yardthyme.com https://yardthyme.com Lawn Care, Yard Maintenance and Gardening Tips Wed, 30 Sep 2026 08:39:21 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.12 9 Best Lawn Aerators for 2026 Reviewed – Improve Drainage and Grow Healthier Grass https://yardthyme.com/lawn-care/aerators/best-lawn-aerators/ Wed, 30 Sep 2026 08:39:21 +0000 https://yardthyme.com/?p=1123 Many homeowners dream of having the perfect lawn – thick, healthy, and green all season long.

If your grass still struggles no matter what you do, poor soil drainage and compaction could be the reason. That’s where lawn aeration comes in.

Aerating your lawn helps water, oxygen, and nutrients reach the roots more easily, which can make a huge difference to the health of your grass.

We’ve already covered how often you should aerate your lawn, but in this guide we’ll look at the best lawn aerators to help you get the job done in 2026.

In a rush? Here’s what I’d do.

For large lawns, I personally prefer a tow-behind option like the Agri-Fab aerator and spreader. With roughly 2 hectares to manage, it’s simply the most practical choice — especially since it handles aeration and spreading in one pass.

For smaller areas, I’d highly recommend the WEN Electric Dethatcher and Scarifier, since it is easy to use and helps with both dethatching and lawn prep in one go.

TOP 9 Best Lawn Aerators in 2026

Ohuhu Lawn Aerator Shoes

Ohuhu Lawn Aerator Shoes

Let’s get started with a pair of these lawn aerator shoes which seem to have flooded the market in recent years. This version from Ohuhu is one of the best versions, thanks to a new design that makes them super-easy to wear and start aerating in no time at all.

The one-size-fits-all sandals have hook and loop Velcro straps that are easy to wrap and secure around your existing footwear, with an anti-slip surface to ensure that the device stays in place while in use.

The two-inch spikes are tough and durable, and at this price point, it’s an option you should really consider for small to moderate-sized lawns. Aside from this, they’re actually a lot of fun to use.

Pros

  • Durable plastic construction.
  • Anti-corrosion.
  • Easy to use right out of the box.
  • Adjustable.

Cons

  • Some might find them tricky to get the hang of.
  • They can take more effort than you realize.

Conclusion

The best lawn aerator shoes available, these aerators are easy-to-use, ideal if you’re on a budget, and can result in an entertaining and yet useful afternoon plodding around your yard. They’re not for everyone though – and if you’ve got weak ankles I would encourage you to look elsewhere.

True Temper 4-Tine Spading Digging Fork

True Temper 4-Tine Spading Digging Fork

Many gardeners opt for simply using a digging fork to aerate their lawns, so I’ve included this highly-rated model from True Temper. It features a forged spading forkhead with four, diamond pointed steel tines for maximum durability and soil penetration.

There’s a 30-inch hardwood shaft, at the top of which you’ll find a poly D-grip that offers the best leverage, comfort and control. Designed for digging, turning, and aerating even the toughest soil, this is a quality garden fork that contains True Temper’s 212 years of garden tool know-how.

Pros

  • Great price.
  • Name to trust.
  • Versatile tool.
  • Premium construction.

Cons

  • Not a dedicated aerator.
  • Can be repetitive, backbreaking work.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a solid, multi-function gardening fork you can use as an aerator for a fraction of the cost of other options – you’ve come to the right place.

It’s perfect for a quick-fix if your lawn isn’t that big, and you should also check out these excellent lawnmowers for smaller yards if you’re maintaining a modest plot.

Agri-Fab 45-0365 16-Inch Push Spike Aerator

Agri-Fab 45-0365 16-Inch Push Spike Aerator

Here we have the first of our push/walk-behind aerators, which is of the spiked variety (walk behind core aerators are few and far between – if they exist at all).

This model is 16-inches wide, with five rotating wheels that each feature seven-inch spikes for up to 2.5-inches of aeration depth. There’s a steel tray that holds a concrete block should you wish to weigh the tool down and achieve maximum depth as you wheel across your lawn.

Ideal for smaller lawns or hard to reach places in larger gardens, this heavy-duty aerator can take up to 35 lbs of additional weight to pressure the galvanized steel spikes deep into the ground.

Pros

  • Durable construction.
  • Easy-to-use.
  • Welded drawbar.

Cons

  • It can be very tough work.
  • Needs a breeze block or other heavyweight.

Conclusion

If you don’t mind getting a good workout, this is a decent walk-behind tool that is easy to operate. It’s probably the best lawn aerator for the money. Top tip – it might be easier to pull rather than push, and adjust the weight until it’s comfortable for you.

Goplus 18-inch Rolling Lawn Aerator

Goplus 18-inch Rolling Lawn Aerator

Following up is another rotary push aerator – also of the spiked variety. This is a roller-style tool with a single handle that is made from durable steel.

The diameter is six inches, while the length of the handle runs to 50 – which has been specially designed to make the task easier and take less time. The shaft is wrapped with a rubberized grip for comfort and control, and it will work in any type of soil conditions with three rows of multiple steel spikes puncturing holes in your lawn.

There’s no need to use any extra weight, and it’s very easy to assemble right out of the box.

Pros

  • Strong and durable.
  • Simple to use.
  • Nothing else required to operate.

Cons

  • Depending on the conditions – it might not be heavy enough.
  • It’s still a real effort to use.

Conclusion

A rotary aerator that will do a good job at poking holes in your lawn – but you might need to add some extra weight if your soil is a little too compact.

Yard Butler Lawn Coring Aerator

Yard Butler Lawn Coring Aerator

This best-selling core aerator tool from Yard Butler is perfect for smaller sized lawns. In fact, it should never really be attempted on anything bigger than that – unless you want to give yourself a heart attack.

Joking aside, I’ve used this device, and it works a treat – but very hard work it is, and you’ll feel like you’ve had a session at the gym afterwards.

Made from stainless steel with cushioned handle grips, it’s simple to use, and drives into the turf much easier than a garden fork, pulling out little plugs of soil in the process.

It’s possible to get a nice rhythm going, but you’ll need to make sure your soil is damp/wet otherwise you might constantly clog up the tines. Hard graft aside, this is highly recommended by yours truly.

Pros

  • Affordable price.
  • Strong, durable construction.
  • Comfortable, and easy to use.
  • Designed to reduce back strain.
  • Foot bar for leverage.
  • Very highly rated.

Cons

  • Clogging and clearing tines can be a stop-start process.
  • Not suitable for large lawns.

Conclusion

For small gardens or quick spot-treatments of larger areas, this manual core aerator is excellent and certainly gets the job done.

Probably the best manual aerator on the market – but you’re in for a workout, and make sure you wear a pair of suitable landscaping gloves while you’re at it.

LawnStar Liquid Soil Aerator

LawnStar Liquid Soil Aerator

Now for something completely different. To give you an alternative option, I’ve included this liquid lawn aerator which sure beats hard labor. Applied by using a tank or hose sprayer, this compound loosens the soil and increases water uptake and drainage, as well as conditioning the soil as it seeps in.

Ideal for people with larger gardens, it can treat up to 120,000 square feet of land – which will certainly save you from a lot of backbreaking work. And as it’s environmentally friendly, you’ve no need to worry about children, plants or pets with the non-toxic formula. Easily the best alternative lawn aeration method on the market today.

Pros

  • Ultra-concentrated.
  • Effortless to use.
  • Large coverage.
  • Highly rated.
  • Liquid fertilizer is also available in the range.

Cons

  • Additional spray applicator required.
  • Not useful for immediate seeding or overseeding.

Conclusion

If you balk at manual labor – this product ticks all the boxes while still breaking up and conditioning the soil to prepare it for fertilizing. But bear in mind that any seeding should be done a month after application – so that process will take longer than a core or spike aerator.

Step ‘N Tilt Core Lawn Aerator

Step 'N Tilt Core Lawn Aerator

This is possibly the best walk-behind core aerator on the market (perhaps because it’s one of the few – given the nature of the task). It works using a move and step system, with four, clog-resistant tines with sharpened edges lifting soil plugs out of the earth. They have been case-hardened for extra durability, and are designed to be used by an operator between 4”-6.5” tall, and weighing no more than 150 lbs. The unit can also double as a garden trolley for shifting heavy loads, and it’s ideal for use in smaller yards or in areas that are hard to reach by a motorized machine.

Pros

  • Durable construction.
  • Easy to use.
  • Soil core container included.
  • Replaceable tines.

Cons

  • Slow process.
  • Not suitable for everyone.

Conclusion

An excellent plug aerator that is preferable to using a digging fork and is straightforward to use while producing excellent results. As it provides core aeration, it’s probably the best manual aerator out there. It’s still a bit of an effort, though.

VonHaus Electric Lawn Dethatcher Scarifier and Aerator

VonHaus Electric Lawn Dethatcher Scarifier and Aerator

Now we come to our one and only electric aerator, which is actually a two-in-one machine that also dethatches – so you’re getting more bang for your buck here. The aerator is of the spiked variety, and you simply switch out the drums depending on what you need to use the unit for.

Powered with a 12.5 Amp motor, it offers a 15-inch working width that is suitable for small to mid-sized lawns. There are five adjustable heights, with a 45-liter collection box to collect any surface material when you dethatch.

As dethatching is often part of the aeration and overseeding process, this is the best electric lawn aerator available. The folding design is easy to store and transport, too.

Pros

  • Two-in-one design.
  • Safety start.
  • Easy to use and assemble.
  • Minimal effort required.

Cons

  • It’s not a dedicated aerator.
  • Tines are on the shallow side.

Conclusion

Having electric or gas-powered tools to help us with our work is a real advantage, so there are obvious plus points here. It’s just a shame it’s not a core aerator, but it should still get the job done with a dethatcher thrown in for good measure.

Brinly PA-40BH Tow Behind Plug Aerator

Brinly PA-40BH Tow Behind Plug Aerator

For larger yards, we turn to tow-behind aerators, and this model is a 40-inch machine that features 24 heat-treated, 12-gauge steel tines that penetrate compact soil and can remove up to three inches of earth.

Each plugging spoon has been designed to be narrower than usual tines, with sharp tips to allow successful operation while carrying less weight. However, should you feel the need to add some extra muscle to sink the tines in, there is a weight tray included that will hold an extra 150 lbs.

A single pin hitch system ensures that it will attach to most garden tractors and ATVs with ease, and the simple assembly means you’ll be ready to go as soon as the conditions allow.

Pros

  • Highly rated.
  • Solid construction.
  • Never-flat tires.
  • Universal hitch.

Cons

  • You need something to tow it with.
  • Expensive.

Conclusion

Providing you have a garden tractor or an ATV, then this is an excellent core aerator option and you’ll get the job done in double-quick time with minimal effort. And if you’ve got a garden large enough to use one of these, then perhaps you should check out these awesome riding lawnmowers, too.

Buyer’s Guide to Choosing the Best Lawn Aerator

Below you’ll find an in-depth guide on what to look out for or consider before purchasing an aerator. An FAQ section will follow.

Soil Aeration

Size of Lawn

Lawn aerators come in all shapes and sizes and are used in a variety of ways and techniques (outlined below).

Which one you choose will largely depend on the size of the land you wish to aerate.

If you have a smaller yard, you might not need much more than a manual aerator.

But if you’re lucky enough to have a yard large enough for one of these awesome zero-turn lawnmowers, then you should probably choose a tow aerator.

And bear in mind you won’t see any industrial/commercial/professional aerators here – they’re far too expensive and overkill for most residential use.

Spike or Plug Aerators?

Aerators operate by using either a spike or a plug system.

A spike aerator offers exactly that – a number of spikes that are used to poke holes in the lawn or top surface.

They’re ideal as a quick, temporary solution to poor irrigation and useful for seeding purposes, and they can be used on most lawn types and in any conditions.

Plug aerators (sometimes called core aerators) work by actually removing a small plug of soil from your lawn, and then depositing it on the surface.

This can have numerous advantages. It’s ideal for clay-heavy soil that’s tightly compacted, where a spike aerator will be all but useless.

The soil plugs should be left to decompose and fertilize the lawn, and it’s a very effective method for seeding/overseeding.

However, you’ll find that plug aerators are more time-consuming, and they need a specific set of conditions to be most effective and not ruin your lawn.

Also, some people don’t like the aesthetic of nuggets of soil left on their lawn surface – they look a lot like animal droppings.

Type/Application

Aerators come in a variety of types depending on their application.

There are products that you strap to your feet to aerate your lawn as you walk over it – using your own body weight to sink the tines or spikes deep into the terrain.

Manual, hand-operated aerators are available that you use by walking over your land and physically digging them into the soil.

Electric models are also on the market – with the machines usually combining an aerator with a dethatcher or another useful gardening tool.

Liquid aerators have been developed, and they offer an excellent alternative to mechanical devices or other tools. Applied with garden sprayers, they break down the soil and improve drainage, while having a huge advantage when it comes to using the least effort.

Tow-behind aerators are best for folks with larger areas to cover (and if you have something to tow it with in the first place).

Finally, industrial aerators are available – and while they’re probably the best lawn aerator machines, they’re outrageously expensive, they weigh a ton, and are superfluous for most people who just wish to improve the irrigation of their yard a couple of times a year.

Cost

And speaking of expense, the price of aerators can vary significantly depending on the type.

Once you’ve figured out which one you need, you should be in a better place to understand what sort of ballpark figure you might be paying for the tool.

However, I will say this – remember that we’re talking about a job that doesn’t need to be done very often (depending on your soil type, region, and garden aspirations).

That alone is worth bearing in mind before you part with big money.

FAQs

lawn aeration shoes

Which is better – a plug or spike aerator?

The consensus is that plug/core aerators are better.

This is particularly true if you have clay-heavy soil that can become seriously compacted. A spike tool or machine isn’t going to be nearly as successful.

If you think about what you’re trying to achieve, a spike aerator does create holes in your lawn, but it also compacts soil around the initial entry point – which can defeat the whole purpose.

On the other hand, plug aerators actually remove soil and create holes, which will allow the earth to breathe and expand – filling those holes back up over time – and by the very action not continuing to pack the earth down.

Having said that, spike aerators have their place – especially if your soil is already somewhat loose, or you need a temporary solution.

They’re also great for preparing your lawn for overseeding.

Plug aerators require specific conditions to be successful, and they can be stressful to your lawn. A real mess can be made if it’s done at the wrong time.

Should I pick up plugs after aerating?

You can if you want to – many people believe that the biggest disadvantage of core aeration is the unsightly plugs that it leaves behind.

However, it’s only going to create more work for you to remove them – and you’ll just be taking away good soil.

Leave them where they are, and they will naturally breakdown and help to fertilize your lawn.

What should I put on my lawn after aerating?

First, as mentioned above, leave the plugs alone if you’ve used a core aerator.

Next, you need to overseed your lawn. Make sure you choose the correct seeds for the type of grass you currently have, or you can feel free to mix it up or change the species over time.

If you’re starting fresh, you should choose a grass that will thrive in your location.

If the clouds are not due to open, water your lawn thoroughly. You need to do this every day until the seeds germinate. The seeds need to be kept wet, without over-saturation.

For that, it might be a good idea you treat yourself to a new hose reel cart.

It is recommended you don’t mow the lawn until you’ve allowed plenty of time for new growth.

After a few days, apply a starter fertilizer that will provide essential nutrients right where the lawn needs it. Your new seeds should have had the chance to become established.

For more information and some great advice for the whole process of overseeding and rescuing your lawn, check out the video below.

Is there a bad time to aerate your lawn?

Yes. Never aerate your lawn when it’s been raining heavily, or it’s generally too wet – you’ll just turn it into the grounds of a music festival after a thunderstorm.

Also, the summer isn’t a good time as the turf is likely to already be stressed with hot weather.

Can I mow my lawn after aeration?

It is recommended that you wait at least a week before mowing your lawn after aeration and overseeding.

Remember that you want to protect the new seeds as much as possible, so if you go hacking at the lawn right away you’ll do the opposite.

Give the new growth time before you mow – and make sure that when you do, your blades are sharp and you spend as little time as possible on the lawn.

