Mower for tall weeds. How to Cut Tall Grass in 5 Easy Steps

How to Cut Tall Grass in 5 Easy Steps?

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Tall grass growth in lawns doesn’t just affect the overall appearance of your home, but grows seeds and reseeds itself and encourages all types of plant life to set up shop.

Allowing your grass to grow tall due to non-maintenance and neglect creates clumps and patchy areas in your yard.

In worse cases, very tall grass can provide the right conditions for weeds to germinate. What’s even worse is that tall grass isn’t easy to cut even with the best lawn mowers, and not as easy as pushing your lawn mower across the lawn.

But it’s not impossible to cut tall grass either and I’ve listed 5 easy steps to make this task of cutting overgrown grass a whole lot easier including with tools such as a sickle.

Further down in this article, I’ve also highlighted how to use a lawnmower properly to cut tall grass without causing damage to the tool, and tips on preventing grass from growing out of control and maintaining a healthy lawn.

But what if you don’t have a lawnmower? Read on to find out 5 creative ways to cut tall grass without a lawnmower.

Why Cutting Tall Grass Can Be a Challenge?

Cutting tall grass can be a challenge because mowers aren’t designed to cut tall rough grass. Doing so can damage the mower engine and needless to say will require extra effort in pushing a mower across overgrown grass.

Tall grass mowing can be regarded as cutting grass more than half its length. The general rule of thumb is to never cut grass more than one-third of its height.

If you do, it can be detrimental to grass sward health and can promote the onset of pests, weeds, and moss.

But things happen such as when a homeowner goes on a vacation for more than two weeks and comes back and makes the mistake of mowing the lawn the same height as before.

This leads to lawn stress and the grass will take longer to recover. The right way to deal with overgrown grass is to take a look at the grass and cut no more than 1/3 of the top.

Depending on how tall the grass has grown:

• Trim the top of the grass with a weed whacker or scythe,
• Let the grass heal for a few days, and then
• Cut the grass with a mower.

Once you’ve got the grass under control, apply a pre-emergent and fertilizer to ensure your lawn is in good health. Adding to this, maintain a lawn care schedule that includes mowing, and applying fertilizer and herbicides at the right time.

Tips for Cutting Tall Grass

With a Lawn Mower

• Start by cutting the top of the grass with a weed whacker or scythe
• Water the grass and let it recover in roughly a week
• Cut one-third of the grass again and wait for a few more days
• You can perform the final cut with a lawnmower

Without a Lawn Mower

• There are several tools available to cut tall grass without a mower
• Use a string trimmer, shears, or scythe to remove the top one-third of the grass
• Water the grass and let it recover for a few days
• Once the grass is dry, repeat the process but cut only one-third of the grass each time

How to Tackle an Overgrown Lawn?

There are a few things to do before cutting tall grass, and it’s important to follow these basic steps to prevent injury to yourself and damage to the tools including the common hand tools you’ll be using.

Sharpen Mower Blades and Sickle Blade

I can’t stress this enough but mowing with dull lawnmower blades whether with a gas-powered, electric lawnmower, push mower or a robotic lawnmower can make the turf more susceptible to disease.

First, check if your mower blades need to be sharpened by looking for:

• Dents and nicks in the blades
• Brown, frayed grass edges
• Grass blades appear torn instead of sliced
• Uneven grass height after cutting

How to Sharpen Lawnmower Blades: Step-by-Step

• Remove the blade from the mower and set it aside
• Put on safety gloves, safety glasses, and ear protection
• Clamp the mower blade on a worktable and check whether it’s best to sharpen the blade or replace it
• Sharpen the lawnmower blade with a 10-inch file or grindstone by starting from the top side of the cutting edge
• Turn the blade over and repeat the process

Wear Protective Clothing

You’re probably used to dressing casually when mowing your lawn. While this type of attire is extremely comfortable, you should wear a long-sleeve shirt, and eye and ear protection to protect yourself from objects that may be thrown from the lawnmower.

Remove Rocks and Debris from the Lawn

Although it may be hard to see rocks and debris through tall grass, it’s a good idea to dig a bit deeper and remove any rocks, branches, and debris. If not removed, these hard objects can fly at you and/or may cause damage to your mower.

Keep Children and Pets Away

Children and pets can be distracting when mowing your lawn. Further, mowing your lawn can also cause injury to children and pets so make sure they stay indoors.

Take a Break

Cutting overgrown grass in the early spring or late spring is a daunting task that requires considerable effort. Take a breather if you’re feeling exhausted because you don’t want to overwork yourself.

Best Tools for Cutting Tall Grass

You will need a few tools to cut tall grass even if you have a mower: I’ve listed them below.

• Blade or string trimmer – you should aim to buy a powerful blade trimmer to cut tall grass. A good example is the Black Decker string trimmer.
• Automatic Feed Spool (AFS) technology of the edger/trimmer eliminates bumping for hassle-free line feeding that helps you work without interruptions
• The 6.5 amp motor and POWERDRIVE Transmission of the grass cutter provide maximum performance when trimming through the toughest weeds, grass, and overgrowth
• 2-in-1 trimmer/edger with wheeled edge guide. just rotate to convert from lawn trimmer to wheeled edger

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The Black Decker string trimmer features Automatic Feed Spool technology that provides hassle-free line feeding with no bumping.

In terms of power, the Black Decker string trimmer doesn’t disappoint with its 6.5 amp motor coupled with a POWERDRIVE transmission.

• Lawnmower – You probably already own a powered lawnmower so I’m not going to tell you to buy a new one to cut tall grass. Just make sure the blades are sharp to achieve a clean and crisp cut.

However, cutting tall grass can clog a powered lawnmower, so it’s best to use a reel mower, string trimmer, or scythe first to trim tall grass.

