Mowing your lawn is an essential part of keeping it manicured and pristine, but there are some common mistakes you'll want to avoid to prevent ruts from forming! For example, mowing when it's wet can cause the wheels of the lawn mower to sink into the soil, leaving unsightly ruts. Another mistake is not switching up your mowing pattern, as this can compact the soil and create ruts. If your lawn in Florida has ruts, there are ways to fix them, such as filling them with soil and leveling them out. By being mindful of these mistakes and taking the necessary steps to fix any existing ruts, you can maintain a beautiful, healthy lawn.

Mowing your lawn when it's wet can cause ruts.

One common mistake that can lead to ruts in your lawn is mowing when it's wet. Wet soil is softer and more susceptible to compaction, and the weight of the mower can easily sink into the ground, leaving behind unsightly ruts. Not only does this affect the appearance of your lawn, but it can also damage the grass and soil structure. To avoid this issue, it's best to wait until the soil has dried out before mowing. That way, it's firm enough to support the weight of the mower and doesn't result in ruts.

It's generally best to wait until your lawn dries after rainfall before mowing, as wet grass clippings can clog your mower and potentially spread diseases.

Not switching up your mowing pattern can lead to ruts in your lawn.

Faint ruts in a lawn in New Smyrna Beach, FL.

Another mistake that can cause ruts in your lawn is not switching up your mowing pattern for each session. Mowing in the same direction every time can compact the soil, leading to the formation of ruts. This is because the wheels of the mower follow the same path, pressing down on the soil and creating grooves over time.

To prevent this from happening, it's important to vary your mowing pattern each time you mow. This helps distribute the weight of the mower more evenly across the lawn, reducing the risk of compaction and rut formation. You can mow in different directions, such as diagonally or in a criss-cross pattern, to ensure that the entire lawn is cut evenly without causing damage.

How do you fix ruts in your lawn caused by improper mowing?

If you've already noticed ruts in your lawn from improper mowing, don't worry—there are ways to fix them. To start, you'll want to remove the grass within the ruts and loosen the soil. Then, you'll want to fill them in with new soil and level them out. You can use a shovel or rake to spread the soil evenly, making sure to pack it down firmly to prevent further sinking. Once the ruts are filled, you can either place the grass back or reseed the area to encourage new grass growth.

It is best to hire professionals to mow your lawn, as they will follow best practices to avoid causing ruts.

Call Us Today to Sign Up for Our Lawn Mowing Service

Mowing your lawn is crucial to maintaining its uniform, manicured appearance. Fortunately, you can enlist the help of our team at Leafy Landscapes to do this! Our lawn mowing service involves weekly or bi-weekly visits during the active growing season, then bi-weekly during the off-season to keep it at an ideal height year-round. You can trust that we'll follow best practices while mowing to avoid causing ruts, such as rotating our mowing patterns and not cutting it when it's wet.

We proudly serve residential property owners in New Smyrna Beach, Port Orange, Ponce Inlet, FL, and nearby areas. Call us today at (386) 492-8862 to schedule our lawn mowing service, and let us help you achieve a well-maintained lawn without the hassle of doing it yourself!