Here’s a great resource for lawnmower blade sharpeners – if your edge has been dulled.

How long should you wait to mow your lawn after aeration?

As long as possible – but sometimes this isn’t an option depending on the type of grass.

As mentioned above, you should wait for about a week at the very least. But with most grass species taking between 10 and 14 days to germinate, you really shouldn’t be touching it for a while.

However, don’t wait until the grass is so high that it’s crowding out your new growth and preventing sunlight from reaching it.

Play it by ear (or sight), but when in doubt you can ask a lawn care professional for their opinion.

Can I use a tiller to aerate my lawn?

No. A tiller is designed to turn the soil while an aerator punches holes in it.

If you use a tiller on your lawn you will either break your tiller, destroy your lawn, or possibly both.

However, it is possible to buy aeration attachments for certain tillers – so check with the manufacturer to see if this is an option.

What is the best month to aerate my lawn?

If you have cool season grasses, the best time to aerate your lawn is in the fall. For warm season grasses, you should be looking at late spring.

Should I seed right after aerating?

It is recommended that you seed within a day or two of aerating. If you’ve taken the trouble to aerate your lawn in the first place, you don’t want to waste this opportunity.

This is why liquid aerators are not ideal for the seeding process.

Of course, you don’t need to seed at all if you simply want to improve the drainage and overall health of your lawn.

Should I aerate or dethatch first?

You need to dethatch before you aerate or you risk pushing unwanted surface material deeper into your lawn.

For an at-a-glance guide, the process is as follows –

  1. Mowing.
  2. Dethatching.
  3. Watering (until moist but not soaking, and only if it’s already too dry).
  4. Aerating.
  5. Overseed/seeding.
  6. Watering.
  7. Fertilizing.

Remember though – it’s not as simple as that – and you will need to pay attention at each stage so you know when, where, and how to achieve the most beautiful lawn in the neighborhood.

Should I rent an aerator?

Many people decide that renting an aerator is the way to go – but why bother doing that when you could have your own?

Granted, it’s not going to be a $4,000 industrial-class model, but it will still do the same job, albeit take a little longer.

And if you’ve got a large enough yard, a tow-behind aerator is every bit as good.

Don’t forget if you’re going this once a year, the cost of renting will soon add up – and hiring a professional to simply poke holes in your lawn is going to be even more expensive.

I say if you’re perfectly capable of doing it – you should do it yourself.

The exercise will do you good.

Summary

Lawn aeration is key to a healthy and happy lawn, ensuring that it has proper irrigation, while allowing oxygen and nutrients to do their work.

I hope this article has gone some way to helping you find the best lawn aerator for you and your needs.

As I have a moderate-sized yard, I’d be leaning towards trying a liquid aerator – but if I was to try overseeding, I’d probably choose the step-on core aerator and give myself a work-out in the process.

Let me know which aerator you would choose and why.

I wish you the best of luck in turning your lawn into the green of any 18th.

Before you leave. If you are really serious about getting your yard in the best possible killers, don’t forget to get rid of old stumps as well. A quality stump killer will come in handy when taking your yard to the next level.

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Lawn Food vs Fertilizer – What’s the Difference? https://yardthyme.com/lawn-care/lawn-fertilizing/lawn-food-vs-fertilizer/ Wed, 30 Sep 2026 04:07:27 +0000 https://yardthyme.com/?p=3610 Do you ever get confused by all the different lawn care products that are out there?

Weed and feed, lawn starters, lawn food, turf builders, lawn boosters, organic feeds, super-duper-grow-tastic-all-lawn-can-eat-buffets…

And that’s just the fertilizers!

Which pretty much answers the question in the title of this article.

Lawn food vs fertilizer – what’s the difference?

There isn’t any.

But rather than make this the shortest article ever, I’m still going to include some useful information on  the relationship lawns have with fertilizers – and why you should be adding them to your yard.

Lawn Food vs Fertilizer – The Short Version

Is lawn food the same as fertilizer?

Yes.

That is, if we’re talking about products that are designed to stimulate the growth of your lawn, keep weeds at bay, and help prevent pests and disease.

man peparing lawn fertilizer

Plants (including the grass in your lawn) actually make their own food – so it’s a bit of a misnomer anyway. Keep reading for more on this process.

So, why all the confusion? Let’s find out.

Lawn Food or Fertilizer?

Simply put, there is no difference between commercially available plant food and fertilizer – it’s just a clever marketing strategy by some companies, and it’s not actually “food” at all.

Here’s a description of both, in a nutshell:

Fertilizers are products that are designed to boost the nutrient levels in the soil, so grasses, vegetables, and other plants can draw what they need to grow into healthy, bountiful organisms.

Plant/Lawn food is just the name that some garden-care companies give to their fertilizer products.

However, actual plant food is something completely different – and you’ll find more on this topic coming up.

Simple, right?

Now that’s all cleared up, I can start telling you some really useful stuff.

Here’s a great article on all the different types of lawn fertilizer available, so you can figure out the exact product that your lawn needs – depending on what you’re trying to achieve.

And the advice at this link will tell you when you need to fertilize your garden in general – and how often.

lawn fertilizer in bag

Plant Food vs Lawn Food vs Flower Food

Just so there’s no confusion – the same description can be applied to commercially available “plant food.”

Like lawn food, it’s a fertilizer product that contains ingredients to help boost a plant’s growth, which might be tailored to a specific plant – depending on the product.

You’d use dedicated lawn food on your lawn, and dedicated plant food on your plants.

Here we can mention stereotypical lawn food from Scotts, for example, and plant food from Miracle-Gro.

Both of which, of course, are actually just fertilizers!

But those sachets of flower food you get when you buy a bunch of blooms are a little different.

They’re designed to help keep cut flowers fresh for longer, and generally contain three surprising ingredients – citric acid, sugar, and bleach.

Yes, you read that correctly!

In fact, it’s actually very easy to make your own cut flower food, with one teaspoon of sugar, one teaspoon of bleach, two teaspoons of lemon juice, and a quart of lukewarm water.

Do that the next time you buy flowers for your partner (or for yourself), and the flower food sachet is missing.

And speaking of doing things yourself, why not check out this article on DIY lawn fertilizers – which will tell you all you need to know to produce your own, money-saving batch of “lawn food!”

Real Lawn Food

Now we’ve dispelled the myths of lawn foods (as in – it’s not actually food at all), let’s take a look at where plants and grass actually get their real food from.

And then, if you keep reading, how fertilizers fit into this process.

How much did you pay attention in biology class?

This doesn’t need to be overly complex – and so here’s a quick refresher:

The key word (that most of us will remember) is photosynthesis.

This is the process where plants make their own food by “synthesizing” what they need from carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight. The byproduct of this, of course, is oxygen.

In order to complete this fascinating process, plants need chlorophyll – the pigment that gives all plants their green color.

And in order to produce a healthy amount of chlorophyll (among other things), our green friends need at least 17 mineral nutrients drawn from the world around them.

That’s plant nutrition in its most basic, basic form.

new lawn growing

Super basic.

These nutrients can be divided into macro and micro varieties, which I’ve organized into a helpful table, below:

Macronutrients Micronutrients
Nitrogen (N) Iron (Fe)
Phosphorous (P) Boron (B)
Potassium (K) Chlorine (Cl)
Calcium (Ca) Copper (Cu)
Sulfur (S) Manganese (Mn)
Magnesium (Mg) Nickel (N)
Carbon (C) Molybdenum (Mo)
Oxygen (O) Zinc (Zn)
Hydrogen (H)

Consider each nutrient a building block for an organism to be a healthy, well-adjusted, grounded, contributing member of plant society.

Remove one, and over time you will notice the effects, depending on the nutrient, the plant, the conditions, and how much it has been deprived.

And while each nutrient has its own part to play, the most important of these, are the three macronutrients at the top of the left-hand column.

Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium – the “big three.”

The eagle-eyed among you will notice that their chemical symbols – N, P, and K, correspond to those numbers on the front/back of bags of fertilizer.

This tells you the percentage of each nutrient contained within that particular product. And we basically use such fertilizers to ensure optimum conditions so that a plant can create genuine “plant food.”

This leads us nicely onto our next chapter, but if you’d like to take a more detailed dive into how plants make their food, you can check out the highly educational video below:

How Fertilizers Work

There are many benefits to fertilizing your lawn and garden, including promoting vibrant colors, strong root systems, bountiful yields, and keeping weeds, pests, and disease under control.

But how do they actually work?

It helps to think of them as a sort of multivitamin for plants.

Sometimes, we humans can’t get all the nutrients we need from our diet – and we need a little help to reach the recommended daily amounts.

I take an effervescent vitamin supplement every morning, for example, to boost my immune system. Adding fertilizer/lawn food to the desirable plants in my garden is a similar practice.

The “Big Three”

Synthetic fertilizers contain a combination of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). The latter is often abbreviated to “potash.”

Nitrogen is used to promote healthy green leaves – boosting the production of chlorophyll, and is essential for growth.

Phosphorus promotes a strong and healthy root system, as well as helping to produce blooms, fruits, vegetables, and seeds.

Potassium is required for stress tolerance, and to help keep disease and pests at bay. Think of it as a general supplement for overall plant health.

Top-tip – you can easily remember the benefits of the “big three” using this simple trick. Nitrogen helps plants grow up, phosphorus helps them grow down, and potassium helps them all around.

Organic fertilizers are more useful for providing the micronutrients that plants need – something that synthetic fertilizers aren’t particularly useful for.

hand on green grass

And while small amounts of macro and micronutrients are all found naturally in the soil and air around grass and plants, think of fertilizers as a helping leg up.

But how do you what the soil needs in the first place? What’s the best ratio of NPK numbers to use?

That’s quite straightforward, as you can conduct a simple soil test, which will tell you exactly where your soil has a deficit, and could do with some help.

I highly recommend doing this before you start throwing anything down, as what works for my soil might not work for yours – particularly when living in different parts of the country/world.

Don’t just head to the local big-box store and pick up the first “lawn food” you find. Make sure you’re getting the ratios right, and your lawn will benefit as a result.

Fertilizer/Lawn Food Fillers

You might be wondering what else is in these fertilizers, considering the percentage amounts of the NPK numbers don’t add up to 100.

The rest of the product contains “fillers,” which are inactive ingredients that are used to dilute the nutrients.

They’re not there to make up the numbers – fillers help prevent nutrients from “burning” the plant life, as you can have too much of a good thing.

They also help the soils and plants absorb the nutrients, and prevent the fertilizer from drying out. Typical fillers include sawdust, clean dirt, peat moss, and ground corn cobs.

For more information, you can check out the video below, which explains how fertilizers help plants grow.

And before we finish up with some frequently asked questions, here’s an article you don’t want to miss: Our complete, month-by-month lawn care calendar.

It has everything you need to know and do throughout the year for the best chance of a beautiful lawn – so don’t miss it!

weed killer being used on grass

FAQs

Should I use liquid or granular fertilizer?

Easily one of the most common questions we get asked here at YardThyme – which is better – granular or liquid fertilizer?

It really depends on a number of factors, but a rule-of-thumb I like to remember is to use liquid for fast results, and granular for a slow-release formula.

Of course, it’s not always that black and white, and you can follow the link above for a full, in-depth article on the subject.

Does Fertilizer kill weeds?

It depends on the type of fertilizer – but to keep things simple, most fertilizers are designed to feed all plants – which includes undesirables like the six most common weeds you find in your lawn.

If you’re using a weed and feed product, however, it might be able to control weed growth with the inclusion of a pre-emergent herbicide mixed in with the fertilizer.

This article on fertilizers and weeds will tell you everything you need to know.

Should I use lawn food?

Yes. Next question.

Joking aside, you don’t need to use lawn food. Our lawns will be fine without – they just won’t ever reach their full potential without a bit of help.

But next time you’re driving around your neighborhood in the summer, make a note when you see a lush, thick, carpet of grass with a vibrant, deep green hue.

That’s the work of a fertilizer – among other lawn care practices.

If you’re serious about lawn care, then you need to be using a good quality fertilizer at least twice a year. And make sure you’ve got all these essential lawn care tools in your shed while you’re at it.

However, all that said, if you’re set against using any such formulas on your lawn, you can go the organic route.

Start a kitchen compost bin, with a compost tumbler outside – and you can create a super-charged topdressing that will benefit anything green in your garden.

Does fertilizer kill worms?

Earthworms are the gardener’s friend, and using lawn foods/fertilizer should be a concern for every gardener when it comes to protecting helpful species.

But fear not, for they should be fine with an application of most fertilizers – but you can check this article on worms and fertilizers for more info.

Does fertilizer go bad?

It’s a great question – as many gardeners have products sitting on the shelves in their sheds for several seasons.

And you can go here to find out if those fertilizers have a shelf life, including how long they last, when you should be using them, and if you can salvage that product that’s been stashed for X years.

Summary

I hope this article has cleared up any confusion about lawn food vs fertilizer, as they are actually one and the same thing!

It’s easy when you know, right?!

Let us know your thoughts in the comments, and/or if you have any fertilizing tips, tricks, and advice you’d like to share with your fellow green thumbs.

Stay safe out there, and happy gardening!

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Lumpy Lawns – Common Causes and How to Fix Them https://yardthyme.com/lawn-care/lumpy-lawns/ Wed, 30 Sep 2026 01:00:46 +0000 https://yardthyme.com/?p=3915 Why is my lawn so bumpy?

You might be surprised to hear that this is actually a pretty common question, especially in the spring after a cold winter.

Luckily there’s no need to worry; it’s often a natural process and also easy to fix.

I’m going to share the easiest ways to fix a bumpy lawn and how to help prevent it from happening again.

Quick Read

  • Lumps and bumps are natural and will appear on every lawn eventually.
  • They aren’t necessarily a problem unless they make mowing difficult or are a hazard for people walking.
  • How you remedy the bumps depends on the cause.
  • The best way to level a bumpy lawn is to top-dress with fresh soil and grass seed.
  • Avoid using a roller if possible to prevent compaction.

bumpy green zoysia grass lawn

What Causes Bumps to Form on a Lawn?

Before deciding how to tackle your uneven lawn, you first need to establish the cause, or at least rule out a few. Some reasons for bumps can be easily remedied while others are a little trickier.

So, it pays to save some time and effort further down and line by asking yourself first:

What is causing bumps in my lawn?

Bumps in your lawn can appear for many different reasons.

Most of the time, a lawn becomes uneven over time if it has been exposed to too much traffic trauma in wet conditions when the soil is soft.

Bicycles, lawn furniture, football, pets and even the actual act of mowing, can all result in lumps and bumps if the lawn is subjected too often when it is vulnerable.

Other things that can result in a bumpy lawn include:

  • Tree roots growing under the lawn.
  • Freezing and thawing patterns, particularly in soil with clay.
  • Historical land use.
  • Different grass and weed species clumping together.
  • Dead or thin patches of grass that get eroded.
  • Digging creatures like moles or voles.

Do Bumps in Your Lawn Matter?

If you’re reading this article, then chances are you care about the lumps in your lawn. And if you care, then they matter.

But what if you don’t care? Should you still fix them?

The main things to think about are whether the bumps are a trip hazard, and whether any lower areas develop pooling water in wet weather.

If you have vulnerable people living on the property then making sure the lawn is even is important to prevent accidents. It’s also worth avoiding water pooling during wet weather as this can compromise grass health.

However, in saying all that, there’s nothing overtly wrong with having a lumpy lawn. After all, lumps and bumps are a part of nature. Provided you don’t cut your lawn short enough to scalp the higher areas, then it’s not the end of the world to leave some humps in your lawn.

person using zero-turn lawnmower

How to Fix a Bumpy Lawn

If you’ve made it this far, chances are you’re still wondering how to fix a lumpy lawn. So, let’s get into it.

Top-Dress

The best way to fix a bumpy lawn that has occurred over time as a result of freezing and thawing is to top-dress it with fresh soil or compost.

What this means is spreading a layer of soil or compost over the whole of your yard and raking it out so that it fills in the holes and depressions. In these areas, where the soil ends up being a bit deeper, you can then reseed with fresh grass seed.