A reel mower works differently than other types of mowers. The blades of reel mowers spin vertically and perform a scissoring action when cutting grass.

The American Lawn Mower reel mower can handle grass as high as 3/4 inches. It features 5 tempered alloy steel blades and offers a wide 18-inch cutting width.

• Bundle includes (1) 1815-18 18-inch reel lawn mower and (1) SK-1 reel mower sharpening kit
• Reel mower: 5-Blade reel with a cutting width of 18” and durable 10” polymer wheels for maximum maneuverability
• Mechanical lawn mower with an adjustable blade height of 0.5”-2.5” with scissor action cut

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• Sickle – A sickle like the Zenport model is designed for heavy-duty cutting and comes with a 9″ razor-sharp blade.
• Shears – The HEMOPLT shears are perhaps the best shears available to cut tall grass owing to its ultra-sharp blades and ergonomic design.
• Rake – you will need a rake to clean up the grass clippings. I usually leave grass clippings on the lawn because they are a good source of nutrients.

How to Cut Tall Grass With a Lawnmower – Step by Step?

Even though you may be eager to cut tall grass in a single pass, it’s not the right approach because you can cause damage to your lawnmower and perhaps not achieve an even cut.

The best time to cut tall grass is when it’s dry. Moisture and morning dew puts pressure on the stalk of wet grass and tends to bend it, which makes a straight cut challenging.

But since you’ve let your lawn grow excessively tall, the grass clippings may be in thick clumps and matted down.

Step 1: Load the weed eater with a strong 0.080 or 0.95 trimmer line and start cutting a fraction (one-third) of the tall grass. Alternatively, you can also use a scythe or shears to remove the top layer of grass.

Don’t put the trimmer, scythe, or trimmer back just yet because you will have to cut the tall grass again a couple of days after.

Step 2: Water your lawn, and leave it for a week, after which trim the grass to less than 6 inches.

Step 3: After the second cut, use your lawnmower but be sure not to take off too much. Just aim for one-third every time you cut to avoid stressing out the grass. You may have to set the lawnmower to its highest setting to achieve this.

Step 4: Don’t be surprised if your lawn looks awful after the second cut, which in most cases is only when your lawn is extremely overgrown.

Step 5: Now that you’ve cleaned out the worse bits of the overgrown lawn, reseed any bare patches with new grass seed, and apply fertilizer if you think it’s necessary.

Wait for the lawn to reach a height one-third higher than the standard mowing height before regular mowing.

How to Cut Grass with a Riding Mower – Step by Step?

• Do not cut tall grass with a riding mower when it’s wet
• Clear the area of rocks and debris
• Use a string trimmer or shears to cut the grass to a safe height
• Adjust the blade height of the riding mower
• Avoid cutting your entire lawn in one go – give your riding mower and yourself a break

How to Cut Tall Grass with a Reel Mower – Step by Step?

A reel mower is an eco-friendly way of cutting tall grass, and the best part is that you don’t have to worry about damaging the mower engine because there isn’t one!

Before cutting tall grass with a reel mower, it’s a good idea to understand how a reel mower works. Reel mower manufacturers have given their products a facelift, and today’s this range of mowers comes with sharper blades and a few other bells and whistles.

One of the noteworthy differences between a reel mower and gas and electric mowers is that the former is fitted with blades that spin in a vertical plane and the latter comes with a rotary blade with a relatively sharp edge.

Therefore, the blade of a reel mower “snips” the tall grass just like scissors. Adding to this, reel mowers are equipped with adjustable wheels, which allow you to adjust the cutting height.

On the downside, reel mowers aren’t built to handle grass taller than 4 inches and taller blades of grass can get caught up in the blades.

To cut grass taller than 4 inches with a reel mower:

• Use a string trimmer to cut the grass to a more manageable height
• Make sure the blades of the reel mower are sharp and set the blades to the highest height setting
• Clear any debris from the lawn
• Walk a full pass with the reel mower down until the end of your lawn and return on the same path
• Water your lawn and apply fertilizer and herbicides if needed

How to Cut Tall Grass Without a Lawnmower?

Now let’s say your lawnmower stops working or you’d like to avoid the risk of damaging the tool by cutting tall grass.

Well, the good news is that there are several creative ways of cutting tall grass without a mower. However, you will have to break a sweat if you’re cutting grass without a mower.

How to Cut Long Grass by Hand?

You can’t cut extremely long grass by hand but will need a tool for the job such as a scythe, shears, or sickle.

Check out this video on how to cut grass by hand by Spencer Lawn Care:

How to Cut Tall Grass with Shears

Shears are available in different sizes but you’ll need the biggest size available to cut tall grass. They are similar in design to giant scissors and can be held with both hands.

You can use shears while standing but you’ll need to bend a bit to cut tall grass. I suggest placing knee pads on the ground and kneeling on them to cut tall grass. In this way, you won’t put a strain on your back and feet.

How to Cut Tall Grass with a Sickle

A sickle is a smaller version of a scythe and you can use this tool in a similar manner as a scythe to cut tall grass. Make sure the grass is dry before using a sickle to cut grass with a single pass.

How to Cut Tall Grass with a Hedge Trimmer

A hedge trimmer is in a similar vein to a string trimmer but works a bit differently. This gardening tool is typically used to cut down large swaths of bushes and shrubbery and is quite effective at cutting tall grass.

Achieving an even cut with a hedge trimmer does require some level of skill, but you can simply swing the tool widely if you’re not too concerned about the quality of the cut.

You have to be careful when using a hedge trimmer because there are several horror stories of people slicing through extension cords or worse.

