Why is Alternating Mowing Patterns so Important?

Have you noticed your lawn care specialist is mowing in a different direction each time? If so, there’s a good reason for this and it is not just for a change of routine. Why is alternating mowing patterns so important? (Hint: it shows that your lawn specialist cares about your lawn.) Let’s answer this question in detail.

Why Alternating Mowing Patterns is So Important
There are a few reasons why this is the best practice for regular mowing. Not only does alternating the mowing pattern contribute to the good health of the grass, but it also influences appearance.

Lawn Health
First and foremost, the health of the grass depends on the roots’ ability to gather enough nutrients and water from the soil. When a lawn is mowed in the same direction over and over, things happen that can impede its ability to do this. 
    
Flattened Growth Habit
The individual blades of grass are knocked over, and over time, they begin to grow like this. This acts as a barrier that can potentially keep water out. This can also shade the grass that is trying to grow from underneath. It is important for the blades of grass to be standing vertically. Alternating mowing patterns will ensure that this can happen.
    
Compaction
Another harmful thing that happens when grass is continuously mowed in the same direction is compaction. This is when the soil around the roots becomes so tightly packed that water and nutrients cannot make it into the root. If the lawn is mowed in the same pattern repeatedly, the weight of the lawn mower will always be focused on the same areas of the soil. This can lead to compaction in these areas and can ultimately lead to a patchy lawn.

Appearance
Let’s face the facts, one of the most important reasons to have a well-maintained lawn is for the neat and clean appearance that it gives to the outside of your home. One of the reasons why alternating mowing patterns is so important is that it can keep the lawn looking its best. Not surprisingly, this goes hand in hand with having a healthy lawn. 
    
Lush and Healthy
As mentioned before, the flattening of the blades that comes with repeated mowing in the same     direction also detracts from the appearance of the lawn. A lawn that is made up of flattened blades will look as you’d expect, flat and lifeless. It is important not to train the grass to grow in this way. Constant mowing in the same direction will eventually lead to blades that grow in this direction, and that will detract from the lush appearance of the lawn. 
    
Patchy and Lumpy
Mowing in the same pattern all the time will also create ruts in the soil. This is not only a bad thing because of the compaction of the roots, it will eventually make the lawn appear lumpy and rutted. However, if this continues, the compaction will eventually make the grass unhealthy where the soil is constantly driven on. Now, not only will the lawn look lumpy where the ruts are, the grass may also be yellowing or dead in those areas.

The health of the grass will directly affect the appearance of the lawn, and after all, the appearance is one of the best things about having a well-maintained lawn. This is why it is so important to alternate mowing patterns. If you notice that your lawn care professional is doing this, that is a great sign, as it shows that they take pride in the health and appearance of your lawn.