Just be sure to use the right kind of grass seed for your region and climate. I have an article dedicated to the different types of grass seed available and the conditions they’re best suited to if you’re not sure.

Replace Patches of Turf

Similar to top dressing and reseeding, another option is to remove the turf in places where there are obvious depressions, and fill in the depression with fresh soil.

Once the fresh soil is in place and leveled to match the surrounding lawn height, replace the turf with either the same piece of sod if it is healthy, or a new piece.

Re-Level

If your lawn is a complete disaster and the options above won’t cut it, then you always have the option of starting again. This would entail digging up the turf, leveling the ground, and either relaying new ready-to-go turf, or adding fresh soil and grass seed.

I have another guide to leveling your yard that might be helpful if you’re going to take this route.

Spot Fix

Lastly, if your lawn is suffering from bumps as a result of localized issues like tree roots, clumping grass species, or digging animals, then you only need to target that specific spot and the cause.

Tree roots shouldn’t be damaged so unless you can top dress the surrounding area to raise the level of the lawn, you may just have to make peace with them.

Clumping species of grass should be dug up and replaced with fresh sod with the grass species of your choice. It will take a bit of time for the lawn to look uniform again but it will get there eventually. Just be sure to water the new turf well while it gets established.

Lastly, if the mounds in your yard are caused by moles or voles then simply pushing them down with your foot when the soil is soft will suffice. If your lawn is healthy then the surrounding grass should spread over the bare patch quickly.

gardener pulling a lawn roller

Should I Roll My Bumpy Lawn?

You might be wondering why I haven’t recommended simply rolling your lawn with a heavy lawn roller.

The truth is, there may be instances where it is appropriate to use a lawn roller. For example, if you know that the bumps in your lawn have been caused by an animal, like a mole or your pet having a dig, and your lawn doesn’t get easily compacted, then a quick roll might be appropriate.

However, often, a lawn roller might do more harm than good and leave you with a compacted lawn.

If you have decided that rolling is what your lawn needs, I have a guide to the best lawn rollers to help you out. Just be sure to aerate afterwards!

If you’re new to lawn care and not yet set up with the appropriate tools, have a read of my guide to lawn care tools here.

How to Prevent Your Lawn from Developing More Bumps in the Future

Since soil is full of living things, and living things naturally move and change form over time, maintaining a perfectly flat lawn is an unrealistic expectation.

However, there are things that you can do to reduce the chances of your lawn developing another serious bump problem.

These are:

man working with a yellow zeru turn lawn mower

Check for Insects and Diseases

Some pests and diseases can result in a lumpy lawn if they cause the grass to die in patches. These dead patches can then turn into depressions as the thatch and underlying soil is eroded away by wind and rain.

Keeping your lawn dense, healthy and disease-free will help to prevent bumps from forming.

Check for Clumping Grass and Weed Species

Some grass species, like clumping tall fescue, grow in clumps in a way that makes your lawn appear bumpy. The soil underneath is most likely flat, but as the clumps form and develop a thicker layer of thatch than the surrounding species, they can appear to be sitting higher on the lawn.

Some species of grass grow a darker green, or grow quicker than the surrounding grass, also creating the illusion of bumps.

The best way to manage this is to keep your lawn thick and lush with no space for opportunist invaders to set up shop. Overseeding at the start of the growing season is a good way to do this.

You can also manually dig up any clumps that have already established themselves and reseed those patches.

Check for Burrowing Animals like Moles

Moles and voles are notorious for creating lumpy lawns. Your options are to either manually flatten the hills as they appear, or find a humane way to discourage the animals from your property.

Aerate as Required

Aerating your lawn can help to prevent the appearance of bumps and depressions by promoting overall lawn health and helping to support drainage.

Aerating is just one lawn care task that should happen on a yearly basis for most lawns. Other lawn care tasks that can help to prevent a bumpy lawn, simply by keeping your lawn healthy and thick, are laid out in this calendar.

Use Correct Mowing Practices

Did you know that mowing your lawn in the same direction and pattern every time can create an uneven lawn? Repeatedly running the mower over the same patch of lawn will result in troughs and depressions where the wheels go.

Mix it up a bit and your lawn will thank you.

Check this article for more lawn mowing tips.

Avoid Using the Lawn when the Ground is Wet

Last but not least, one of the most important ways to look after your lawn is to avoid subjecting it to trauma while it is wet and vulnerable.

When the soil is wet, it is much more easily compacted and torn up. Wait until it’s dry before letting the pets and kids loose!

Summary

It appears that there are actually multiple causes for bumpy lawns, and just as many solutions.

Some of the causes are hard to avoid, like the natural settling of the ground during freezing and thawing cycles. Others, like using the lawn when it’s wet, are easier.

The solution you choose will depend on the cause of the bumps, but, most of the time, top dressing with fresh soil and seed is the best option for a healthy lawn.

I hope you’ve found this article helpful and are no longer wondering, why is my lawn so bumpy?

Let me know if you have any thoughts on what I’ve written here, I’d love to hear them!

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The 15 Best Commercial Weed Eaters (Trimmers) in 2026 https://yardthyme.com/lawn-care/trimmers-and-edgers/best-commercial-weed-eaters-trimmers/ Tue, 29 Sep 2026 20:41:47 +0000 https://yardthyme.com/?p=452 Weeds are the bane of all professional landscapers. They’re also a thorn in the side of most garden-proud homeowners, too.

And while the only real way to deal with them is to pull them up, root and stem – sometimes we just don’t have time for that.

So, we need to take care of them. If you know what I mean.

Y’know – whack ‘em.

No, I’m not talking about a mafia hit – I’m talking about using the best commercial weed eaters (or weed whackers) to cut back on the unruly foliage in the garden.

Whether you’re tidying up the edge of the lawn or taking down some serious jungle, the best choice is one of these powerful machines that the pros often use.

Read on to choose the one that’s right for you, and a buyer’s guide and FAQ section will follow if you’re a rookie weed murderer.

Let’s go to work.

Note: As these machines are known by many different names depending on where you come from, they shall be referred to their many guises throughout this article. String trimmer, weed whacker, strimmer, trimmer, line trimmer, whipper snipper, and weed eater – are all the same thing.

The 15 Best Commercial Weed Eater for 2026

Remington RM2560 Rustler String Trimmer

Remington RM2560 Rustler String Trimmer

Starting us off we have this Remington 22cc gas-powered trimmer, which has a straight shaft and two-stroke engine. The design makes it easier to access hard to reach places, while the quick-change head allows you to convert from blade to bump head in seconds.

It offers you a 16-inch cutting width, quickstart technology that enables a faster, smoother start, and an adjustable handle providing multiple positions to reduce user fatigue.

It’s the perfect entry-level weed eater that’s well suited to handling small to medium-sized yards.

Reward: The best budget weed eater on the market.

Pros

  • Excellent price point.
  • Easy to use.
  • Good for a beginner.
  • Ultra-lightweight design.

Cons

  • The startup could be more efficient.
  • Not suitable for heavy-duty jobs.

Conclusion

If you’ve never had a weed whacker, this could be the perfect present to yourself. A great little tool that will get the job done providing your yard isn’t too large or overgrown.

Poulan Pro PR25CD String Trimmer

Poulan Pro PR25CD String Trimmer

US company Poulan has been in the power tool game since 1946, and their Pro range products are definitely worth a look. This curved shaft string trimmer has a 23cc, two-stroke engine, with a 16-inch cutting swath at the dual-line, bump head.

The fuel tank is translucent so you always know where you are with range, while the sure-fire fuel delivery system of prime, choke, and pull ensures the machine starts with ease every time.

An attachment handle means you can adapt the tool up to five different ways for a variety of jobs, including a brush cutter, cultivator and pole pruner – among others.

Reward: The most versatile commercial weed eater.

Pros

  • Excellent price point.
  • Multi-functional.
  • Name to trust.
  • Adjustable handle.
  • Spring-assisted starter.

Cons

  • Not the most powerful engine – okay for smaller jobs.

Conclusion

For the price, this is an excellent addition to your tool shed if you have a small to medium-sized yard. The multi-function ability is a nice touch, but do note that the attachments are all sold separately.

Wild Badger Power WBP26BCI Brush Cutter

Wild Badger Power WBP26BCI Brush Cutter

Another budget-friendly weed eater now with this offering from Wild Badger Power. It’s a straight shaft machine powered by a commercial-grade 26cc full crank two-stroke engine.

The easy, twist-n-load string trimmer makes replacing the line foolproof, while the ergonomic trigger set with auto on kill switch and soft-grip handle ensures safe and comfortable operation at all times.

The real bonus here is the fact it comes with a brushcutter head for the tougher undergrowth and groundcover, and a harness – so you can carry the machine with extra support until the big jobs are done.

Reward: The best weed eater and brushcutter combo for the price.

Pros

  • Great value for money.
  • Aircraft-grade attachment system.
  • Fast start with reduced emissions.
  • Reduced vibration casing.
  • Bump head.
  • Generous cutting width.

Cons

  • For this price – I can’t fault it.

Conclusion

Do let me know if you find anything wrong with this machine from Wild Badger Power.

They might not be a household name like some of the brands on this list, but this is a top-drawer, two-in-one machine at an excellent price that deserves to be given a chance.

Blue Max 52623 Dual Line Trimmer

Blue Max 52623 Dual Line Trimmer

This Blue Max straight shaft weed eater is another machine that offers the two-in-one design, and you can switch the spool out for a heavy-duty brushcutter blade if required.

It features a powerful 42.7cc, two-stroke engine with a recoil starting system. There’s a dual-spool head for extra cutting efficiency, an anti-vibration handlebar configuration for additional comfort and control, and a 10-inch, heavy-duty brushcutter blade included.

A simple shoulder strap is part of the package for good measure.

Reward: One of the most powerful weed eaters at this price point.

Pros

  • Powerful engine.
  • Great price for what you get.
  • Easy-start system.
  • Locking trigger handle.

Cons

  • A little heavier than other weed eaters.

Conclusion

A quality weed eater from Blue Max which gives you the very useful two-in-one option. It’s one of the most powerful engines in a string trimmer available – which is saying something considering the price point and the company it keeps.

Craftsman WS405 String Trimmer

Craftsman WS405 String Trimmer

The straight shaft design makes it easier to trim around bushes and hard to reach places with this Craftsman four-stroke string trimmer. The fixed-line head is designed for a 0.95-inch round line, which is a standard size and suitable for most jobs around the home.

It features a simplified, two-step starting process of prime and pull, while the engine is designed to offer quieter use*, and a multi-position handle to reduce vibration and operator fatigue.

The 29cc power is backed by a large 17-inch cutting swath, so you can trim more grass in less time and put your feet up well before sundown.

Reward: The best lightweight gas-powered weed eater.

Pros

  • Excellent price.
  • Lightweight for a gas trimmer.
  • No oil or gas mix required.
  • Multi-tool attachment available.
  • Easy operation.

Cons

  • *Still very noisy.
  • It may be hard to find replacement spools.

Conclusion

It’s loud and it’s proud, but this is a quality weed whacker from Craftsman that offers plenty of power and will tame the jungle with ease. It’s a great price considering what’s under the hood.

GreenWorks ST80L210 String Trimmer

GreenWorks ST80L210 String Trimmer

The second of our battery-operated weed eaters is this model from the hugely popular company Greenworks. It’s a powerful 80V beast with a rapid charger included, and it offers you around 45 minutes of run time when fully juiced – and that only takes half-an-hour to a maximum charge.

The brushless motor provides a lot of power, performance, and durability, with a generous 16-inch cutting path to get the job done in double-quick time.

The variable speed trigger is extremely useful for conserving power and spool line, ensuring you have a more efficient operation while reducing the need to stop and start.

Reward: The best battery weed eater for the super-fast charger.

Pros

  • Highly rated.
  • Name to trust.
  • No maintenance.
  • Eco-friendly.
  • Split-shaft for compact storage.
  • Well balanced and lightweight.

Cons

  • Again, it still needs to charge – regardless of how fast it is.

Conclusion

Possibly the best commercial battery powered weed eater available – although the DeWalt might have something to say about that. For this price, you’re certainly getting a top-quality machine here.

Husqvarna Gas String Trimmer 128LD

Husqvarna Gas String Trimmer 128LD

Swedish manufacturer Husqvarna produces some outstanding power tools, including some top-quality zero-turn lawnmowers. This straight shaft string trimmer joins that line-up, with their distinctive and recognizable orange livery.

It features a 28cc, two-stroke engine that provides plenty of power to the large, 17-inch cutting head with a tap-n-go release design.

The translucent fuel tank allows you to visually monitor your fuel level as you work, and the machine is fully adaptable with three other click-on attachments, including an edger to keep your walkways razor sharp.

Reward: One of the best selling commercial weed eaters on the market.

Pros

  • Excellent build quality.
  • Name to trust.
  • Versatile multi-functions.
  • Lightweight.
  • Quick-start.
  • Auto-feed trimmer head.

Cons

  • It could be a little longer for taller people.

Conclusion

Another quality addition to their back catalog, this is an excellent multi-function trimmer that is one of the most popular available. Pick one up to find out why.

Southland Outdoor Power Equipment SWSTM4317 Trimmer

Southland Outdoor Power Equipment SWSTM4317 Trimmer

Our first walk-behind weed eater is this beast from Southland Outdoor Power Equipment. It features a whopping 43cc engine, which easily offers you up to 35% more torque than a hand-held trimmer right off the bat.

The multi-streaming trimmer head accepts 0.095-inch and 0.105-inch trimmer line, so you can choose the string that is right for your task. Heavy-duty 12-inch wheels with ball bearings provide maximum maneuverability across any terrain.

The adjustable head itself can swivel and bevel to offer you excellent directional control, while the on-board cutter ensures you get a perfect 17-inch cut diameter every single time.

Reward: The best walk-behind weed eater for the price.

Pros

  • No more back fatigue.
  • EPA and CARB compliant.
  • Adjustable height handle.
  • Other attachments are available.
  • Ideal for larger jobs.

Cons

  • Still harder to maneuver as opposed to a hand-held model.
  • On the heavy side.

Conclusion

If you’ve got plenty of yard space that either needs trimming, edging or leaf/snow-blowing, then this could well be the machine for you.

With the right attachment, this is the best commercial weed eater and edger available. See the buyer’s guide for more information about the two.

Husqvarna 129R String Trimmer

Husqvarna 129R String Trimmer

The handlebar/bullhorn design is a popular choice among landscaping professionals, as it offers excellent control when used in conjunction with a harness. This is one of Husqvarna’s versions, a 27.6cc, two-stroke engine with a straight shaft.

The stop switch automatically resets to the on position for easy re-start, and the air-purge requires less pulling to get the engine going in the first place, with the cord giving up to 40% less resistance.

The translucent fuel tank lets you keep tabs on your range, and a brushcutter blade is also included for those really stubborn areas.

Reward: The best easy-start commercial weed eater.

Pros

  • Designed to start with minimum fuss.
  • Powerful engine.
  • Adaptable trimmer head.
  • Ideal for tougher weeds and grass.

Cons

  • On the heavy side.
  • A harness is required.

Conclusion

Built for heavy-duty jobs, this is a powerful weed whacker from Husqvarna that has been adapted to give homeowners professional results as easily as possible.

You really need a harness with this machine, though – your back will thank you for it.

Tanaka TCG24EBSP Commercial String Trimmer

Tanaka TCG24EBSP Commercial String Trimmer

Japanese company Tanaka has been around since 1918 making innovative combustion engines. This is their commercial-grade, two-stroke, gas-powered weed eater, with a 23.9cc engine and aluminum clutch housing to prevent overheating.

The lined, solid steel drive shaft drastically reduces vibration for maximum comfort, while the built-in spindle lock eliminates the need for using tools when replacing the bump cutting head – or switching it out with a brushcutter blade.

It’s very lightweight, too, making it an ideal professional-grade tool for anyone who can’t use heavy equipment.

Reward: One of the best lightweight commercial weed eaters available.