The Black Decker is a great hedge trimmer for cutting long grass and features a 24″ dual-action blade. It also comes with a high-performance battery and an ergonomic non-slip handle

How to Cut Tall Grass with Goats

Believe it or not, there are many people who don’t mow their lawns but seek help from a friendly farm animal instead.

However, you won’t see much of this in city areas but is common in rural areas, particularly in farms. Goats obviously won’t provide an even cut but can help eliminate tall grass without any effort from you.

How to Cut Tall Grass with a Weed Eater or Strimmer?

Another pitfall of using a lawnmower to cut tall grass is the machine’s large size. And cutting tall grass with a lawn mower means that you’ll have to empty the bag often, for which a string trimmer proves handy.

Electric string trimmers are handy and powerful tools that are also easy to store. They may not provide you with a perfect even cut but can help you get as close to the grass height you desire.

Before using a string trimmer, ensure the grass is completely dry, and avoid cutting grass if it has rained recently. Get a good grip on the trimmer and start cutting the top of the grass in side-to-side motion and make your way down.

Cutting grass with a string trimmer does take longer than a lawnmower, and your grass clippings will be all over the place instead of in a lawnmower collection bag.

Cutting grass with a string trimmer does require a bit of practice and it’s mostly all about hand-eye coordination to get it right.

• Scour the area to see if there’s anything that needs clearing.
• Wear hand and eye protection and check if the trimmer line is in good working order.
• Fire up the trimmer and hold it correctly, which will also make it more comfortable to use.
• Go around the top edges first and then the entire border of the lawn.
• Remember, you can’t cut grass quickly with a string trimmer if you want the grass to look presentable afterward.
• Walk up and down your lawn with the string trimmer until you’ve cut the entire lawn, and clean up the grass clippings.
• Lastly, use a lawnmower to get an even cut.

What to Do After Cutting Tall Grass?

There are a few things to do after cutting tall grass, starting with collecting the grass clippings. You can either bag the grass clippings or return them to the lawn, but the latter isn’t recommended.

Grass clippings that measure an inch or less in length can be left on the lawn, but any longer should be removed as they may shade or smother the grass underneath and cause lawn damage.

Weedeater Trying to Cut Really Thick Weeds

Overgrown grass also means that you’ve not fertilized your lawn for a while so this is a good time to apply a nitrogen-rich fertilizer.

Before applying fertilizer, perform a soil test to see if your soil is lacking essential nutrients for healthy grass growth. You can either take soil samples and send them to a lab or buy a soil test kit and perform the test at home.

Once you get the results, you’ll be able to determine if your soil is deficient in certain nutrients and buy an appropriate fertilizer.

Overgrown Grass Cutting Service

Given that cutting an overgrown lawn can be challenging, you can commission commercial services to get the job done.

However, it’s worth mentioning that professional services will probably charge you more than their regular rate to cut an overgrown lawn since there’s more work involved.

The rate will vary depending on the area you live in, but the high end is 500 for a sprawling overgrown lawn.

If you want to save on these high costs, use a string trimmer or shears to cut the overgrown grass and have a professional lawn mowing company take care of the rest.

You can even seek help from your neighborhood kids, who’d be more than happy to complete the task at a fraction of the cost of what a professional company would charge.

Prevention Proper Maintenance – Proper Maintenance is Important After Mowing Tall Grass

As the saying goes “prevention is better than cure” and sticking to a mowing schedule is the key to preventing your grass from growing out of control.

When cutting grass, always follow the one-third rule, which entails cutting no more than one-third of the grass blade and keeping the grass height at the recommended level for your grass type.

Apart from mowing your lawn in a timely manner, it’s important to edge the turf because straggly grass edges can give even the healthiest lawn a poor appearance.

FAQs

Q. Can Electric Mowers Cut Tall Grass?

A. Cutting tall grass puts extra pressure on an electric mower, which can wear out its engine and damage the motor. You can use an electric mower to cut tall grass, but it’s best to trim the grass first with a string trimmer or scythe before running the mower on your lawn.

Q. Can a Reel Mower Cut Tall Grass?

A. Grass is considered tall if it’s higher than 4 inches. Reel mowers are perfectly suited to cut tall grass as long as the blades are sharp and you’ve set the mower blades to the maximum height.

Q. How to Cut 3FT Tall Grass?

A. 3ft tall grass is regarded as extremely overgrown grass, for which you’ll have to put tin the effort of trimming the grass first with a string trimmer, shears, or scythe before mowing the lawn with a lawnmower for an even cut.3ft tall grass also implies that the lawn has been neglected for a while, so you’ll have to perform a soil test to replenish any nutrient deficiencies.

Q. Do You Cut Tall Grass in Fall?

A. Many homeowners prefer to cut tall grass in the fall but it’s often not a good idea as the tall foliage helps insulate the crown of the plants. Instead, wait until late winter or early winter to cut tall grass.

Q. What Happens to Grass if We Don’t Cut It?

A. Many things, starting with the grass clippings clumping up over the turf, which blocks sunlight and causes stunted growth.Adding to this, a well-manicured lawn often is a healthy lawn and an unhealthy lawn can be an inviting ground for pests and weeds.

Final Thoughts

If you let your grass grow wild, you may get a friendly reminder from the city to mow your lawn. And needless to say that most lawn care companies will charge a premium price to get your lawn back into shape by mowing tall grass if the long grass is over 10 inches in height.

Do Straight Lines Matter When Mowing?

Overgrown grass isn’t just a blight on your neighborhood but also serves as a welcoming ground for bugs, insects, and snakes.

For overgrown grass, trim the top of the grass blades using a string trimmer, scythe, or shears, and mow the lawn to an appropriate grass height.

