Why do people mow their yards on a bias?

Question

I see many people cutting their yards sideways. Is there a practical reason for this? The only reason I can see is if the yard is on a hill it might be easier going at an angle. I heard someone say it made the grass grow better. I think its a load of crapoodle. What do you think?

Answer 1

Simple, the longer the straight away the less times turning, most yard in the front are wider than deep. If you have time and energy you can get creative. Most of the time I just want to get it done. The best mower is the old push mower because it doesn't whack the grass but cuts it like scissors. Guarantee you won't see me pushing one...

Answer 2

I believe it takes longer to mow your yard sideways. It only lasts for about a day or so anyway. I think it's just for looks. I mow mine straight. However I can get it done the fastest.

Answer 3

Generally it is good practice to mow in a rectangular fashion and such that the discharge chute points to the unmowed grass. If there is a slope, mowing across the slope is less dangerous and less tiring than trying to mow up and down the slope.

Answer 4

It just looks cool for a day. It does not make it grow better. On a hill, there may be some advantage if there is a heavy rain in the next day or so. After that? nothing.

I'm in MN. Someone in Alabama may have a different take because they get more rain or in Texas where it deluges..

Answer 5

doesnt make it grow better, but stronger. by mowing in different directions you bend the blades away from the sun making it stand back up and bend toward the light. changing directions every week properly bends all the grass in all directions. besides it looks pretty cool when my yard looks better than a baseball diamond does !

Answer 6

Some believe that mowing your yard in a certain direction (I.E. North to South) will help it grow better and more evenly. Sometimes they even switch it up, by going reverse.

Answer 7

Well one.. for esthetic reasons. It looks nice.
I mow my lawn in different directions every time I mow. One day I'll do vertical, next time horizontal, next time I will do it in a circle. I was told it makes your grass grow better because it isn't constantly being pushed in the same direction. Plus you don't miss any spots.

Answer 8

I try to mow differently every time - partly for variety, but mostly so I don't end up with ruts from the lawnmower wheels taking the same route every week!

Answer 9

its not just for the pattern, but also to encourage thicker growth. if you mow in the same direction for years, the grass will 'learn' to grow in one direction only, (the direction its mowed), and it will begin to thin out.

Answer 10

Not sure exactly, but I think I heard or read somewhere that you are supposed to mow in a different dierction each time to prevent the roots or blades from growing funny or something.

one week mow like this: --
next week mow like this: |
next week mow like this: /
next week mow like this: \
repeat.