Pros

  • Padded front and rear handles.
  • Very easy to use.
  • Line supported drive shaft.
  • Multi-blade option.
  • Quiet operation.

Cons

  • It doesn’t come with a brushcutter blade.

Conclusion

A super-lightweight line trimmer that still packs a punch and is very easy to start and use. It comes highly recommended and a great alternative to the likes of Honda and Husqvarna.

Husqvarna 967055801 String Trimmer

Husqvarna 967055801 String Trimmer

Speaking of Husqvarna, we’ve not had one for a while, so let’s add this 25cc, four-stroke version with a straight shaft.

It features a large cutting swath at 18-inches, translucent fuel tank, and tap-n-go bump head for easy line feed. As it’s a four-stroke, it doesn’t need that fiddly oil/fuel mixture and runs solely on unleaded gas for a longer-lasting and more durable machine.

The T25 trimmer line is easily replaced and reloaded, and the smart-start technology ensures you’ll get going in no time with as little effort as possible. Professional performance in your backyard.

Reward: One of the most durable weed eaters on the market.

Pros

  • Name to trust.
  • Auto-return switch.
  • High visibility cutting shield.
  • Quick line release.
  • Large fuel tank.

Cons

  • It’s loud – but then most gas-powered trimmers are.
  • Not as powerful as a two-stroke.

Conclusion

A long-lasting, tough and durable weed eater that has a great fuel capacity and doesn’t need an oil/gas mix. Ideal if you’ve got a lot of ground to cover but the undergrowth isn’t too unruly. If it, perhaps a good riding lawn mower for rough terrain would be a better option.

Dewalt DCST990H1 String Trimmer

Dewalt DCST990H1 String Trimmer

As far as battery-powered commercial weed eaters are concerned, this is probably the best one money can buy. What else would you expect from DeWalt?

A 40V string trimmer that will handle the toughest jobs, this machine comes with excellent feedback from others.

Featuring a patented gear drive design housed in a metal gear case for durability, a variable trigger for control over the speed and noise, and a 15-inch cutting swath, with a dual-line, bump-feed head.

Gas performance guaranteed, this is a serious piece of kit from the iconic US company.

Reward: Easily the best battery-powered weed eater there is.

Pros

  • Name to trust.
  • Trademark durable construction.
  • No need for pull cords.
  • Powerful performance.
  • Eco-friendly.
  • Low noise.
  • Little maintenance required.

Cons

  • As with all battery-powered tools – a recharge is always needed.
  • It’s quite expensive for a battery version.

Conclusion

A highly-rated, well built, reliable machine from DeWalt, which is probably the best alternative to gas-powered available. I’d like to see it go toe-to-toe with a Honda and see who comes out on top.

Remington RM1159 String Trimmer

Remington RM1159 String Trimmer

Never mind weed eating, let’s try weed devouring. This beast has an enormous 22-inch cutting swath, while the unique head shape makes trimming edges, flower beds, and other obstacles a breeze.

It also helps that it’s a commercial, walk-behind weed eater with a 159cc, four-stroke, gas-powered engine that will destroy any foolish foliage that dares to stand in its way.

Large, 14-inch ball-bearing wheels help you move easily over all kinds of terrain, and it’s finished with a comfortable folding handle for convenient storage and transportation.

Reward: The highest-rated walk-behind weed eater.

Pros

  • No need to carry anything.
  • Powerful engine.
  • Adjustable cutting heights.
  • Durable steel deck.
  • Good feedback from others.
  • Off-set trimmer head.

Cons

  • Noisy.
  • Large and heavy.

Conclusion

This walk-behind weed eater is well worth a look if you’ve got enough space in your yard for it to play. Comparatively, it’s not a bad price considering what’s coming up. Read on.

Makita XRU09PT1 String Trimmer

Makita XRU09PT1 String Trimmer

Another innovative Japanese company now with this cordless string trimmer from Makita. This is a really good value for money kit as it comes with four batteries included, offering a total of 36V of power through the brushless motor.

The direct drive system increases power and torque, while the variable speed option allows the user to match the RPMs to the task at hand. It comes ready equipped with the bump head loaded with 0.080-inch twisted line – which is the best for keeping noise to a minimum.

Aside from all that, it’s also one of the lightest weed eaters in this lineup – which is great if you’ve got a lot of ground to cover and you’re working long hours.

Reward: The best light commercial weed eater for a large property.

Pros

  • Quality construction.
  • Super-quiet.
  • Long run time.
  • Short charge time.
  • Eco-friendly.
  • The battery pack can be used in over 225 products.

Cons

  • It’s expensive.

Conclusion

A super-lightweight battery-powered option that offers outstanding torque and control that easily rivals gas trimmers. You can keep mowing down the lawn for hours with this thing.

Swisher STP4422HO String Trimmer

Swisher STP4422HO String Trimmer

First of all, and at the time of writing, if you’ve heard someone saying this is an overall bad trimmer, don’t be put off, as it’s probably unjust due to some misunderstandings on the buyer’s part. Swisher manufactures some seriously high-end commercial power equipment and this is no exception.

This walk-behind weed eater is a beast of a machine, featuring a super-strong, 4.4 horsepower, 160cc Honda engine. The off-set trimmer head is maintenance-free and will make it easy for you to negotiate those tricky spots in your (hopefully large) yard.

It offers you a merciless four-string/eight cutting line head, that will make short work of even the toughest weeds and grass. And to cap it all, it’s self-propelled, which will save you so much time and energy – especially if you’re trimming hilly terrain.

Reward: The most powerful walk-behind weed eater there is.

Pros

  • Name to trust.
  • Excellent build quality.
  • Tough and durable.
  • Large rear wheels.
  • Huge cutting swath.

Cons

  • Exorbitantly expensive.
  • For large plots of land only.
  • Very heavy.

Conclusion

It’s an animal that’s hungry for weeds, but quality and power like this don’t come cheap. If you’ve got the right-sized yard and the cash, you should treat yourself.

As mentioned above, it’s perfect for hilly terrain as well, but if you don’t want to empty your wallet completely, I encourage you to read my article specifically on the best lawn mowers for hills.

How to Choose the Best Commercial Weed Eater

Young man trimming grass

There’s a lot to take into consideration before parting with your cash on a pricey power tool – especially if it’s your first one.

Let’s take a look at the things you should be looking out for in your new commercial weed eater.

Power Source

When it comes to commercial weed eaters, you generally have two types of power sources. They’re either going to be gas-powered, or they’re going to be a cordless rechargeable.

Corded battery-powered machines have no place on a list of the best commercial weed eaters and are only useful for smaller residential plots.

While it’s long been considered that gas versions offer the most power, in recent years the advancement of battery technology has begged to differ.

There are some particularly strong battery-powered weed eaters available that claim to offer the same torque of that of a gas trimmer.

Rechargeable Trimmers

These trimmers have numerous advantages. They need virtually no maintenance, they’re very easy to start with no priming or cord pulling required, they give off zero emissions, are super-quiet to operate, and they weigh considerably less than their gas counterparts.

However, that being said, they still can’t really compete with the sheer power you get from a quality gas engine.

They also have the obvious constraint of running out of juice eventually. They won’t be able to come close to gas-powered trimmers when it comes to range and run time.

Hence why for commercial purposes, the vast majority of weed eaters here are gas-powered.

Gas-Powered Trimmers

They have either a two-stroke or four-stroke engine (or two-cycle/four-cycle engine).

Two-stroke engines offer the most power for their engine size. They’re often the go-to choice for professional weed whackers (landscapers).

They’re not without their drawbacks, however, as they need a measured oil and gas cocktail to run, can often be very difficult to start, and are considerably noisier than four-stroke engines.

Four-stroke engines don’t quite have the oomph that the two-stroke offers, but they are easier to start, only require gas to operate, and don’t spew out nearly as many fumes. This is advantageous in certain states where strict emission regulations are in place.

Regardless of which type of engine you choose, gas power tools are still noisy, they require a lot of maintenance and upkeep, and they’re not very kind to the environment.

Whether it be a rechargeable trimmer, a gas two-stroke model or a four-stroke version, It’s up to you which one you choose, but do take into consideration these points before you make the call.

It might also depend on the following factor, too.

Size of the Job

This is really quite simple – but it still needs addressing from time to time, especially as people are often prone to purchasing power tools that are serious overkill.

Suit the selection of weed eater to the size of the job it’s being bought to do.

If you’ve got a tiny piece of land, picking up a commercial-class trimmer is going overboard. Even if you really want it.

Likewise, if you’re lucky enough to own vast acres, a lightweight, corded trimmer you could use on your mustache or legs isn’t going to be up to the task.

Use your common sense here. It will save you time and money if your power tool is perfect for the job it needs to do.

Please note, I do not advocate using a garden string trimmer on facial or body hair.

Straight and Curved Weed Eaters

The eagle-eyed amongst you will notice that some weed eaters have a curved shaft, while others come with a straight shaft. What’s the difference? It’s much more than simply cosmetic.

Curved-Shaft Trimmers

These are generally more lightweight than straight shaft versions. They can be easier to handle depending on your personal preference. They’re also a lot cheaper.

Straight-Shaft Trimmers

These are more durable than curved shafts. They allow the user to access difficult areas and provide excellent reach and control. They’re more suitable for taller users, and/or if you’re cutting weeds for extended periods of time – which is why they’re generally favored commercially.

For a more detailed explanation of curved and straight-shaft trimmers, see the relevant question in the FAQ section below.

Cutting Swath

The size of your cutting head can make a big difference in the type of weed eater you choose.

As you might expect with commercial-class weed eaters, the larger the head, the better it is.

This simply means that you will cover more ground and get the job done faster.

Look for a trimmer that has a cutting head of at least 17-inches if you’re undertaking a commercially sized job.

Type of Cutting Head

How the cutting line is extended in the trimmer’s cutting head is another thing to consider before making your purchase. Generally speaking, you’ll find there are three types of cutting head.

The Fixed Head

This is the most common type in residential-class tools.

You start by feeding the line into the spool and cut the grass until it’s worn away and needs to be replaced. It’s the most time-consuming option and you won’t find it on a good commercial trimmer.

The Bump Head

It’s exactly what you think – you bump the head of the cutter on the ground to feed more cutting string through the spool. You replace the line only when it runs out, but it can get stuck and weld together if it’s not well designed and performing.

It’s also known as a bump-n-go and can save a lot of time if used correctly.

The Automatic Head

This head features a spinning motor that keeps the cutting string at a consistent length during the job. Excellent in theory, but it does come with its own limitations and can malfunction.

For commercial-standard trimming, I prefer using a bump-head as it offers you much more control and allows you to keep going by limiting the need to stop.

Again, it’s up to your personal preference and I’m open to having my mind changed.

Type of String

The market is awash with different types of trimmer string, and rather than extend this article for several pages, head on over to check out the best string trimmer line replacement spools of 2026.

You should find all the answers you need and the right type of string you should be using in your machine.

Weight

While it might at first seem like a string trimmer is lightweight, try lugging it around for a few hours and get back to me.

After even just a few minutes, these machines can start to become very heavy.

With that in mind, it’s important to select a weed eater you’re comfortable with and you can handle throughout the length of the job.

To be honest, most professionals will use a harness with the power tool, especially if in control of a gas-powered model.

There are lightweight trimmers available, but if you’ve got a lot of ground to cover you should consider investing in a good harness to shoulder some of the load.

Trust me – it makes all the difference.

Cost

Commercial weed eaters don’t come cheap – although there are certainly bargains to be had.

Again, I must stress that you should spend what you can afford, and only on something that fits the task it is required to do.

A $900 Swisher model is a waste of money on a backyard with not enough room to swing a cat.

FAQs

What Is a String Trimmer Used For?

A string trimmer is mostly used to cut back on unwanted undergrowth in your garden or yard.

Its main purpose is to tidy up after you have mowed your lawn – as your lawnmower won’t be able to reach all the areas in your garden.

String trimmers are perfect for cutting vegetation around obstacles, close to brick, concrete or woodwork, or simply anywhere your lawnmower can’t venture.

String trimmers can also be used to edge a lawn – keeping a nice neat edge along walkways, flower beds, water features, or anything else you might have in your yard.

Do I Need a String Trimmer?

I always say that you don’t need one – especially if your yard is on the smaller side. For smaller plots of land, it’s much better to use a manual edger or long-handled shears to keep the weeds at bay and keep the grass in order.

However, if your yard or garden is much larger, then a string trimmer is highly recommended as it will make the job much easier and halve the time it takes to do it.

They’re also a big help for anyone who can’t do manual garden work – as using hand shears will seriously take it out of you.

What Is a Weed Eater?

Exactly the same as a string trimmer, trimmer, weed whacker, strimmer, or any other strange name they might be known by all around the world.

It’s a garden tool for cutting grass and groundcover that uses a flexible, monofilament line to chop down unwanted foliage.

Don’t confuse this machine with a brushcutter – which uses a rotating blade or chain and is a much more powerful machine.

They’re used for seriously heavy-duty jobs that include clearing denser grass, very tough weeds, and even small trees and shrubs.

Most residential homeowners will have no need for a brush cutter on their property. They should only be handled by someone who really knows what they’re doing.

How Do I Clean and Maintain My Weed Eater?

Weed eaters – particularly gas-powered models – need regular maintenance to ensure they’re performing at maximum capacity and last as long as possible.

You should clean your machine immediately after using it to cut grass or weeds, as if the debris is left to dry out it can be harder to remove. Use a stiff brush to clean anything off that shouldn’t be there.

Regularly check (and replace – if required) fuel and air filters if you’re using a gas-powered machine.

Air filters should be washed in detergent and hot water after every 10 hours of use. Rinse well and let it dry. Lightly soak with clean motor oil to prevent anything from getting sucked into the engine.

Fuel lines and primer/purge valves should be in good working order, with no cracks or leakages.

Replace the spark plug roughly every 25-30 hours of use. If it’s damaged, eroded, or blackened in any way – replace it immediately.

The throttle cable should be in good working order, with nothing impeding its operation. Tighten the handle and guard to ensure continued safe and comfortable use.

Replace the string line if required. See the article on replacing the string line for detailed information

Warning: remember to switch the machine completely off, empty the gas tank and remove the spark plug (if present) before attempting any maintenance on your weed eater.

What Is The Best Gas String Trimmer For The Money?

Without trying and testing them all, it’s difficult to say. Everyone has their personal favorites, and opinions differ wildly between professional landscapers.

If I was backed into a corner and had to choose the best gas-powered string trimmer – I would almost certainly go with a Honda.

They are more expensive than other models, but you get what you pay for.

Which Company Makes The Best Weed Eaters?

Trimmer on green grass

Take your pick between Honda, Husqvarna, DeWalt, Greenworks, Poulan Pro, and Black & Decker to name a small, inexhaustive list.

My personal favorites are Honda, DeWalt, and Greenworks. Let me know which you prefer and why.

Why Are Curved Shaft Trimmers Cheaper? What’s The Difference?

I touched on this debate in the buyer’s guide above, but for more information and an in-depth look at the differences between straight and curved-shaft trimmers (and why one is more expensive than the other) refer to the video below.

How Often Should I Use My Weed Eater?

Remember that all weed eaters are dispersing microplastic into the environment, so even if it’s not a gas-powered model it’s still having an impact on mother earth.

With that in mind, you should try to limit how often you use your trimmer – and always do your best to clean up after yourself when you do.

This is why it’s useful to purchase brightly-colored line, so you have a better chance of locating and disposing of as much of it as possible when the job is done.

It’s actually up to you and your lawn when you use your trimmer. Mowing and trimming tend to go hand in hand, so whenever your patch of land is becoming unruly, perhaps it’s time to bring out the big guns and cut it down to size?

What’s The Difference Between A Trimmer And An Edger?

A very good question and I’m glad you asked. However, instead of me opening that can of worms here, might I direct you to this rather informative article on that very subject.

Read my article about Edger vs Trimmer and you will find out exactly what you’re looking for.

In short – there is a big difference, and you should get one of each.

What Safety Equipment Do I Need To Use With a String Trimmer?

Man with protective gear and trimmer

Another very good question and one I always like to touch on when talking about any kind of power tool.