Hi, Alex Kuritz here. Growing up I remember that my family had one of the best lawns in the neighborhood. Richly green and lush. I did a lot as I grew up in terms of caring and tending for not only my family’s lawn but also my neighbors. I can say I have years of experience, and I am here to share it with you.

How To Cut Tall Grass With A Riding Mower

Are you fed up with your overgrown grass wreaking havoc on your garden? Then it’s time to learn how to use a riding mower to cut grass.

While you may believe that cutting long grass is the same as cutting any other lawn, you are mistaken. Long grass is a challenge as you get much more mulch and debris that can easily choke your riding mower.

Luckily, you can use techniques to cut tall grass with a riding mower that won’t break it or clog it, so it needs cleaning.

In our guide, you can learn all about how to mow tall grass with a riding mower. By the end, you’ll know all there is about how to keep any area of your garden clear when mowing overgrown grass with a riding mower. (Find the Best Riding Snow Blower)

How to Cut Tall Grass With a Riding Mower

It might be a daunting task to maintain a yard that has become overgrown with thick grass. Thick clumps of grass might resemble impenetrable jungle vegetation, and your lack of lawn care conceals a variety of hazards.

A well-maintained yard adds value to your home, and you can get fantastic results every time you’re cutting grass using the right approach.

Here are the step-by-step guides and other suggestions for the mowing process when dealing with taller grass than usual. (Find the Best Riding Lawn Mower For The Money)

Pick the Right Time

When it’s damp, don’t mow tall grass. You’ll find most overgrown grass moist, making the task harder for your mower.

Wet grass adds to this and makes the job troublesome in most areas and poses a dangerous mowing environment since riding mowers can lose traction on wet grass.

Mow long grass on a dry day in the spring, summer, or early autumn. The grass can safely recover from the shock of being cut. The best time is spring before the grass starts to grow, and you can easily carry out step two.

Clear The Mowing Area of Hazards

Just because you have a riding mower, it doesn’t mean there isn’t any preparation. Tallgrass can hide hidden dangers, so before you mow, take a quick tour around the area to check for stones, branches, and other debris among the grass.

If possible, remove any hazards you find since trying to mow over could damage your mower. If there are hazards too large to move, mark these with a stake and some flagging tape.

Before you start mowing, remove overgrown grass using a string trimmer or weed eater. Riding mowers can cut grass up to 8 inches tall, and cutting grass over this height is wasteful, laborious work, and puts a strain on your mower.

If the grass is taller than 8 inches, cut it roughly to 6–8 inches using your weed whacker, so it is suitable for your riding mower to deal with. If you have a zero-turn mower, you can often find they only deal with grass up to 6-inches rather than 8.

Adjust Mower Blade Height

Set the blade height on your riding mower to the highest setting before you start mowing overgrown grass.

Do this, and you can improve the cutting speed and quality of the mowing process and protect the grass. Cutting tall grass too short leads to the grass being severely weakened, or it could die. After this, wait for 3–5 days before mowing using a lower blade height should the highest blade height leave your grass longer than you want it. (Read Single Stage Vs Two Stage Snow Blowers)

Set Your Mower Speed

Mowing tall grass gradually is the key to success. Set the speed of your riding mower to a moderate strolling pace. Although it may feel you’re crawling, the result will be more even and tidy.

In the end, this saves time. When you mow tall grass too quickly, you’ll get a rough cut with a lot of long grass blades left over, which means you’ll have to mow the same area multiple times.

Cut Grass at Half Blade Width

Tall grass grows in thick, wet clumps that are tough to mow with your riding mower. After your initial circle, mow halfway through the tall grass and halfway through the previously mowed area to provide a clean cut without overworking your mower.

It takes longer, but you get better results, and it also means your mower won’t grind to a halt every few feet as it’s overloaded.

Reverse Mowing Circuit

If you mow tall grass with a riding mower in a circuit that blows cut grass to the inside, you’ll end up with clumps of long, cut grass stacking up in places you haven’t mowed yet.

Mowing over cut grass clumps and long grass is time-consuming, delivers poor results, and may need repeat mowing. To avoid buildup, periodically reverse your circuit path and blowing cut grass to where you have already mowed. (Find the Best Riding Mower For Hills)

Rest Your Mower

A riding mower has a tough time cutting tall grass. Turn off your mower completely every 30–45 minutes and inspect it. What to watch for are?

• Make sure the parking brake is on.
• Check your mower’s fuel level.
• Examine the blades. To avoid damage to the mower blade spindle, clean off any dead grass or debris like garbage bags using a utility knife.
• Remove any accumulated grass clippings and debris from radiator fins, engine components, and wiring.
• Let your mower cool down for 15 minutes since riding mowers are under a lot of strain, and riding mowers tend to overheat when used to cut tall grasses.

How to Cut Tall Grass with a Riding Mower Tips

Here are a few things to consider when dealing with an overgrown lawn using a riding lawnmower.

Empty Bag and Check Area

• Some riding mowers can use a grass bag to collect cuttings from the lawn mower. Empty it once you’ve mowed the entire area.
• Check your grass is evenly cut. You may need to take a slow pass with your mower again over your overgrown lawn if there are still uncut areas.
• Take your grass bag and empty it away from the mowing area. Check blades are clear of dead grass.
• If you need to cut your lawn lower to reach the desired length, let your grass rest for 24 to 48 hours. (Read About The Right Oil For Riding Mower)

Mow Again

• After slow-mowing the top layer of your lawn, you may be satisfied, but if not, you can cut long grass again.
• Check the blade before you begin, as they need to be clear to cut correctly.
• Once you let your grass rest and recover from your previous mowing session, rather than placing the mower deck at the highest position, lower it to the desired height.
• Start mowing, but you don’t need to worry as much about excess grass debris clogging up your mower this time.
• Now, you should have leveled grass from knowing how to cut tall overgrown grass with a riding mower.

