Conclusion

Mowing a lawn with a slope can be difficult, especially if you don't know how to tackle the challenge. Because of this, you should make sure that you pick the right type of mower for the situation while handling it carefully and slowly. If you follow these tips, then you can properly mow the lawn without damaging your mower or injuring yourself.

When a lawn mower's blade is sharp, it produces a clean cut. However, when a mower's blade is dull and worn, it will create a frayed and torn out end on your grass cut. Below are a few risks associated with a thick lawn mower blade. 

Exposure to Lawn Diseases

Dull blades create wounds on the grass that leaves a direct entry point for lawn diseases. There are a vast number of lawn diseases that may affect the grass. However, among all lawn diseases, fungal infections tend to be the most significant danger compared to the rest. The common fungal lawn diseases include Leaf Blight, Dollar Spot and Leaf Spot. 

Severe Lawn Discoloration

Cutting grass using a dull blade leads to loss of moisture on the torn ends of the lawn. The moisture that evaporates directly from the grass blade makes the grass dry up and become dehydrated. Thus, small brown patches can start popping all over your lawn due to the dehydration. 

Reducing the Mowers' Life Span

A sharp blade will cut through the grass it encounters with ease as you push the mower along. On the other hand, a dull blade will make the grass blades wrap themselves on edge, causing the grass blade to be ragged off. 

Thus, you will force the mower to strain while cutting the grass, lowering its life span. After some time, you will find yourself paying more bills for repairing or replacing the mower sooner than you expected. 

You Will Consume More Energy

The extra strain can have an adverse effect on your lawn mower; you will consume more energy than you could have if you used a sharp blade. Thus, if you are using an electric mower, you will consume more electricity, and if you are using a fuel mower, you will consume more fuel. 

How Often to Sharpen Your Lawn Mower

At least by this point, you already know the adverse effects of equipping your mower with dull blades. However, the good news is that it is easy to prevent all this and keep your lawn green and healthy. Below are some practices that you can use to ensure you attain a green and healthy grass. 

Clear Your Lawn Before You Cut It

The most common way that blades become dull is by heating hard debris and stones. Thus, one easy way to ensure that your edges are sharp is to check and remove the trash before you start. 

Sharpen and Inspect Your Blade When Needed

It's challenging to come up with the exact figure of how regularly you should sharpen your blades. Some may require six or seven times to sharpen their blades, while others may need only three times. It all depends on the surface you're mowing and the hours you take to complete your mowing. 

The primary key is to inspect the blades after mowing. After every 10 hours, ensure that you turn the mower and check its condition thoroughly. If there is a presence of a little blunt, you may choose to take it to a professional or sharpen it yourself if you have the right equipment.