Weed eaters – particularly the gas variety – tend to be very loud indeed. Especially two-stroke engines, or engines with a lot of power.

Ear Protectors

Are absolutely essential. There’s no ifs or buts about this – if you’re using a loud trimmer, you need to protect your ears.

Even if you can stand the noise for a while, you’re doing lasting damage to your hearing. This is particularly true of landscapers or regular trimmers.

Eye Protectors

Also, imperative. Even with a cutting guard, the very nature of these machines ensures that debris is going to be constantly flying everywhere.

Sharp objects, stones, glass, and even grass clippings can all cause serious damage and injury when launched through the air at high speed, and there have been fatalities. Wearing eye goggles is the very least you should do.

Harness

A harness is highly recommended for long periods of weed whacking. Don’t overlook the damage this job can do to your back.

When using a heavy machine, or tackling a large job, you’re going to need all the help you can get.

High-Visibility Jacket

This could be needed for those of you working anywhere that’s public – especially if its along roadways. Most homeowners won’t need to go that far, but if you need to maintain a stretch of lawn along a busy thoroughfare – it’s not a bad idea to be clearly seen.

Work Gloves

Protective gloves should always be worn – commercially cutting or not. The vibrations these machines give off can be very uncomfortable and can seriously damage and chafe your hands. The added grip they offer is also very advantageous.

For a more detailed look at all the protective things you should consider, read this article.

Summary

A beast of an article to cover these beast machines. Finding the best commercial weed eaters has not been an easy task, but I hope this piece has gone someway to pointing you in the right direction.

As for me, if I was forced to choose between them, I’d go for the DeWalt battery-powered model.

Yes, it’s not gas and purists would say it’s not commercial, but I think it’s a top-quality tool that will suit most homeowners right down to the ground they’re going to be cutting.

Let me know which machine you prefer and why.

Happy weed eating/trimming/strimming/weed whacking/whipper snipping!

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The 9 Best Commercial Zero-Turn Mowers 2026 – Get the Job Done https://yardthyme.com/lawn-care/lawnmowers/best-commercial-zero-turn-mowers/ Tue, 29 Sep 2026 16:18:58 +0000 https://yardthyme.com/?p=111 You’re a busy person, right?

I get it. We all are.

And the last thing you want to be doing when there aren’t enough hours in the day – is taking an age to mow your lawn.

Especially if you happen to have quite a lot of it.

Enter – the zero-turn lawnmower.

If you’ve got anything above half an acre of land and you don’t have one of these babies – you’re doing it wrong.

Invented in 1949, the ingenious 360-degree turning system has developed over the years, but it’s still enabling gardeners to get the job done in double-quick time.

So, read on to discover the best commercial zero-turn mowers for use on your land.

Let’s “turn on a dime and save time.”

The 9 Best Commercial Zero-Turn Mowers for 2026

Troy-Bilt Mustang Fit Riding Lawn Mower

Troy-Bilt Mustang Fit Riding Lawn Mower

Founded in 1937 and revolutionizing the rototiller, Ohio-based Troy-Bilt continue to break new ground with their line of lawn care power tools.

This is a relatively compact zero-turn mower with a cutting deck of 34-inches, but the 452cc engine with EZT hydrostatic transmission packs enough power to mow large areas of rough grass.

There’s an operator-controlled, mow-in-reverse capability, all from the comfort of a high-backed seat with suspension springs and extra room in the footwell.

Featuring an extra-wide side discharge, durable wheels for tough terrain, and lap-bar steering, the Troy-Bilt Mustang is perfect for taking your mowing game to the next level.

Pros

  • Super-slim, compact design.
  • Heavy-duty construction.
  • Name to trust.
  • Eight position height adjustment.
  • Affordable for a zero-turn.

Cons

  • It might not be enough power for some.

Conclusion

A super “little” zero-turn mower that’s ideal for residential yards between half and two acres. The compact size allows easy storage compared to other models, and it will fit through standard 36-inch gates with ease.

Craftsman Zero Turn Riding Lawn Mower

Craftsman Zero Turn Riding Lawn Mower

Now under the umbrella of Stanley Black & Decker, Craftsman has been in the game since 1927 manufacturing tools, lawn and garden equipment, and workwear.

This machine offers a 24 horsepower, Briggs & Stratton engine, which utilizes ReadyStart technology for a fast efficient start. The generous, 54-inch cutting deck has an integrated deck wash and is one of the largest decks available at this price point.

Durable 11-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels are built to last and provide greater clearance for your mow while being able to handle tougher terrain, and the dual hydro-gear drive system offers the power and control you need to get the job done.

Pros

  • Excellent value.
  • Mow in reverse.
  • Supportive, high-backed seat.
  • Nine cutting heights.
  • Tow hitch.

Cons

  • Mowing downhill is a little tricky – but that can be said for any commercial zero-turn mower.
  • The protective cover is extra.

Conclusion

With an excellently-sized cutting deck, this is a really good tool for larger yards and probably best commercial-grade zero turn mower for the money available.

Snapper Riding Zero Turn Mower

Snapper Riding Zero Turn Mower

Founded way back in 1890, Snapper built the first self-propelled rotary lawn mower in 1951. This particular model is packed with features, making it one of the finest commercial-grade zero-turn mowers you can buy.

With a 48-inch cutting deck and 23 horsepower engine, it’s certainly got the power and size to breeze through the toughest jobs.

A fully-welded steel frame, thick-walled front axle, durable mower deck, and ball bearings in the caster spindles ensure durability and a great cut across the board.

The foot-operated height adjustment gives you an excellent 13 different height options for total control, while the integrated rear cargo bed offers unrivaled versatility in this class.

Pros

  • Highly adaptable with accessories.
  • Name to trust.
  • Tough and durable.
  • Utility machine.
  • Briggs & Stratton Professional Series engine.

Cons

  • Make sure you choose the correct model before purchasing.

Conclusion

For a heavy-duty, commercial zero-turn mower you can use at home, this Snapper really takes some beating.

I think it’s worth it for the highly versatile cargo bed and railings alone. Just don’t carry any passengers on the back.

Troy-Bilt Mustang 54-Inch Zero-Turn Mower

Troy-Bilt Mustang 54-Inch Zero-Turn Mower

A step up from the previous Troy-Bilt Mustang, this 54-inch zero-turn mower is ideal if you need a bit more from your machine.

It’s powered by 25 horsepower Briggs & Stratton Intek twin-cylinder engine with an added oil filter and a dual hydro-static transmission for ultimate performance and control.

The wide-deck has four castor wheels and a rear roller added for extra efficiency and smooth performance over your terrain. A dual deck wash is built to help with clean up, and you can have a top forward speed of 7 mph and a reverse speed of 2.5 mph.

It’s finished with a comfortable high-backed seat and dual suspension springs that make this Mustang a joy to ride.

Pros

  • Top-quality construction.
  • Name to trust.
  • Eight deck height options.
  • Triple-blade discharge deck.
  • Electric power take-off.
  • Hour meter.

Cons

  • It only comes in red…

Conclusion

A highly rated commercial-grade zero-turn mower that will also turn a lot of heads. It’s hard to find fault with this level of quality from Troy-Bilt.

Beast 62ZBBM20 Zero Turn Lawn Mower

Beast 62ZBBM20 Zero Turn Lawn Mower

The Beast 62ZBBM20 is a zero-turn mower that is faster than most comparable mowers out there. Its 25hp engine makes sure that you can blaze through the grass at a consistent 12 mph.

A powerful engine also requires lots of fuel. Thankfully, the Beast 62ZBBM20 can hold 7.5 gallons of gas.

Finally, the mower is incredibly safe to drive thanks to the built-in roll cage and seat belt.

So, be it a lawn or a golf course, the Beast 62ZBBM20 will spell doom for the grass, while keeping you safe.

Pros

  • 3 large blades cut a wide area.
  • Pretty speedy at 12 mph.
  • Holds an ample amount of gas.

Cons

  • Didn’t find any.

Conclusion

The Beast 62ZBBM20 is, for the lack of a better word, a beast. It is a beast when it comes to speed. It is a beast when it comes to chopping grass. And it is certainly a beast when it comes to keeping the rider secure.

John Deere Z345M Zero Turn Lawn Mower

John Deere Z345M Zero Turn Lawn Mower

For mowing medium to large lawns, the John Deere Z345M is a perfect choice. It has a 22HP engine with a top speed of 7mph.

The deck is 42 inches with 3 large blades ensuring that you can cut more grass. The cutting height is also adjustable.

And to make the deal even sweeter, John Deere sensibly made the engine able to start like a car rather than a mower. Eliminating pull-to-start is great because a lot of people struggle with the pulling mechanism.

Pros

  • Plenty of horsepower.
  • Better than average speed.
  • A removable footrest makes cleaning easier.

Cons

  • The gasoline capacity is a little low.

Conclusion

The John Deere Z345M is an almost perfect lawnmower for medium-sized lawns. And although the gasoline capacity is not a lot, the ample speed, coupled with the large blades, will make sure your lawn is finished before the tank.

Husqvarna Briggs & Stratton Hydrostatic Zero-Turn Mower

Husqvarna Briggs & Stratton Hydrostatic Zero-Turn Mower

Swedish company Husqvarna is something of a household name when it comes to zero-turn mowers, and they’re never too far away from reviews such as this one.

Powered by a Briggs & Stratton engine with 27 horsepower and a hydrostatic transmission, this is one of their top-rated zero-turn lawnmowers and a great addition to any tool shed.

It offers a reliable start and excellent ground speed, cutting the lawn with a 61-inch deck that features an ergonomically designed deck-lifting system so you can raise and lower the cutting height from your driving position.

Clippings can be discharged, mulched or bagged with a nine-bushel triple bag collection system, while the high-backed seat has armrests, foam-padded handgrips, and vibration dampeners.

Over any kind of terrain, this zero-turn, ride-on lawnmower is one of the very best on the market.

Pros

  • Name to trust.
  • Very comfortable to use.
  • Powerful engine.
  • Hour meter and service reminder.
  • Cupholder.
  • Built to last.

Cons

  • Expensive.
  • Mulcher and bagger sold separately.

Conclusion

Another top-quality zero-turn lawnmower from the Swedes. It’s not going to be cheap from here on, though.

Husqvarna Kawasaki Hydrostatic Zero-Turn Mower

Husqvarna Kawasaki Hydrostatic Zero-Turn Mower

This version is slightly adapted from the previous Husqvarna model, notable for a few key differences. This time it’s a Kawasaki motor on board, offering 24 horsepower which provides excellent speed in both forward and reverse.

It also incorporates the Roll Over Protection System (ROPS) which is a very advisable safety feature if you’re mowing hills or tough terrain and you need extra peace of mind.

Aside from that, it’s got all the same quality features you would come to expect from a 61-inch zero-turn mower from one of the world’s leading power tool brands.

Pros

  • Name to trust.
  • Very comfortable to use.
  • Powerful engine.
  • Hour meter and service reminder.
  • Cupholder.
  • Built to last.

Cons

  • Expensive.
  • Mulcher and bagger sold separately.

Conclusion

A different engine and a little bit more money, but it’s essentially the same mower as the previous inclusion. However, you can’t go wrong with having the back-up roll bar just in case you do happen to tip it over. It could save your life.

RYOBI RY48ZTR100 Zero Turn Lawn Mower

RYOBI RY48ZTR100 Zero Turn Lawn Mower

The RYOBI RY48ZTR100 is an electric lawnmower. You charge it and use it. And although it is less powerful than comparable gasoline-powered offerings, the benefits more than make up for it.

First up, you don’t have to worry about the maintenance and cleanup costs that are inevitable when dealing with gasoline mowers. You only need to charge a battery.

Second, while riding you can also charge your phone. In a world where we are always browsing Facebook, this is a neat feature to have.

Finally, the 42-inch deck is wide enough to cut a large area, making the RYOBI RY48ZTR100 a nice option for mowing a large lawn.

Pros

  • Works continuously for three hours.
  • Variable seat and deck height.
  • LED lights in the front.
  • Efficient and requires little maintenance.

Cons

  • Costs quite a lot.
  • Speed could have been a bit better.

Conclusion

The RYOBI RY48ZTR100 is for people who want minimal a machine that requires minimal maintenance. The electric motor can run for months without you needing to touch anything. It can also last a while on a single charge.

How to Choose the Right Commercial Zero-Turn Mower

man mowing grass with zero turn mower at the large garden

There’s quite a lot to consider before you click the “add to cart” button, especially if you’re new to zero-turn mowers.

With that in mind, I’ve put together this short guide to help you make a decision. Here are some of the things you should be looking out for.

Deck Size

Perhaps the most important consideration when choosing a ride-on lawnmower of any kind, is how large you need the cutting deck to be.

The larger the lawn or yard, the more inches of deck you’re going to need to get the job done in double-quick time.

Below, I’ve added a simple explanation to help you pick the correct deck size for your land.

Less than ½ acre – 40-inch deck or less.

½ acre-2 acres – 40-50 inch deck.

2 acres and above – 50-inch deck and above.

Remember, having a larger deck might not always mean a faster mowing time. It will also depend on other factors, such as the machine’s horsepower, and any obstacles you might encounter during the job.

The Brand

You’ll notice I’ve included a little background info on all the brands in this review.

That’s because, when you’re spending this much money, it’s nice to know you’re buying something from a quality, reputable company.

When choosing your new commercial zero-turn lawnmower, it really comes down to your personal preference as to which brand comes out on top.

You might have had previous experience with one more than the other – and this will help inform your decision.

Also, carefully read the reviews, as customers who are more familiar with certain companies will waste no time in telling you what they think of them – good or bad – while speaking from valuable experience.

Transmission

With riding lawnmowers, there are usually three types of transmission. Manual, automatic, and hydrostatic.

There’s no need to go into a detailed explanation on manual and automatic because, with zero-turn mowers, nearly all of them offer hydrostatic transmission.

The hydrostatic transmission does away with pulley and belt systems, instead opting to use variable displacement pumps which use fluid flow to power a motor.

The pump uses pressurized oil to move pistons in the drive system. The pistons power the hydrostatic motor, which then turns the wheels on the lawnmower.

As such, you get more power and more maneuverability than any other form of transmission. The response time is also much faster, so it allows you to change direction and speed easily.

You can see how this would be an advantage on a zero-turn lawnmower. Many also include the option of cruise control, so you can let the machine do even more of the work for you.

lawn with a yellow zero-turn lawn mower

Horsepower

The more horsepower you have under the hood of a zero-turn lawnmower (or any engine for that matter) the faster it will go.

How much you need will depend on the size of your land, and/or how long you’re willing to spend maintaining it.

Opt for the most power you can afford – but remember to make sure you’re also buying a mower with the correct cutting deck size, too.

Faster doesn’t always mean better – for you or your garden. Choose something you’re also comfortable controlling.

Fuel Capacity

Another factor that’s often overlooked, a lawnmower’s fuel capacity might make or break your decision.

As with a lot of these points, it all comes down to the size of the land you want to mow. Nobody wants to be stopping to top up the fuel tank midway through the job. At least, if you don’t actually have to.

How much fuel it’s going to take to cut your lawn can be tricky to calculate.

It will depend on the type of mower, its horsepower/speed, weight, the weight of the occupant, the weight of any accessories attached, the quality of the terrain, and the length of the grass – just to name a few variables.

When in doubt, try and opt for the largest fuel tank you can. At the end of the day, you’ll spend less time filling it up – and that’s more money in your pocket.

FAQs

What is a Zero-Turn Lawn Mower?

A zero-turn lawn mower is a grass-cutting power tool that doesn’t have a turning circle.

Basically, it can pivot 360 degrees on the spot. “Turns on a dime to save time” is the common catchphrase.

While there are walk-behind zero-turn mowers available, for the most part (and in the case of this review) they are ride-on machines.

You’ll notice that they don’t have steering wheels, instead, they utilize two levers to control direction, speed, forward and reverse. And, of course, braking.

For more information on how they work and how to operate one, keep reading!

How Do I Drive a Zero-Turn Mower?