Take It Slow

• The biggest mistakes most people make when mowing tall grass or an overgrown lawn is trying to cut it down to the desired height using the first pass.
• Most lawn mowers have their highest setting, and if your grass is still too long after one pass, you can use your weed wacker to cut the top layer of lawn down before using your lawn mower.
• After using your mower on the highest setting, make your first pass and reduce the grass height.
• Wait for the recommended time after you’ve made your first pass. It’s time for the second pass once you’ve reduced grass height to a manageable height.
• Take your time and clear out the blades while cutting; otherwise, your mower won’t cut correctly.
• Leave the lawn for a few days to help it recover.
• If you have a more extensive lawn, it can be much easier to use a leaf blower, in the long run, to help you clear up grass cuttings, small stones, and weeds.
• Depending on the size of your lawn, cleaning it could take all day, so postpone it until the next day, and you can have your final thoughts on your cut grass.

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Manual Lawn Mowers: Can They Cut Tall Grass?

With the introduction of manual lawn mowers, companies have adopted a more eco-friendly way of cutting grass other than using electric lawnmowers.

Not all manual lawn mowers are made equally since some of them are able to be adjusted to cut the varying lengths of grass. Manual mowers are great tools to use if you want an eco-friendly way of cutting the grass and your lawn size is less than 1/2 acre.

Manual lawn mowers can cut tall grass. Tall grass is more difficult to cut with a manual mower than short grass. Having sharp lubricated blades on an adjustable blade height manual mower can assist with making cutting tall grass mowers manageable.

It is important that you understand what a manual lawn mower, also known as a reel mower, does and how it works before attempting to use it to cut tall grass.

A manual mower will not work as quickly or as efficiently as its electric and gas counterparts and will take more physical work by the operator. Read on to learn about manual lawn mowers and how they function in tall grass.

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Follow all safety instructions provided in your equipment operator’s manual before diagnosing, repairing, or operating. Consult a professional if you don’t have the skills, or knowledge or are not in the condition to perform the repair safely.

Manual Lawn Mower Functionality

Everyone knows that electric and gas-powered lawn mowers are more effective in cutting grass than manual lawn mowers.

If you are someone who likes to do things manually, you don’t have a large yard size and you are a friend of the environment, then these types of mowers can benefit you. Some benefits of manual mowers:

• Easy to use
• No need for a charger or cords for you to mow your grass
• They do not burn fuel or make noise

Compared to their electric and gas counterparts, the blades of manual lawn mowers do not work with a motor. Manual mower blades are activated as you push the lawn mower. The grass is pulled into the bed knife as you move which cuts the grass with scissor-like blades.

Having manual lawn mowers can help you have more control over how you want your lawn mowed. Because manual mowers have no motor, they are lighter and easier to maneuver than your traditional electric or gas lawn mowers.

They produce no sound and they produce no emissions which make the process of mowing your lawn more comfortable.

The only drawback that can be found in using manual lawn mowers is that they are, in fact, manual, which makes them less convenient. You have to push them for them to work.

There is nothing assisting you in operating the mower so cutting tall grass can become pretty labor-intensive. You need to consider your physical health and capability when choosing a manual mower.

A benefit to manual mowers is their parts are much cheaper to replace than their gas or electric counterparts. There are still a variety of things that you need to make sure your lawn mower has before trying to use it in tall grass.

How to Cut Tall Grass Manually

Manual lawn mowers can cut tall grass, however, do not expect every type of lawn mower to be able to cut tall grass. You will need to check the characteristics of your model lawn mower before attempting to cut your tall grass.

If you fail to do so, you may end up causing damage to your lawn mower and your grass since it will not be cut properly.

There are some aspects that you need to make sure your model of lawn mower can perform to prevent any mistake from happening whether it will be a technical problem or an issue with how your lawn is mowed.

• Check to see if the blade height is adjustable and how tall they can be placed.
• Make sure that the blades are sharp before cutting.
• Examine the blades to ensure they are properly lubricated with no rust on them.
• When adjusting blades, do not overtighten; otherwise, blades will not move effectively.
• Verify that there are not any obstacles like small rocks in the way.

We will explain in the coming section how you can make sure all of these things are ready before you start mowing your lawn with a manual lawn mower.

Adjust Blade Height to Highest Position

Most manual lawn mowers are only able to reach a height of 1 ¾ to 3 ½ inches. If the blades can be adjusted, adjust them to the approximate height of the grass.

If you notice that they cannot be placed to the height of the grass, then slowly start to mow the tall grass, and repeat the process until you see an even cut in the grass.

Tall grass generally means more work. You want to make sure that your grass does not grow taller than four inches otherwise this might mean more work for you.

Manual lawn mowers can find it hard to create an even cut when the grass is taller than this, and you may have to go back and forth several times to get an even cut.

Make Sure Blades Are Sharp

If the blades of your manual lawnmower are not sharp enough you may find it harder to cut the grass. Dull blades can cause uneven cuts on your lawn.

This is something you want to avoid since it can cost you more time to complete the task. Dull blades can beat up your lawn and may turn the tips of the grass brown.

If you have newer modern manual lawn mowers they do not need to be run with a back-and-forth motion like prior models. You may find yourself doing it if your blades are not sharp and unable to cut properly.

Ensure Blades Are Lubricated

Verify the blades are properly lubricated or your blades will have trouble rotating. The blades of most manual lawn mowers act like scissors. Blades lift the grass from the soil and place it on the knife bed for an effective cut.

If they have rust in them, then you might need to replace them. Cutting with rusted or blades that do not have proper lubrication can make the task of cutting your tall grass harder.

