If you’ve been to your local ballpark or golf course, chances are that you marveled at the pristine lawn striping patterns on the grass or turf. Impressed by the well-defined lines and variances in hues, you may have even wanted the same for your lawn.
Fortunately, you can recreate these patterns through lawn striping.
Lawn striping allows you to turn your lawn into a picturesque collection of patterns, shapes, and color shades. All you need is a well-oiled lawn mower and our definitive guide to lawn striping.
Learn more about the subtle art of creating stunning shades and patterns on your lawn. By the end of this, you’ll be a pro — and the envy of your neighbors.
What Is Lawn Striping?
Lawn striping is a landscaping trick employed by homeowners and landscapers to create different shades on a lawn. The variation of shades results from bending grass in different directions.
By bending the grass in different directions as you mow, you’re allowing light to bounce off your grass in different directions. As a result, your grass will appear as though it grew in different shades of green.
The Perfect Tools for the Job
As with any landscaping project, you’ll need the right tools for the job. Here are the different things you need to have as you plan your lawn striping project.
A Lawn Mower
Your lawnmower must be well-maintained before you stripe your lawn. A well-oiled lawn mower prevents inefficiencies and long striping times. Most importantly, there’s a lower chance of unevenly cut grass when you ensure your mower’s proper functioning.
A Striping Kit
Stripes on your lawn are the products of pressure, so you should have a striping kit on hand.
Striping kits often come with lawnmowers and consist of several items, including rollers and attachments for pressing down on grass.
The Right Mower Blades
Some mower blades are better than others. At MowTown Blades, we recommend that you go with mulching or high-lift blades.
Mulching blades can be used for various applications. Versatile and unique in design, these blades lift the grass before cutting it. This is especially crucial when you’re creating lawn stripes.
If you’re after more definition between your stripes, opt for high-lift blades. These mower blades are designed with pronounced higher tilts, lifting the grass higher for better cutting.
How To Create Eye-Catching Stripes on Your Lawn
Now that you’ve got everything you need, follow these steps to create stripes for your lawn.
1. Check Your Grass
Some types of grass respond better to striping than others. The best types of grass include:
- Rye grass
- Kentucky Bluegrass
- Fescue
2. Prep Your Lawn
Clear your lawn of debris and any furniture. Also, you must trim your grass slightly. Don’t cut your grass too short as doing so will make lawn striping impossible.
How short is too short? You can easily tell by stepping on your grass. If it feels hard, there’s a chance you’ve cut too close to the ground.
3. Mow Based on Your Desired Pattern
How you mow will depend on the look you’re going for. For a simple striped pattern, mow in one direction for one stripe and the opposite direction for the parallel one.
A checkered pattern takes more steps. To achieve a checkered lawn, you must mow in both directions vertically (as you would with plain striping). Once you’ve done that, do the same technique horizontally.
Staying Safe While Lawn Striping
To help you stay safe as you carry out your project, we’ve prepared the following safety guidelines for you.
- Wear appropriate clothing: Sturdy, closed-toe shoes protect your feet from debris. Long pants and safety glasses are also vital for additional protection.
- Wear earplugs: Lawnmowers can be loud and damaging to your ears. Protect yourself by wearing earplugs.
- Be Cautious with Slopes: Mowing across the slope instead of up and down reduces the risk of slipping or losing control of the mower.
- Keep Children and Pets Away: Keep children and pets indoors or off the lawn to prevent accidents.
- Use Sun Protection: Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat will protect you from harmful UV rays, especially if you’ll be mowing for an extended period.
Feel Like a Pro When You Mow
Your lawn can be just as pristine and eye-catching as your local field or golf course. With our lawn striping guide, you can mow and stripe your lawn like a professional.
Of course, having the right blades makes all the difference. If you’re looking for the best mower blades for any lawn project, look no further than MowTown Blades.
FAQs
What’s Lawn Striping?
Lawn striping is a mowing technique that creates a striped pattern on a lawn. It involves using a lawn mower with a striping kit or roller attachment. While mowing it bends the grass in different directions and creates contrasting light and dark stripes.
Are All Types of Grass Suited for Lawn Striping?
No. Some types of grass, like Bermuda grass or zoysia, don’t bend enough for the stripes to be visible. However, some types of grass that are responsive to lawn striping include rye, bluegrass, and fescue.