They’re not as complex as you might think, but it does take a little bit of practice getting used to the system.

Especially if you’re only used to driving with a steering wheel.

It’s important you do get a feel for the mower before you begin cutting your grass, however, as you can damage your yard if you don’t know what you’re doing.

There have been a number of reviews that discredit the mower itself, blaming the machine for a poor job.

This is not the case – a bad workperson always blames their tools and with the correct application and use, a zero-turn mower should not be damaging anything.

With that in mind, check out the informative video below which is packed full of useful tips for how to operate a zero-turn lawnmower successfully.

Very useful if you’re a total noob.

Do I Really Need a Zero-Turn Lawn Mower?

It depends on the size of your yard and if you’re willing to pay extra for the technology as opposed to simply using a walk-behind or ride-on.

There’s no doubt they save loads of time, but they don’t come cheap and can set you back a fair bit of coin.

They’re also not ideal if you have particularly hilly terrain to cover – zero-turn mowers are only really suitable for flat surfaces.

It’s up to you if you think you need a zero-turn mower. If your land is big enough, you have the space for storage, and you can afford one, then it makes a sound investment that will save you time and money in the long run.

What are the Advantages of a Zero-Turn Lawn Mower?

There are several advantages to using a zero-turn lawnmower.

They’re easy to handle, highly maneuverable, and can shave hours off the time it would usually take you to do a big lawn care job.

They can also negotiate obstacles with ease – providing your cutting deck isn’t too large.

And with the time you save cutting the grass, a world of possibilities might open up for you for doing other things.

(You’ll also save a stack of money.)

What are the Disadvantages of a Zero-Turn Lawn Mower?

There aren’t many, but the downsides of a zero-turn lawnmower will be significant to some potential users.

First of all – they’re expensive. Exorbitantly expensive. This is a luxury, so think carefully if you really need to spend 5K on something that could do the same job for under a grand.

They’re also not ideal for hills. There is a danger that you can flip a zero-turn mower if you’re not careful. This is why some models come with roll bars as standard.

Furthermore, they can be a little too much to handle for some people. There is certainly a steeper learning curve with a zero-turn mower than there is with any other garden power tool.

Summary

There you have it, folks, the most popular commercial zero-turn mowers available today. I hope this review has gone some way to helping you choose the right model for your needs.

As for me, if I were in the market for such a beast, I would go for the Troy-Bilt Mustang with a cargo bed.

I think it’s one of the most versatile mowers around, powerful enough, still at an affordable price, and with plenty of options to accessorize.

If you are interested in other types of lawn mowers we have you covered as well.

Let me know which model you would choose and why.

Happy zero-turning!

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Does Mowing Weeds Really Spread Them and How? (Question Answered!) https://yardthyme.com/weed-and-pest-control/does-mowing-weeds-really-spread-them/ Tue, 29 Sep 2026 12:04:14 +0000 https://yardthyme.com/?p=4087 Anyone trying to nurture a beautifully landscaped lawn will agree that weeds are the enemy of aesthetics and the lawn’s health. And your current lawn care practices could be why weeds take over your lawn.

How can you change that?

It turns out that mowing weeds can help to control them, but it can also help to spread them if it’s not done correctly. With the correct mowing practices, you can get your weed problem under control.

And it’s easier than you think!

In this post, you’ll find out if mowing weeds spreads them and what you can do about it.

In Short

  • Mowing weeds can keep them under control.
  • Leaving grass clippings on your lawn with weeds seeds in them can spread weeds.
  • Mowing lawn with the mower’s exhaust captured is the solution.

mowing lawn with riding lawnmower tractor and attached spreader

To Mow or Not to Mow? Is it a Good Idea to Mow Weeds?

News flash!

Mowing weeds is actually an effective form of weed control.

Here’s the catch, though. It’s only highly effective when mowing weeds that are still young plants and only spreads through seed propagation. The idea is that if you trim them back before they can spread their seeds, they will eventually die out. Then, the spread will be over!

But wait, there’s more to the story!

You can’t just whip out the mower and go wild! If you’re mowing weeds, you must ensure that there’s a clippings bag attached to your mower. This is to trap any pesky seeds so that they can’t spread.

Does Mowing Weeds Really Spread Them, and How?

Weeds that spread by means of seeding can be a hassle to get under control, but it’s not impossible.

Here’s the honest truth…

Weed seeds have a nasty habit of being stored in the earth for many years and slowly reappearing over time. Mowing can be used to get rid of weeds over the long term.

It’s a process that requires time and consistent effort, but the payoff is well worth it.

Andy using weed killer on green lawn

When Mowing Won’t Work as Effective Weed Control

Sadly, mowing isn’t the sole solution to a weed problem. Mowing may help control seed-spreading weeds, but it’s an entirely new ball game regarding weeds that spread through stolons or runners. These weeds will continue to spread even if you mow them.

What’s the solution?

Herbicide, aka weed killer, made specifically for weeds, should be applied to the affected area.

There’s more bad news…

Certain weeds, such as the infamous Bindiis, grow super-low to the ground, making it impossible for a mower to reach them. In this instance, a weed specific herbicide is the answer.

Lastly, another scenario where mowing won’t work is if you’ve left it too late and the weeds have matured. In this case, some of the seeds may have already dropped and be spreading, so they won’t be trapped in your clippings bag.

Is Pulling Weeds Before Mowing an Option?

If you’re worried that your mowing schedule won’t be enough to keep weeds at bay, you may start to think of innovative control techniques, such as pulling weeds out before you mow the lawn.

When considering if mowing spreads weeds, it’s only natural to think that pulling weeds will help the problem.

And the clincher is this…

Pulling weeds out before mowing is undoubtedly the best course of action. In fact, if you manage to pull out the weeds when they are small and haven’t had a chance to bloom, you stand a better chance of getting rid of them completely than just by mowing them.

woman wearing gardening gloves and holding lawn weeds

Tips to Consider when Pulling Weeds Before Mowing

  • Act quickly when you see weeds – don’t let them grow to maturity.
  • Securely grip the weed at the base of the stem and tug gently until you know how much effort will be required to remove the entire root system.
  • For difficult and deeply rooted weeds, make use of weeding tools that will simplify the process and make it easier.
  • Consider a no-till garden. If you turn the garden soil twice per year to get oxygen into the soil and inspire new growth, you could also be inspiring new weed seed growth. If you’re worried about tilling and bringing up weed seeds that spread, consider a no-till setup where you don’t turn your soil.

Do This One Thing if You’ve Already Mowed Mature Weeds with Seeds

If you’ve already mowed mature weeds and started the spread of seeds, you may be worried that the weed problem will soon become insurmountable.

Don’t fret! There’s a solution, and it’s called a pre-emergent!

Pre-emergent is a granular herbicide that is typically sprinkled on the surface of the lawn in the affected area. It stops weed seeds from germinating.

How does it work?

With watering, the pre-emergent dissolves and soaks into the soil where it forms a barrier around the seeds. You can reapply pre-emergent every 12 weeks to keep seed germination at bay.

Something to be aware of…

Pre-emergent doesn’t discriminate. So, if you’ve applied to the soil in a specific area, the weed seeds won’t germinate, but other seeds (even beneficial ones) won’t germinate there either.

How Do You Stop Your Mower From Spreading Seeds?

It may feel like your mower is working against you, and you may want to drop to your knees and wail, “Why is my mower spreading seeds?”?” but the reality is that your mower is just a mower, and it’s up to you to take precautions to stop weed seed spread.

Does mowing weeds spread them? We’ve come to the conclusion that it can.

But here are some tips to follow to stop your mower from spreading weeds:

  • Use an exhaust cover or clippings bag to trap all the seeds that may come off the lawn while mowing.
  • Clean the mower and its blades to ensure you don’t spread seeds to different areas.
  • Pull as many weeds out as you can before you start mowing.
  • Use a lawn mower that’s best suited to weed control.

In Summary

In closing, does mowing seeds spread them? Mowing doesn’t necessarily have to spread weeds in your lawn if it is done correctly.

That said, if you don’t take the necessary precautions, mowing weeds can spread them. Use the tips above to get a better handle on your mowing when dealing with a weed problem.

Do you have any tips and tricks for managing weeds in lawn that you’d like to share? Leave your comments below.

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Common Lawn Diseases & How to Stop Them in Their Roots https://yardthyme.com/weed-and-pest-control/common-lawn-diseases/ Tue, 29 Sep 2026 07:42:01 +0000 https://yardthyme.com/?p=2285 Keeping a lush lawn or garden is one of the more satisfying things you can do with your free time. However, from time to time, it can turn into a frustrating ordeal.

You think you are doing everything right – mowing, watering, fertilizing – but all of a sudden, you start noticing unsightly yellow or brown patches or weird white dust-like substance. If you are really unlucky, these begin to spread – and you don’t have a clue what happened.

That’s just one of the scenarios when you find yourself face to face with lawn diseases.

What can we do to prevent and combat lawn disease?

In this article, I will teach you a few things about common lawn diseases. We will look at some of the trickiest and most dangerous turf grass diseases, the reasons for their occurrence, and what you can do to stop them. When you’re done with reading, you’ll be skilled in identifying lawn problems.

Identifying the disease is the key to defeating it, so pay special attention to the Lawn Disease Identification section.

What is Turf Disease?

Just like when we talk about human or animal disease, lawn turf disease can also be caused by various pathogens. While bacteria and viruses are the most common causes of animal disease, fungus (molds) rank high on the pathogen list in the plant world, especially among turf grasses.

There are many species of fungus that can attack your lawn under right (or should I say wrong) conditions. All of them have a signature look, and later we will learn to identify them.

Another type of lawn “disease” is pest attack. While it may look like a disease, it is mechanical damage by insects or other critters that leads to growth irregularities and wilting.

pests and disease cause yellow spots to green lawn

Why Lawn Diseases Occur?

Turf diseases usually don’t strike at random. Fungi and their spores are everywhere and are a natural part of every lawn.

When all the biological factors are in balance, they don’t cause disease.

However, when something in the environment or within the plant itself is out of order, fungi can proliferate and become a problem.

Three main factors contribute to the actual manifestation of the disease.

Below the leading causes, I’ll list reasons for their presentation:

Weather conditions that favor the proliferation of the fungus

  • Cloudy or overcast weather for days.
  • Not enough direct sunlight.
  • Excessive moisture from rainfall, humidity, or improper watering.

Weak or feeble turf

  • Genetic reasons (bad stock).
  • Unfavorable climatic conditions for a particular grass species.
  • Adverse weather conditions in general (drought, soaking rains).

Aggressive or inadequate management practices

  • Low mowing.
  • Too frequent mowing and grooming.
  • Overwatering.
  • Overfertilizing.
  • Nutrient deficiency (under-fertilizing).
  • High traffic.
  • Dirty mowers.

Another reason why a classic lawn is vulnerable to plant diseases is that it is a monoculture.

That means that a typical lawn consists of one grass species only. When a pathogen becomes adapted to a particular grass species, it can quickly spread to all neighboring plants with no barrier.

It wasn’t always like that. In the old days – 19th and early 20th century – lawn seeds were sold as mixes rather than seeds of a single species.

Relative severity of selected diseases on five cool-season turf species.

Turfgrass Disease Profiles
Source: www.extension.purdue.edu

— = rare; no symptoms, not susceptible.
+ = sporadic; damage is mostly cosmetic and has a short duration.
++ = sporadic; cosmetic damage is of major concern, and structural injury will lead to thin, poor quality turf.
+++ = sporadic; cosmetic damage and serious structural injury to turf depending on the extent and duration of the outbreak.
++++ = chronic; potential for severe structural injury that will affect appearance and playability for unacceptable periods.

Lawn Disease Identification

Let’s look at some of the most dangerous, treatment-resistant, but also most common lawn diseases.

The type of infection you can expect to appear on the lawn depends on the climate, current weather, and the time of the year.

As you will see with each disease, management (also called cultural) practices can either increase or decrease disease susceptibility.

Pythium Blight and Other Pythium Turf Diseases

Pythium Blight Turf
Source: https://ag.umass.edu/turf/fact-sheets/pythium-diseases-of-turf

Pythium is a genus of fungi that causes various diseases in turfgrasses and other plants. Pythium blight of turfgrass is the best known of all of them, infamous for its quick spread, high mortality of affected plants, and extensive turf loss.

If you don’t try to stop the disease and the weather conditions don’t become less favorable for Pythium spread, large turf areas can completely die off in only a few days.

At the onset of the disease, you will notice relatively small round patches of water-soaked, dark, “greased” grass in short-mown turfs. During dew hours early in the morning, you may also see cottony white mycelium. When turf dies, it becomes matted.

Cause of Pythium Blight on Lawns

The disease is of fungal origin, with Pythium fungi being the cause. Although several Pythium species can cause blight, Pythium aphanidermatum is most commonly to blame.

However, weather plays a vital role in the spread of the disease. Pythium aphanidermatum outbreaks occur during summer days with long dew periods (lasting 14 hours or more), late afternoon rains, and evening temperatures are at least 68°F.

They are most common in low areas where dew forms early in the evening and remains until the morning.

Unlike some other diseases which thrive in low-fertility soils, Pythium loves to attack lush turfs with high or excessive nitrogen in the ground.

Affected Grass Species

  • Creeping bentgrass (particularly affected)
  • Rough bluegrass (particularly affected)
  • Annual bluegrass (particularly affected)
  • Perennial ryegrass (particularly affected)
  • Kentucky bluegrass (limited damage)
  • Tall fescue (limited damage)

How To Fight Pythium Blight

Applying fungicides to fight Pythium is tricky and is best left to professionals. The fungicides efficient against Pythium are used in recommended tank mixes.

They must be rotated among Further Resistance Management Recommendations for Modes of Action (FRAC) groups because it’s the only way to prevent fungicide resistance development.

Management Practices to Fight Pythium Blight

  • Preventing water logging is the key; Improve drainage, avoid overwatering, do not water in the late afternoon or evening, reduce automatic surface watering and use syringing.
  • Avoid overfertilizing, especially with nitrogen. Use slow-release nitrogen fertilizers instead of quick-release fertilizers.
  • Ensure adequate calcium levels can also increase susceptibility to Pythium blight.
  • Mechanically remove thatch (when it exceeds 0.5″).
  • Adjust mowing practices: raise mowing height, reduce mowing frequency, don’t mow wet grass, and especially if you can see the mycelium (cottony structures).
  • Plant Pythium-hardy grass cultivars.

Dollar Spot Disease in Grass

Dollar Spot Disease in Grass
Source: https://ag.umass.edu/turf/fact-sheets/dollar-spot

Dollar spot is a fungal turf disease that got its name from its beginning manifestation – straw-colored or whitish circles the size of a silver dollar, 1-3 inches in diameter.

In time, they can spread to be 6 inches wide. In severe cases, circles will merge, forming large irregularly-shaped blocks of affected grass, usually sunken.

On humid nights or in the dew-rich mornings when the fungus is active, you may be able to notice cotton-like or cobweb-like growth too.

When you look at the grass blades, you will see small white-to-straw-colored patches, often with brown or reddish-brown hourglass-shaped margins.

Cause of Dollar Spot Disease on Lawns

The pathogen behind the dollar spot disease is the fungus Clarireedia jacksonii, although, in literature, you will also find it under its former name, Sclerotinia homoeocarpa.

It is active from May to October and appearing in temperatures ranging from 60 to 90°F. It prefers the weather pattern with warm days, cool nights, and heavy dew.

Beyond weather, C. jacksonii also prefers a particular type of soil. It gets most severe in dry soils with low nitrogen. Also, it stays dormant and survives unfavorable periods in the thatch, so having a thatch-filled lawn is also a contributing factor to the fungus survival and proliferation.

The fungus can be spread by mowers, golf carts, shoes, and by wind and water. Because of that, and because of frequent chemical treatments, golf courses are especially susceptible.

Affected Species of Grass

  • Fine fescue
  • Tall fescue
  • Perennial ryegrass
  • Bentgrass
  • Centipede grass
  • Kentucky bluegrass
  • Bermudagrass
  • Zoysa Grass

How to Combat Dollar Spot Disease

The dollar spot disease is notoriously fungicide-resistant, especially in the case of frequent and heavy treatments of the lawn.