Do Not Overtighten the Blades When Adjusting

Although this might sound self-explanatory, there are many times when people commit this mistake when they cut their grass following blade adjustment. Overtightening your blades can make your blades stiffer when they are cutting the grass.

Overtightened blades will increase the overall effort you will have to put in to cut your grass. Having your blades overtight can cause uneven cuts to the grass.

This causes you to have to re-cut the lawn to get a good cut. If this happens to you, make sure your blades are not tightened too much so they are able to move freely, lubricate the blades, and then resume cutting the grass again.

Mow in Dry Conditions

Make sure your grass is dry before you attempt to mow it. Wet grass can bind up in your lawn mower because it does not cut as well as dry grass.

Remove All Obstacles from the Path

Before cutting, make sure that there are not any obstacles like small rocks that can be in the way. Take away any big bumps, or rocks, since there are chances that your blades might become stuck in the bed knife, which can become frustrating.

How Often Should You Mow with a Reel Mower?

For the best result, you should mower your lawn at least once a week. In the prime growing season, you may need to increase your mowing to twice per week.

Letting your grass grow too long not only make the task of mower harder, but it will also cause your lawn not to look nice once you are done.

The blades of long grass tend to lay down once it tall making the grass a little more matted. Your lawn mower may not be able to cut the blades of grass when the lawn is matted.

It’s best to cut your grass while the blades of the grass are standing tall. With gas or electric-powered mower, the blades are able to spin faster. With the faster blade tip speed and suction created in a mower deck, the grass is “lifted” and the blades come by and cut the blades of grass.

You do not have this advantage with a manual mower. You will need to cut your grass before it gets too tall and the blades of grass fold over.

Conclusion

Manual lawn mowers can cut tall grass, but it depends on the way you do it. Taller grass tends to be harder to cut and harder to maneuver. With a manual lawn mower, you might need to repeat the process multiple times to have good results.

Do not let your grass grow too tall. Otherwise, it will be more difficult to cut it. Maintaining your grass at approximately two inches tall makes your life easier during the mowing process.

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The Best Reel Mowers for Your Lawns in 2023 Buying Guide

Reel lawn mowers can be a wise choice for yard maintenance because they are relatively inexpensive, quiet, and easy to maintain. Plus, they only take up only a fraction of the space required by a typical mower.

But that’s not all, they are also better for the overall health of your lawn since they cut grass blades the way scissors would. This is unlike a traditional rotary mower that tends to rip and tear grass, leaving brown tips and exposing it to diseases.

If you’re wondering why else you should consider a reel mower and which ones are the best reel mowers in 2023, then this article was specifically written for a lawn owner like you!

We go over not only what the best reel mowers are, but also what exactly you should look for, and how they work to help you make the best decision for your lawn.

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Produces NO toxic fumes for the environment to absorb.- just a couple of footprints!

What is a Reel Mower?

A reel mower has vertically spinning blades. This differs from the majority of lawnmowers, known as rotary mowers, in which the blade spins horizontally.

Historically, reel mowers are mechanically powered, necessitating the use of muscle to cut grass. However, today you can also find reel mowers powered by gas, which are particularly useful for cutting larger turf areas.

How Does a Reel Mower Work?

Most motorized push mowers use rotary blades. The cutting edge is parallel to the ground and goes around and around in a clockwise motion (or maybe it’s counter-clockwise, but you get the point).

By contrast, a reel mower’s five to eight spiral steel blades spin at an angle perpendicular to the ground. As you push the mower, the reel turns and snips the grass in a scissor-like motion. It provides a finer cut than a rotary mower — no ripping or tearing — and seals the grass blade, which keeps moisture in and lawn diseases out.

People purchase reel mowers primarily due to their clean, short cut. The truth is that only reel mowers can achieve a cutting height of half an inch or less. If you’ve ever wondered how golf courses maintain such short grass, the answer is a gas-powered reel mower.

Also, unlike power mowers, which create a vacuum that pulls up the blades of grass as it cuts, the snipping action of a reel mower causes minimal disturbance to the natural growth pattern of turf.

This interwoven network of leaves (blades of grass) just above the soil level is a key element of turf’s natural ability to retain moisture and crowd out weeds. Reel mowers cut the grass in place, reducing the vertical height but leaving the grass with blades of varying lengths.

Professional groundskeepers prefer the cutting action of a reel mower because it allows them to cut at the lowest recommended height and still maintain a beautiful healthy look.

It also produces a natural mulch by dispersing clippings in a fine spray (no clumping) that decompose quickly. Left on the lawn, these clippings release nutrients into the soil. Over the course of a growing season, that mulch is equivalent to a free application of organic fertilizer.

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Ideal for ALL grass types including Florida’s thick-bladed St. Augustine grass.

Why Consider Using a Reel Lawn Mower?

There are multiple reasons why you should consider using a reel lawn mower. Let’s look at some of our top reasons:

• First of all, they start every time.
• They’re much quieter than gas-powered mowers, so quiet that you can mow early Sunday morning without waking the neighbors.
• They’re fuel-free unless you count those bowls of cereal or peanut butter sandwiches that power your engine.
• They don’t degrade air quality (lawn mower engines are terribly inefficient and emit more than 10 times the hydrocarbons per amount of gas burned than auto engines).
• Not only are reel mowers great for the environment, but they also require little maintenance and are a great means of exercise.
• They’re cheaper than gas-powered mowers, both in initial outlay and operating costs.

Are Reel Lawn Mowers Better Than Gas Mowers?

Reel lawn mowers are definitely better than gas-powered, rotary mowers.

