How to Mow Your Lawn the RIGHT Way: A Guide From Fenton's Lawn Mowing Experts
As the owner of All In Lawn & Landscape here in Fenton, I've seen just about every lawn care mistake you can imagine. After serving over 300 customers throughout Fenton, High Ridge, and Sunset Hills, one thing has become crystal clear – most homeowners know how to start a lawn mower, but very few understand how to truly mow a lawn the right way.
Today, I want to share some professional insights inspired by Silver Cymbal's excellent video on proper mowing techniques. While their advice provides a solid foundation, I'll be adding my own experience as a lawn mowing professional dealing specifically with Missouri's unique climate challenges and the clay-heavy soils we have in the Fenton area.
The #1 Mistake Fenton Homeowners Make: Using Mowers as Edgers
I see this all the time when I'm out doing estimates in neighborhoods across Fenton – homeowners trying to get their mower as close as possible to garden beds and landscaping. It's tempting to try and eliminate the need for trimming, but trust me, you're setting yourself up for failure.
What happens in our Missouri clay soil is even worse than in other regions. When that mower wheel dips into your garden bed, not only does it scalp your lawn, but our dense soil is particularly hard on blades. One wrong move and you've just dulled your mower blade on our rocky Missouri clay, requiring more frequent sharpening.
Instead, we use a two-step approach at All In Lawn & Landscape:
Make a horizontal pass with a string trimmer to knock down tall grass
Follow with a vertical pass for that crisp, defined edge
This approach is why our 90+ customer retention rate is so high – those clean edges make an enormous difference in your lawn's overall appearance.
Change Your Mowing Direction (Especially Important for Fenton Lawns)
This tip is worth its weight in gold for Fenton homeowners. Our clay soil is particularly susceptible to compaction and rut formation. When you mow in the same pattern week after week, those wheels create compacted paths that can affect drainage and root growth.
At All In Lawn & Landscape, we rotate between four different mowing patterns:
North to south
East to west
Diagonal one way
Diagonal the other way
This rotation not only prevents ruts but creates that professional striped appearance you see on golf courses. It's one of those little touches that separates our 5-star rated service from others in the Fenton area.
How Often Should You Mow in Missouri's Climate?
The general advice of mowing once a week is a good starting point, but Missouri's unpredictable weather patterns require a more nuanced approach.
For Fenton lawns in spring (April-May), when our cool-season grasses are growing rapidly with all that spring rain, you may need to mow twice weekly. During the hot, dry periods of July and August, once every 7-10 days might be sufficient as growth slows.
Our weekly mowing service is timed to these seasonal patterns – we don't just show up on the same day regardless of conditions. We evaluate your lawn's actual needs each visit, which is part of why our customers stick with us year after year.
It's All About the Blade (Not the Mower)
I couldn't agree more with folks at Silver Cymbal on this point. The type of mower matters far less than maintaining a sharp, quality blade. This is especially true in our region, where our soil composition can be harder on equipment.
At All In Lawn & Landscape, we sharpen our blades weekly during peak season. For homeowners, I recommend:
Sharpening your blade at least 3 times per season (our Missouri soil is particularly tough on blades)
Inspecting for damage after hitting rocks (common in our area)
Having a backup blade ready to swap in
The difference between a sharp and dull blade is immediately visible – clean cuts heal quickly and maintain their green color, while torn grass blades turn brown at the tips and create that overall dull appearance you see in many Fenton lawns.
The 1/3 Rule: Fact or Fiction for Missouri Lawns?
The 1/3 rule states you should never cut more than one-third of the grass height at once. While Silver Cymbal suggests this might be overstated, my experience with Fenton lawns tells a different story.
Because of our cool-season grasses and clay soil, following the 1/3 rule is actually quite important here. Cutting too much at once stresses the grass, making it more susceptible to the fungal diseases that thrive in our humid Missouri summers.
That said, I've certainly had to break this rule when taking on neglected lawns. The key difference is that we follow up with proper lawn fertilization and careful monitoring when we do – something the average homeowner might not be equipped to handle.
Finding the Perfect Cutting Height for Fenton Lawns
For our cool-season grasses in Fenton (primarily tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass), I recommend:
Spring (March-May): 2.5-3 inches
Summer (June-August): 3-3.5 inches
Fall (September-November): 2.5-3 inches
Final winter cut: 2-2.5 inches
These heights are specifically calibrated for our Missouri climate. The taller summer height helps shade the soil, reducing water loss and keeping roots cooler during those brutal 90+ degree days we often get in July and August.
This adaptive height approach is part of our comprehensive lawn care program that has earned us over 300 satisfied customers across Fenton, High Ridge, and Sunset Hills.
Our Professional Approach Makes the Difference
What separates our mowing service from others in the Fenton area is our attention to these details. We don't just cut grass – we manage your lawn as a living system that requires different approaches throughout the season.
As a licensed and insured provider with a $2 million liability policy, we take every aspect of lawn care seriously. Our owner-operated approach means I personally oversee the quality of service on each property, ensuring consistent results that have earned us our 5-star rating.
The best part? Unlike national chains, we offer all this expertise with zero long-term contracts and a 100% money-back guarantee. We're confident in our service because we understand Fenton lawns better than anyone else.
Ready to see the difference professional lawn care can make? Contact All In Lawn & Landscape today:
All In Lawn & Landscape LC
Coronita Dr. Fenton, MO 63026
(314) 686-8423
https://allinlawnlandscape.com/
From weekly mowing to complete lawn care programs, we're your local experts for beautiful, healthy lawns in Fenton, High Ridge, Sunset Hills, and neighboring communities.