Unfortunately, if you want to rely on fungicide treatment as a sole way of controlling the disease, you are in for a lot of work with an uncertain result.

Preventive treatments during the favorable season, changing and using fungicide of different fungicide classes, and avoiding fungicide that the C. jacksonii has the most resistance to are some basic instructions. However, you may benefit from professional advice.

Everyone agrees that using cultural practices that sabotage the fungus, with or without chemical management, is the central pillar of fighting dollar spot disease.

  • Water stress: watering should be deep but infrequent, and not often, and superficial. Also, you can remove dew in the morning by rolling, whipping, or poling the grass early in the morning. You can also mow, but mowing wet lawns is not recommended.
  • Apply nitrogen fertilizers frequently per instructions to avoid nitrogen depletion.
  • Use organic fertilizers such as compost and bio fungicides.
  • Overseed with newer grass cultivars which were selected to be not so susceptible to the disease.
  • Consider using mixed-species lawn seed mixes that include low flowering species such as white clover; clovers will also help maintain adequate nitrogen levels.

Anthracnose Lawn Disease in Grass

Anthracnose Lawn Disease
Source: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/anthracnose-in-turf

Anthracnose is a fungal disease that appears in two forms:

  • Foliar Blight
  • Basal Root

Foliar blight symptoms look like yellow and brown, irregular patches on turf at the beginning. Soon, the patches turn tan, and the grass dies.

A look under the magnifying glass can reveal black, hair-like structures representing the fungus’ flowering. It can look similar to extreme drought stress, but the main difference is that the symptoms are made worse instead of less severe with watering.

Basal root symptoms include yellowing of the leaves, the brick red color of the youngest blades, and black root at the blades’ base. When the fungus infects the growing part of the plant, the recovery is slow and uncertain.

Cause of Anthracnose Disease on Lawns

Anthracnose is caused by the fungus called Colletotrichum cereale. The disease has become much more aggressive in recent years in places of intensive turf management such as golf courses.

Anthracnose lives and survives in plant debris, living as a saprophyte – an organism that feeds on dead matter.

However, when the grass is stressed from heat, low mowing, poor drainage, heavy foot traffic, too much thatch, and nutrient deficiency, the fungus can turn on the living plants.

Affected Species of Grass

  • Annual bluegrass (particularly affected)
  • Kentucky bluegrass
  • Creeping bentgrass
  • Fine-leaf fescues
  • Bermudagrass
  • Perennial ryegrass
  • Meadow grass

The disease commonly strikes at golf courses.

How to Combat Anthracnose Lawn Disease

As with the dollar spot disease, Anthracnose is hard to treat with fungicides. It responds better to preventive treatments rather than curative ones.

If the treatment is needed and unavoidable, it is best to get anthracnose while it is in its foliar stage.

The weapon of choice is a multi-site fungicide protectant such as chlorothalonil, plus a systemic penetrant fungicide.

As with other hard-to-treat diseases, it is much better to try to work on anthracnose prevention via good lawn management practices.

  • Avoid low mowing, especially during periods of disease outbreaks and heat stress. Increasing mowing height just 0.1” can already help lessen the disease severity.
  • Do proper essential maintenance – aerate and dethatch.
  • Improve drainage and air movement (by pruning trees and bushes where needed).
  • Make sure that nitrogen and potassium levels are sufficient.
  • Be mindful of irrigation because both underwatering and underwatering can help the disease spread.
  • Whip the dew, especially when the humidity is high for days on end (this is beneficial for all fungal lawn diseases).
  • Consider syringing the turf during high heats.
  • Conduct spring and summer topdressing.
  • Wash the mower well after using it on the diseased areas.

Bacterial Diseases of Turfgrass

Here’s something to add to the variety. Besides fungal diseases, turfgrass can also be affected by harmful bacteria.

While similar in appearance, there is one major difference between bacterial and fungal diseases. While fungi can attack otherwise healthy turf if the weather conditions are right, turf bacterial infections occur almost exclusively due to stress and aggressive management practices.

Causes of Lawn Bacterial Disease

Bacteria called Xanthomonas translucens pv. poae causes bacterial wilt in annual bluegrass, while Acidovorax avenae subsp. avenae causes paleness and a general decline in bentgrass.

Because the causes and the symptoms are similar, the two diseases are often described as one. Also, other diseases can occur along with bacterial infection.

The first symptoms are small, yellow spots; soo, thinning of turf begins to show, especially in high-traffic areas. Another characteristic symptom is etiolation – pale-yellowing and elongation of the leaves as if the plant was growing without sunlight. Collapse and death may also occur.

As for the weather conditions, bacterial turf decline usually occurs in high humidity when daytime temperatures are in mid-80s F.

The bacterial turf diseases develop in places of high turf stress – intense grooming, heat and drought, low nitrogen levels, and increased traffic.

Another significant factor is mowing. Mowers can transmit bacteria between different lawn segments, and mowing cuts on the leaves serve as an entry point for the microorganisms.

That is how contaminated mowers can disseminate the disease. Low mowing also contributes to the general susceptibility of the lawn to stress and diseases.

How to Fight Bacterial Wilt

Unfortunately, conventional bacteria-killing treatments don’t exist for this disease. The most you can do in chemical management is to use plant growth regulators (PGRs).

However, it is sort of a gamble because PGRs can make the situation better or worse. The effects depend on many factors such as the active ingredient in question, concentration, and environmental conditions.

On the other hand, management practices can do no damage. Here’s what to do to curb the spread of turf bacteriosis.

  • Mow the lawn only when it’s dry. Wet mowing creates bigger wounds on the blades, and these are ideal for microbes to enter.
  • Increase mowing height and reduce the frequency.
  • Avoid grooming, aeration, and topdressing the lawn when the disease is active.
  • Avoid fertilizers with ammonium sulfate, which can exacerbate etiolation.
  • Don’t walk over the affected areas.
  • If possible, use a different mower for the diseased patches; alternatively, carefully wash and disinfect your standard mower.

Other Lawn Diseases (and What to do About Them)

bare yellow spots in grass

The lawn disease list is really long (and many of them have pretty vivid names). I’ll just name a few: Fairy Ring, Powdery Mildew, Slime Mold, Gray Snow Mold, Pink Snow Mold, Brown Patch, Take All Patch, Summer Patch, Necrotic Ring Spot, and so on.

Although the exact treatment for each may vary, there are several steps that work in stopping all lawn diseases.

If you analyze the previously mentioned management practices, you could draw out the conclusion yourself, but here is the “best-of” list for your convenience.

  • Try to reduce moisture on your lawn; avoid frequent and shallow watering, as well as overhead watering in humid periods of the year (use syringing instead). Whipping, rolling, or poling and can help reduce dew in the morning.
  • Mow as high as practical, and avoid mowing wet lawn.
  • Aerate and dethatch the lawn regularly.
  • Avoid overfertilizing and under-fertilizing turf and make sure it has optimal nutrients.
  • Overseed with disease-resistant cultivars, or opt for an ‘alternative,’ mixed-species lawn.
  • If disease occurs, use only approved fungicidal treatments strictly per instruction; use a different mower for the affected area.
  • Wash your mower diligently, especially if the part of your lawn is affected, as mowers are great disease disseminators.

Conclusion

While different pathogens prefer different hosts (grass species) and variable climatic conditions, the golden rule with all lawn diseases is that prevention is better than the cure.

Using best management practices is the most efficient way to prevent lawn disease.

If the disease does occur, make sure that chemical treatments are also according to the best available techniques, and make sure to get it fast – diseases like Pythium blight can kill a large chunk of your lawn in only a few days.

Do you have any problems with lawn diseases? What was the worst one to strike your turf? How do you manage? Help others by sharing your precious experience in the comments.

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Is There a Safe Alternative to Roundup? Here Are Top 8 Solutions. https://yardthyme.com/weed-and-pest-control/safe-alternative-to-roundup/ Tue, 29 Sep 2026 04:17:56 +0000 https://yardthyme.com/?p=3230 Everyone appreciates a tidy garden that isn’t overgrown with weeds, right?

But I’m sure you’d agree that it’s better to achieve that without the use of harmful chemicals.

So, if you’re wondering whether there is a safe alternative to Roundup, then you’re in the right place!

It is definitely possible to maintain your garden without resorting to harmful chemicals. Keep reading to find out the best alternatives to Roundup and other chemical herbicides.

Key Points

  • Roundup is a harmful mixture of chemicals that is best avoided in your home garden.
  • There are plenty of safe alternatives to Roundup that are effective and very affordable.
  • The best natural alternatives to Roundup include boiling water, salt, vinegar, and borax.
  • Manual removal via hand pulling, a flame weeder, or weed whacker are also great alternatives.
  • If possible, avoid letting weeds grow out of control in the first place by avoiding bare soil and using lots of mulch.

Why Should I Consider an Alternative to Roundup?

There are many reasons to think seriously about finding an alternative to Roundup for your weed control.

The main reasons for concern surround the environmental and human health risks of glyphosate, the active ingredient. The World Health Organization has listed it as a probable human carcinogen while a host of other health risks, including fertility and immunity issues, are suspected.

roundup on wooden table

However, since the entire ingredient list is not disclosed and legally is allowed to be kept a trade secret, scientists have been unable to study what else might be included in the mixture. Some have proposed that the cocktail of chemicals together once the whole solution is considered might actually be more harmful than glyphosate by itself. Scary, right?

Consequences for the environment include impacts on the local ecosystem and its waterways. Studies have found traces of glyphosate in many waterways throughout the United States, including rainwater!

But even if these risks don’t concern you, there are significant ethical issues in supporting a large multi-national corporation that has the power to win almost any legal battle that it’s threatened with through sheer money-power and is therefore rarely held accountable for its actions. Monsanto, now owned by Bayer, is still facing millions of dollars worth of lawsuits in the US.

What are the Best Alternatives to Roundup?

Aside from the organic alternatives that should be available in your local garden store, there are also some DIY options that can be safe and effective.

Hand Pull Regularly

In most parts of your garden, but especially your vegetable garden, the safest and most reliable form of weed control is regular manual removal. If you can stay on top of the weed population by removing weeds as they arrive, while they’re still small and before they establish themselves and spread seeds, then weed management will never be a huge issue for you.

Giving the top inch of soil a quick hoe once per week is enough to dislodge any small weeds that are starting to grow. Often you don’t even need to remove them with this method.

Hands with gloves holding weeds

Boiling Water

Boiling water works really well in places like the edge of a driveway or cracks between paving slabs. Simply pull up what you can and then pour boiling water on the remaining stems.

You can also simply pour boiling water on the leaves of smaller weeds but for bigger weeds, it may not successfully kill the roots if you do this.

If you’re looking for more options for managing weeds on your driveway, I have an article dedicated to that here.

Vinegar

Vinegar, ideally at 20-30% acetic acid concentration, makes for an excellent homemade weed spray. Mix it up in a spray bottle with a little dish soap and a pinch of table salt and then spray on the leaves of the weeds that you want to remove.

Borax

Borax, or sodium borate, is a naturally occurring substance that dissolves in water. Mix about 10 ounces of the powder in 2.5 gallons of water and spray on weeds as required.

Salt

Salt is a highly effective weed killer. It will happily kill all but the most resilient coastal plant species so you will need to be really careful how and where you apply it. It is not good for soil health or for surrounding plants when used in excess.

To make a spray solution, mix 1 part salt with 8 parts warm water and a little cooking oil or dish soap. Spray the leaves of the plant that you want to kill.

Corn Gluten

Corn gluten works as a preventative measure for weeds that haven’t arrived yet, though it doesn’t do anything for weeds that are already established. The application prevents seeds from germinating while not having any effect on surrounding plants. It can be a good option in rock beds or gravel paths.

Flame Weeder

Flame weeding is an excellent chemical-free option for killing weeds while not compromising soil health in any way. You do need to be careful about not hitting any plants that you want to keep alive, but flame weeding is easy and effective and a great option for places like rock beds and pathways.

Weed Eater

trimmering grass in sunlight

Last but not least, another great non-chemical option for weed removal is a trimmer or weed eater. They won’t kill the weeds down to their roots but semi-regular trimming can keep everything under control to the point where a few weeds aren’t really an issue.

Note: Even though these methods are much safer than using Roundup, you still want to protect yourself and be careful not to get the mixtures on your skin or near your eyes, especially with borax and high concentration vinegar.

If you choose to go for the weed eater, you could also be interested in learning more about different types of lawn mowers, that could allow you take care of your lawn in different situations.

A Few Tips for Maximum Effectiveness

Once you decide on the natural Roundup alternative that you want to use, there are still things you can do to maximize its effectiveness.

Hot and Dry Works Best

Choosing a hot day is a good idea, the plant will already be a little stressed from the heat and generally speaking, adding heat to any scenario makes the results more dramatic.

Waiting until the morning dew has dried out and applying your Roundup alternative to dry leaves will also make it more effective. If you’re wondering whether this rule applies to the grass too, I have an article about whether you can spray weed killer on wet grass that will answer all of your questions.

Mix Up Your Approaches

It pays to be flexible in your approach and use a combination of methods depending on your situation. Boiling water and salt is an excellent option for pathways and driveways and places where you don’t want anything to grow.

Meanwhile, manual removal is a better option in vegetable gardens or flower beds, and using a weed whacker or flame weeder is a great choice if you have a large patch of overgrown weeds.

Know Your Weeds

It also helps to know what weeds you’re dealing when deciding how to approach them. Some weeds, like crabgrass, spread underground via their root system so manual removal will not be possible. There are still natural ways to control crabgrass though!

Other weeds you may find yourself facing include dollar weed and Bermuda grass. I have a guide to the 6 most common lawn weeds here if you’re still not sure, and a guide to proven ways to rid your lawn of weeds without chemicals here.

Prevention is Always the Best Solution

Last but not least, preventing weeds from becoming an issue in the first place is always the easiest approach!

There are many things you can do to limit the weed load of your garden.

These include:

  • Avoid bare patches of soil – keep all soil planted with ground cover plants or covered with a thick layer of mulch.
  • Only watering where you want plants to grow – the best way to control where your irrigation ends up is to use soaker hoses instead of sprinklers. Weeds are much less likely to grow on pathways that don’t get much water.
  • Staying on top of the weeding with regular hand pulling while weeds are small and easy to remove.
  • Keep your lawn mowed so that weeds don’t get large enough to produce seeds.

Also, remember that there besides RoundUp there are other types of weed killers that can provide great results.

Summary

Are you relieved to find there are lots of options when choosing a roundup weed killer alternative?

It pays to be flexible in your approach and maybe experiment with different options in different parts of your garden. One safe alternative to Roundup may work better in one situation than another. For example, flame weeding is excellent for rock gardens but not so much in an area of dense vegetation with lots of plants that you want to keep.

What option did you find worked best for your situation? I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments below!

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Zero Turn Mowers Vs Lawn Tractors: Which Gives The Best Lawn? https://yardthyme.com/lawn-care/lawnmowers/zero-turn-mowers-vs-lawn-tractors/ Mon, 28 Sep 2026 23:52:57 +0000 https://yardthyme.com/?p=1137 21st Century, social media world. Imagine someone asking you what you would choose between Facebook and Twitter. That’s a question almost as dumb as the “who do you love more, mom or dad” classic.

The answer to both is, there is no answer. It’s an outdated, useless argument. The same is the case with one of the essential custody battles around town. The minor in question is none other than our yards.

We all want innovation and speed in our everyday life. But whenever we try finding an easy solution that can fix our lawns. We see one inconclusive argument everywhere – Zero Turn Mowers vs. Lawn Tractors.

Look Before You Leap!

Orange lawn tractor in grass

Some are more powerful, others are faster, some are fuel-efficient, and others are not. Tons of things need to be looked up before choosing the best of the two high-quality machines.

Want an honest overview of both machines from every possible angle? Let me be your guide. Let’s not stick to topics like the pros and cons of zero-turn mower and disadvantages of lawn tractors. Let’s take a look at these machines like we’re cranky math teachers trying to find mistakes in a term paper.

Which One Should We Be Investing In?

Let me make it easy, this is like two machines with similar functions, but they are entirely different. If one is a dishwasher, the other is a good old pair of dishwashing soap and ourselves. Different yet a unanimous reminder of responsibilities, we all keep delaying. Both are top-rated in their work. But they have their own signature styles and remarkable performances.

When we talk about lawn tractors, they’re all about power, that extra old school kick in your machine. Built for vast open spaces for one heck of a lawn mowing experience is the perfect way to describe it.

In comparison, zero-turn mowers are all about innovation. Smaller, more comfortable to handle, fuel-efficient, and can also get to places lawn tractors can’t. But let’s not be too biased to forget; “Old is gold.”

Want to see a physical comparison?

The Best Machines With The Best Grass Cutting Results

If we discuss performance, Both ZTMs and lawn tractors are the highest-rated, top quality machines. Yet, there’s a slight difference among their mowing patterns. Almost as different as my siblings and me, but at least we come from the same parents.

P.S. The single parent here is the primary purpose of serving our lawns.

Lawn tractors have a full turn radius while mowing the grass from the other direction. This, unfortunately, leaves patches of uncut grass. (Almost exactly like an unexpected insincere apology leaves pent up feelings behind.)

To solve this problem, the rider has to put the lawn tractor back in reverse. Then comes the help of the forward gear! It assists in getting a clean-cut and even patch of grass.

As they imply from their name, Zero-turn mowers are built for quick and elegant work. All you have to do is hop on a ZTM, and it will clear every single undesirable blade of grass by reversing direction. Talk about an ideal display of best friend duties.

Moreover, zero-turn mowers don’t take much time leaving mowed patches of grass behind. It makes them a better choice in terms of speed and ease as compared to lawn tractors.

ZTRs vs Lawn Tractors: May The Best Machine Win!

No doubt, zero-turn mowers, and lawn mowers are the highest quality options we have available on the market today. But we have to make sure to choose the machine with the best features possible under our needs.

Control Options

Lawn tractors sport steering wheels, which give them the old school muscle machine look. But zero-turn mowers have a two-handle system. With a pedal brake mechanism, it puts an abrupt end to your trim session.

It may be confusing, but with practice, we can make our lawns thank us now!

Best Wheel Control

Lawn tractors are all about power with that four-wheel steering wheel drive; zero turn mowers have a variety of options. It is like a top-rated liver system to steer, brake pedal, and automatic gear mechanism. It makes them the fancier, more innovative, and efficient cousin of the family.

But some users might not be too comfortable with the fanciness of this cousin. They will end up lounging about with the more familiar and easy-to-navigate cousin. Now, let me suggest reading it from the start to guess who the easier-to-navigate cousin might be.

“If We Can’t See It, We Can’t Dodge It”

Before buying, we need to check if it is well designed to make sure we can see all the obstacles when on the beast. Both lawn tractors and zero-turn mowers have wide decks, which makes it difficult to get a clear view. People tend to prefer lawn tractors because of the extra height and a little less wider deck.

Need For Speed

Now, let me tell you about speed. Here, I guarantee you, the zero-turn mowers are the obvious best. They have the most advanced controls and take the shortest time. At 8-16 mph, they give us clean and even cut patches of grass. But lawn tractors are a bit old-fashioned and labor demanding at 3-7 mph.

The best way to find out our personal favorite is by taking care of our yards for once.

Fuel Capacity

No one is addicted to refueling. If you have a big yard, you might want to consider this factor seriously. Lawn tractors have larger fuel tanks but aren’t very fuel-efficient due to higher horsepower production. But ZTRs are more fuel-efficient due to their innovative engines and high-tech body parts.

Maintenance

Lawn tractors are way more cheap and easy to maintain. From oil and filter change to blade replacement. They are the best in easy maintenance and cost-efficiency. ZTR’s, in comparison, have two hydrostatic transmissions. These are at the rear wheels. And let me tell you, this is quite costly to maintain!

And that is our summary of features. Want a detailed idea of the various aspects of our players? Watch this video:

Do Decks Turn The Tables Of Performance For These Machines?

A deck is one of the most vital parts of the two machines in question. The slightest error in its design will not cut the grass properly.

Lawn tractors have higher horsepower with decks ranging from 32″ to 52″. It sometimes makes it difficult to get into smaller places or around trees. That’s why lawn tractors are most suitable for people having vast spaces. That way, the machine will face the least amount of obstacles.

Zero-turn mowers have wider decks ranging from 36″ to 72″. Their top-rated and innovative design makes them more efficient and easy to use. But at a high maintenance cost. They can get into tighter spaces and work with obstacles. All while delivering the best output.

Before choosing any one of the two, we should keep our requirements and yard spaces in mind.

Lawn Tractors vs Zero Turn Mowers On Slopes: What To Prefer?

Steep slopes and moody pets are difficult to control. For slopes, I’m afraid neither of our two soldiers can win this war of lawns. It’s best to keep both away and use a traditional hand pushed mower.

According to various consumer reports., people don’t prefer zero turn mowers for slopes steeper than 15 degrees. Most of the said users gave the reason that even with seatbelts or roll bars. Zero-turn mowers get imbalanced, resulting in loss of control. It is considered one of the significant disadvantages of zero-turn mowers.

People do tend to prefer lawn tractors in comparison. But despite being the fancier cousins of the hand mower, they’re not that reliable either. Incidents have been reported of lawn tractors on slopes flipping in all directions.

I, for one, am not interested in falling victim to a lawn mower committing suicide. So to summarise, if you have a steep lawn, don’t end up discovering how steep the wrong way is. But do discover your garden!

Summary

Lawn tractors and Zero-turn mowers are the best-rated players of these neat yard games. Both machines have their pros and cons. But the answer to what’s best for us relies on our individual and unique needs and resources.

Let us get an accurate idea of both the machines and our lawns and get trimming!

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Mowing Wet Grass – Essential Tips if You Absolutely Must Cut Your Lawn https://yardthyme.com/lawn-care/mowing-wet-grass/ Mon, 28 Sep 2026 19:50:11 +0000 https://yardthyme.com/?p=2168 Let’s get one thing straight at the beginning.

You should always try to avoid mowing a wet lawn.

However, in reality, we all know there are moments in which cutting wet grass is unavoidable.

Instead of being able to wait for perfect conditions, most of us live lives that follow a tight schedule.

And sometimes the weather is not that schedule’s friend.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at some tried and tested tips and tricks for mowing wet grass. How to do it safely, how to do it effectively, and how not to damage your turf in the process.

Should You Mow Wet Grass?

Mowing a wet lawn is not ideal, and it’s always best to allow the ground to dry out before firing up the mower.

There are several reasons why you want to avoid mowing moist grass unless there is no other option.

wet green grass at daytime

Safety

Your first concern when it comes to cutting wet grass is your personal safety.

Operating any type of lawnmower can be hazardous at the best of times, but in wet conditions, you’re seriously increasing the risk of injury.

Wet grass can be incredibly slippy, and there are already plenty of annual lawnmower-related accidents as it is. Adding a lethal spinning blade to already tricky conditions can be a recipe for disaster.

If you’re using a ride-on mower, it also might slip, skid, or possibly even tip – especially if you’re negotiating hills and slopes in your yard.

It might help if you’re using one of these special riding lawnmowers for rough terrain – but even then it’s still more dangerous than if the grass was bone dry.

And electric mowers should never be used in wet conditions – under any circumstances.

Mixing electricity and water is always a safety hazard – especially when you have your feet on the wet ground.

The Quality of the Cut

From an aesthetic point of view, the most significant problem with mowing right after it rains is the unsightly result. The cut may not be as clean and uniform as you would like it to be. This happens for a few reasons.

Water-saturated grass can end up unevenly distributed because the water weighs down on some blades more than on others. As a consequence, these blades – especially the taller ones – will bend.

This can result in them escaping the clutches of the lawnmower, and the machine is only able to cut the grass that manages to stay straight.

Also, because of water’s surface tension properties, wet grass blades tend to stick and clump together.

This makes it difficult to achieve an even cut, and when the mower goes over grass in this condition, you can expect an uneven, patchy, and unsightly finish.

Additionally, the soaked ground is much more prone to damage from the mower’s wheels and blades – and that means lawn ruts, damage to root systems, and lasting problems with the overall structure of the lawn.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Since the moisture makes grass clump together in a thick, gooey mess, you can’t simply mulch the clippings, or allow them to blow away and disperse naturally.

You will have to manually remove them from the lawn to avoid mold and uneven growth resulting from parts of the surface being covered with sodden grass clumps.

Besides giving you a tough time on the lawn itself, the clumps will also cause mechanical issues with the mower as they can seriously clog your machine.

Mowing wet grass can take two or even three times as long as you’re always stopping and starting to clear the rotor blades and bagging chute.

And having to repeatedly put your hands near the mower’s blade to pull out this grass-cutting ‘dough’ is an obvious safety hazard.

Furthermore – when you’re all done, make sure you clean your mower thoroughly. Flush the washout port, and don’t allow wet grass to build up as mold will cause damage to your machine.

wheel of a lawnmower after mowing wet grass

How to Mow Wet Grass

All that said, we all know there are moments in which cutting wet grass is unavoidable. C’est la vie, as the French say.

Your region might have had rain for days on end, and the only time you’ve set aside for mowing is plagued with a monsoon.

Additionally, if you live in a humid area with prolonged rain spells – the more the rain falls, the faster the grass grows; and the taller the grass gets, the harder it is to cut.

It is one vicious green cycle.

When faced with this problem, many questions arise. What happens when you mow a wet lawn? Is there a way to move a wet lawn without trouble? Can I safely mow wet grass?

Thankfully, there are a few techniques you can employ to avoid or minimize the damage and get a better overall result. Here are your seven steps to mowing heaven (or at least to stay out of mowing hell).

Step One – Evaluate the Conditions

How soon after it rains can you mow the lawn? How do you know if the grass is too wet for mowing?

Obviously, it’s best if you don’t whip out the lawnmower the second the last drop has fallen.

Take a stroll onto your lawn. If you find yourself in a quagmire and your feet are soaking wet – go back inside, make yourself a hot beverage, and put your feet up.

The morning dew will also cause you problems, so try to avoid getting out there too early.

If it rains in the morning or before noon and the rest of the day is dry and warm, you can safely mow in the late afternoon. If you have to, always try to mow during the warmest part of the day.

The lawn will generally keep the moisture through the night, so if you get late afternoon rain, postpone the mowing for about 20 to 24 hours instead of doing it in the morning.

Keep an eye on the weather forecast, and do your best to aim for optimum conditions.

And although it might be raining now, the blazing sun will surely be on the way, so take a look at this article on how to keep your lawn healthy and green in the summer heat.

walk behind push lawnmower standing in a garden

Step Two – Sharpen Those Blades

A mower with an extra sharp blade produces neat clean cuts, which is very important both for the look and health of your lawn.

While this is important at any time, it is critical for mowing in wet weather because mowers tend to shred and chew the wet blades rather than slicing them.

Razor-sharp blades will “cut” down your work time, and offer the best chance of getting a clean finish in challenging conditions.

Try using one of these excellent lawnmower blade sharpeners, or if you think you need a new tool altogether, check out this review on the best lawnmower blades.

Step Three – Use the Right Gear

In order to minimize the risks of slips and falls as much as possible, you should wear a pair of work boots with a grippy lug for extra traction in the wet.

Heavy-duty footwear will also keep your feet protected in case of an accident. Whatever you do, don’t wear open-toed shoes or sandals. That’s just asking for trouble.

Make sure you are using a pair of quality gloves to maintain a firm grip on the mower, and use a putty knife or other tool to help you clean and unclog the system when the grass gets backed up.

Step Four – Raise the Mower Deck

A good way to minimize damage when mowing a wet lawn is to raise your mower’s deck.

If the blade is set low and the soil is wet, you risk damaging the roots and literally stripping away parts of your lawn – especially if the ground is uneven.

You may end up tilling your lawn instead of mowing it. Chunks and divots can be hard to repair.

Also, if you set the deck low, achieving a clean cut can be challenging, and your mower may end up shredding rather than cutting the grass.

Many homeowners set their mowers too low anyway – in an attempt to get the job done faster, or so they increase the time between necessary cuts.

According to the latest lawn science (lawn care is actually studied in universities), the ideal height of the cut is 2 to 3.75 inches. This way, the turf will remain lush and resilient enough to withstand foot traffic, downpours, drought – and even wet mowing.

Step Five – Go Slow in Multiple Directions

The best way to mow wet grass is to do it slowly. Take your time, be sure of your footing, and keep a steady pace.

This will help minimize the mower undercarriage from getting clogged, as well as allowing those nice, sharp blades plenty of chance to slice and dice.

And don’t stick to simply going back and forth in your usual pattern. In order to make sure you cut every blade, mix up your directions to be extra thorough.

It’s not rocket science – slow and steady wins the race.

Step Six – Clean with Care

You’re going to be stopping and starting regularly in order to clean out your mowers system, the deck and the blade, so you might as well get used to it.

Make sure you do it often, and try not to allow the machine to get too gummed up in between cleans.

And I must stress that you should always – ALWAYS – do so with the lawnmower completely shut off. Don’t even try to save time by cleaning the mower with the engine running.

If there’s a starter key – remove it, and wait until it’s come to a complete stop before attempting anything.

Clean with an appropriate tool, rather than your hands. Mowers can still hold a bit of energy even when switched off, and a sudden turn of the blade can easily occur.

man cleaning walk behind lawn mower blade

Step Seven – Mow More Frequently

If you allow the grass to get real tall, it will be harder to mow neatly, especially if it is wet. Particularly long, damp grass blades will be a lawnmower’s worst nightmare.

The general rule for achieving neat cuts is to always cut the grass by one third. That usually means mowing once a week.

However, if you’re expecting a rainy period, the grass will grow quickly, and you may have to move to a twice-per-week schedule to keep up with it. Otherwise, you’ll be breaking the one-third rule.

The mower will cope a lot better with grass that is not overgrown, and you will be much more satisfied with the result. In short, it is worth the extra effort.

Extra Tips

Try adding a non-stick lubricant spray to the underside of your mower and blade – which just might help keep the grass from bunging up the system.

Some gardeners recommend trying to “wipe off” as much water as possible from the lawn. This can be done by dragging a hose across the turf, or even using a large, flat floor mop if you have one.

If you’re particularly concerned with the appearance, this article will show you how to stripe a lawn like a pro.

Check out the video below for some more advice for mowing a wet lawn.

Alternatively, you could always remove the grass and turn your yard into a produce garden instead. If that sounds like something you’d like to try, you’ll need a quality tiller to get you started.

What is the Best Lawnmower for Cutting Wet Grass?

Not all machines are equally suitable for wet mowing, and you can check out this link for different types of lawnmowers, complete with their advantages and disadvantages.

Because of the safety issues associated with tractor and zero-turn mowers, the best option is to use a walk-behind mower for wet grass.

If you are lucky enough to have the land that demands a ride-on mower, then you need to take extra care when mowing in the wet. It’s highly advisable you don’t mow the lawn at all.

But if you have no other options but to use a tractor mower, take things easy. If there is an incline, make sure you are always traveling (and mowing), uphill or downhill, and never side to side.

Battery-powered options are only good if the battery compartment is water-tight by design.

The safest bet for damp conditions is the good ole’ gas mower – but make sure you only use enough fuel for the job, and check and replace the filters if required.

If you have a smaller yard, try using a push mower, and you can find some good examples in this review of the best budget-friendly lawnmowers.

Whatever you do, make sure you steer clear of corded electric models, and wait for a drier day if that’s the only option you have.

Summary

Mowing wet grass is best avoided if it can be helped, but sometimes that’s just not possible.

But by following a few rules, taking things easy, and with care, you should be able to get the job done if you have no other choice.

Let me know if you have any tips for cutting the grass in tricky conditions.

Stay safe, folks – and happy mowing!

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