Rotary lawn mowers tend to tear off the tops of grass blades, leaving them exposed to disease. Ever notice how the tops of each grass blade turn brown after mowing with a gas machine?

A reel mower snips the grass, like scissors, leaving finer trimmings to mulch in your yard. This mulch not only nourishes your lawn but also prevents weed seeds from germinating.

Rotary mowers also create a vacuum as they pass (that’s why they’re great for cutting tall, droopy weeds). They literally vacuum the mulch layer off the ground, providing an opportunity for weeds to find space to take root.

On the other hand, reel mowers will cut shorter (approximately 1-3/4 to 2-1/2 inches depending on the model) without disturbing the soil surface.

What About the Disadvantages of Using a Reel Mower?

No doubt you’ve heard of the drawback associated with reel push mowers from some disgruntled neighbor or relative.

They’re just too much work.

They’re hard to keep sharp and don’t cut evenly.

They leave the dandelion crowns standing.

These concerns are mostly a thing of the past. New materials and technology have made reel mowers lighter and more efficient. And a few changes in your lawn care strategy will not only make life with a reel mower easier but will result in benefits to your yard — and your health — as well.

Standard Light

Easy to store whether you park it in the garage or hang it up on a wall.

When was Reel Mowers Invented?

Push mowers, invented in 1830 by Edwin Budding near Stroud, England (you can see one of the originals in the London Science Museum), have improved since I discovered that old reel back in the woodshed.

Today, they’re lighter, smoother rolling, and made of stronger alloys. Blades stay sharper longer — about twice as long as a power mower’s spark plug lasts — and some machines are designed for specialized uses such as cutting thick, low-growing Bermuda and Zoysia grass.

With a little care and planning, a push reel mower will not only give you years of quiet, fuel and pollution-free service. It will help you keep a better lawn.

Things to Consider When Buying a Reel Mower

Size and Terrain

Reel lawn mowers are best used in smaller, level yards. The wider a mower is, the harder it will be to push.

Steep hills can make mowing difficult (as they do with power lawn mowers) but maneuverability with a reel mower, especially those with rear wheels, is better than with most power mowers.

Still, a reel mower may require pulling the mower back and pushing it in the new direction. This assures a clean cut as it trims any grass missed while rotating the reel.

Weed Control

Push reel mowers tend to run over tall weeds, like dandelion flowers, rather than cut them. But a reel lawn mower makes weed control easier. You’ll want to inspect your lawn for obstructions as you mow. A rock can chip mower blades. I always cleared twigs and fallen fruit from beneath my trees before making a pass with the mower.

Type of Grass

It’s best to consider the type of grass you’ll be mowing and the height you prefer as this will affect the cutting width and number of reel blades to look for in your reel mower.

Most mower reels contain five blades and are fine for cutting Kentucky bluegrass, perennial rye, fescue, and other common grasses. Thicker grasses found in the South and areas prone to droughts, like Zoysia, Bent, and Bermuda grasses, are best handled by seven-blade mowers.

Models with seven blades and an 18-inch cutting width are good for medium-sized lawns. If they are consistently maintained, most small to medium-sized lawns can be successfully cut by reel mowers with four or five blades and smaller cutting widths.

Cutting Height

In warmer, wetter climates where grass grows quickly, an adjustable blade height feature found on some more expensive reel models can be a lifesaver. Most of the time, these settings range anywhere from 0.5 to 4 inches.

Consider the amount of moisture your lawn receives and the kinds of use it gets so that you’ll know just how short to cut.

Other Features

To increase comfort when mowing medium-sized lawns, some reel lawn mower models feature ergonomic, cushioned handles, attached grass collection bins, and other features.

An InertiaDrive reel is another feature to look for in a reel mower; it provides a more precise cut and is especially helpful for cutting tall and thick grasses.

Planet Natural’s Picks for Best Reel Mowers in 2023

Here are our top picks for the best reel mowers you can buy in 2023:

Best Overall Reel Mower: Great States 18-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower

The Great States 415-16 push reel lawn mower is the first on our list and is well-known for its cutting power. This mower does an excellent job of trimming and shaping your lawn thanks to its blade height adjustment range of 0.5 to 2.5 inches.

This reel mower is our top pick because of the high quality of its blades; they are made of heat-treated alloy steel and stay sharp for a very long time. The blades are sharp enough to use for trimming precise lawn borders. And the mower’s cushioned handle makes it simple to push through even the thickest grass with a solid grip.

It requires only one push to start, making it a hassle-free manual lawn mower. Plus, the lightweight design of the Great States reel lawn mower makes it easy to maneuver throughout the yard.

The reels cut the grass cleanly and efficiently, leaving behind a neat and even lawn without any ripping or tearing. In addition, the lawn mower is simple and easy to store. It can be hung on a wall or tucked away in a garage nook and so requires minimal storage space.

Best Wide Cutting Width Reel Mower: Scotts Outdoor Classic Push Reel Lawn Mower

The Scotts 2000-20 is our top pick for a reel mower with a wide cutting width for healthy, precise cutting.

The mower’s 20-inch cutting swath allows it to quickly and cleanly remove grass in a single motion, without tearing or ripping the blades. With the Scotts 2000-20 mower, you’ll never have to go over your lawn more than once.

The blades are made of heat-treated alloy steel, which maintains its edge for a longer period of time and allows for exceptionally precise grass cutting. The blade adjustment range is from 1 to 3 inches.

The enhanced maneuverability on the lawn is a result of the dual-tracking wheels, which allow for a more even cut when moving around your lawn.

Mowing is a breeze with the Scotts 2000-20 Outdoor Power Tools mower. Ergonomic padding on the mower’s handles promotes healthful posture as you cut the grass.

It can be quickly and easily assembled with no extra hardware and tools required. It’s one of the most user-friendly and space-efficient manual lawn mowers on the market, making this model a top pick at its price point.

Best Lightweight Reel Mower: American Lawn Mower Company 14-Inch 4-Blade Mower

With being the lightest reel mower on the list, the 14-inch American Lawn Mower weighs just 20 pounds overall. It has four cutting blades made of a steel alloy that has been heated to prevent them from becoming dull. It also has 8.5-inch polymer wheels and rear rollers to make it more stable.

This smaller American Lawn Mower is ideal for mowing a small lawn, and its light weight makes it easier to operate for smaller individuals. It has both a T-handle and a padded handle to make mowing more comfortable.

Plus, this compact, low-maintenance reel mower has a fold-down handle for storage and is light enough to hang in the garage if preferred. The cutting height can be adjusted from 0.5 to 2.75 inches.

Since there are only four 14-inch blades cutting against the bedknife, this mower provides the least resistance out of all the models on the list, making it a good one if you’re a beginner or worried about manual mowers being too difficult to push.

Overall, this four-blade reel mower is sturdy and simple to operate, though it might need a second pass to finish cleaning up tougher patches due to having fewer blades.

You could use it to maintain the paths in your vegetable garden or other low-traffic grassy areas effectively with this manual mower.

Best High-Quality Reel Mower: Fiskars StaySharp Max Reel Mower, 18 Inch

This Fiskars reel mower might be pricey, but you certainly get high quality in return for the price. This model has two small front rollers for better balance and stability, and its high-quality StaySharp blades require less frequent sharpening.

In addition to that, it has a design called InertiaDrive that enables the mower to cut through grass that is denser.

Even though the Fiskars Stay Sharp Max mower costs roughly twice as much as the others on the list, it easily outperforms them in every way. The construction, which weighs a hefty 52 pounds, has a heavy-duty feel but operates efficiently.

Even on the roughest terrain, the machine can be maneuvered with relative ease thanks to the ergonomically designed handle.

The wheels on this reel mower are offset in a way that prevents them from flattening the grass before mowing, allowing you to get closer to the edge of your lawn (only an inch away) than you would with most other reel mowers (typically 3.5 inches).

The lever’s height can be altered quickly and easily with one hand and the cutting height can be adjusted anywhere from one to four inches, and the chute can be moved in either direction, allowing the clippings to fall either in front of or behind the mower as desired.

This Fiskars mower has a cutting width of 18 inches, which makes it an excellent choice for maintaining lawns in both smaller and larger sizes. Plus, you can buy a grass catcher on its own if you want to.

If you’re looking for unbeatable quality, you can’t go wrong with this reel mower.

Best Reel Mower for Tall Grass: American Lawn Mower Company 16-inch Reel Mower

Unlike most reel lawn mowers, this 16-inch push reel lawn mower from American Lawn Mower Company has blades and a bed knife made of tempered steel, as well as an unbreakable steel side plate.

This built quality is incredible and definitely worth checking out. The blades slice through grass blades up to 4 inches tall, just like a pair of scissors would without ripping them like rotary mowers would.

One of the things that we love the most about this particular mower is how easy it is to use! If you’re concerned that a manual reel mower will be a lot of physical work, then consider trying this one by American Lawn Mower Company; it makes mowing a breeze and is easy to move through tall grass even with one hand.

How To Use a Manual Push Mower

Single Pass

Back when your grandpa was using a reel mower, the common grass-cutting technique was to saw–pass the mower back and forth in a sawing-like motion. That’s because the blades weren’t all that sharp. Today that’s unnecessary. Just walk at a normal pace and a single pass (or sometimes two) will suffice.

Cut to Shortest Recommend Length

Always cut to the shortest recommended height. That makes it an easier job for both you, the pusher, as well as for the reel push mower.

You’ll want to keep your grass at a proper mowing height (no more than three to four inches) and try to mow no more than one-third of the grass blade at a time. This helps feed the soil and ensures that your lawn will have deeper roots, which makes the grass healthier and discourages weeds.

Stay Regular

That is, it’s better to mow a little bit and frequently instead of waiting for the grass to be too high. Usually once a week will do the trick.

Avoid long gaps and tall grass between mowings. Tall grass means too much work and it will be harder on you and the mower

Overlap Your Mowing Lines

Overlapping wheels while bicycle racing causes accidents. In the case of your lawn, overlapping the mowing pattern is a good thing. It makes it easier to mow and helps catch any errant grass blades that the push mower missed the first time around. (One good hint: if you get sloppy and wait until your grass is too tall to cut, try increasing the amount of overlap between passes.)

Add Variety

Variety adds spice to life and to mowing, so experiment. Try mowing in different patterns and seeing what makes your lawn look best. Heck, if you’ve really got a lot of time on your hands, you could work on becoming the next Picasso of the playing field.

Change Method Depending on Season

To every season, there is a method of cutting. You may find that you need to change your mowing technique as conditions change.

For example, grass grows fast in the spring and is brimming with moisture. You may need to set your push mower at a higher cutting height and mow more frequently than in the fall when the growing season is coming to an end.

Similarly, during the peak of summer and summer heat grass has less moisture and is thinner. You may need to reduce the mowing height to get your lawn to look its best.

Weed Control Tips

If dandelions or other “willowy” weeds take up residence, you’ll find that mowing isn’t the best solution.

This is because they are so tall that when the mower pushes over them, they do not spring back up to be cut by the blade. You’ll be pushing and the mower will be cutting, but the weeds will escape.

Instead of futile mowing, either start attacking weeds with the mower while they are still short enough to be easily cut or explore other forms of weed control.

How to Maintain Push Reel Mowers:

Other Lawn Guides from Planet Natural: