What is the best way to mow a lawn that hasn't been mowed in over a year?

Question

A section of my lawn hasn't been mowed for over a year and, as I plan on having a number of outdoor gatherings at my house this year, I would like to start mowing it again. Right now the grass is thick and dead and new grass is starting to grow around it. There aren't many weeds, but it seems like it's going to be very hard to deal with, as the area is mostly crab grass anyway. All I have is a little electric mower. Any suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated! Thanks!

Answer 1

It's going to take a lot of work. You need to raise the deck as high as possible and run over the area once. Lower it a little and go back over it, repeat. Maybe it will work. Good luck.

Answer 2

Hire someone with a "brush hog" mower to cut it down or rent a brush mower from the rental place. This thing is like a monster weed whip that rolls like a push mower but instead of a blade it uses a whip. Be sure that you do not cut it down to less than 3". After the first cut you will need to gather up the clippings and that can be a challenge if the area is large. You can speed up this process if the area is large by attaching a field rake to the back of a lawn or garden tractor if you have one. Once that is done wait until after the next cutting and apply week killer to the site. Wait a week and if necessary over seed the area with grass seed. Then simply water and cut as usual.

Answer 3

A machete the size of Crocodile Dundee's!

Seriously, though - I did this to a LARGE patch of grass/weeds last year, and I used a good (not cheap, not industrial) weed whacker.

1. Make sure you can get secure footing, possibly elevated. If you had a railroad tie or could put a plank across a couple cinder blocks, that would help.

2. Swipe slowly, but surely, through it a couple inches at a time.

3. Occasionally rake it out, so that you're not re-cutting blades that have fallen lower.

Answer 4

If the area is a small area, then I suggest renting or buying a weed eater and use it to cut it down. Then rake the area up and mow it with your mower after raking.

If it is a somewhat large area, then I'd suggest renting a small walk behind brush mower. Then rake the excess up and mow it with your regular mower.

If it is a very large area, I'd suggest hiring someone with a tractor and bush hog to mow the area down.

Answer 5

Try using a strimmer to cut it back a good bit before you attempt to mow it,best do this over a weekend strim one day mow the next and mow every week to keep it tip top get all your friend/relation your having the gatherings for to give you a hand and have a lawn party.

Answer 6

I would mow it tall at first to get it cut to a manageable height and then a day or two later mow it again to the desirable height.

I seems your main problem is your mower. Maybe you can pay a kid or service to make the initial cut and then finish mow with your electric mower.

Answer 7

Start out with a weedeater. Cut it to about 3 inches tall. Then, rake the yard. After that, it should be safe to mow, without killing your lawn mower.

Answer 8

Hire someone with a tractor and brushhog, you will ruin your mower if it is higher that your knees. You may also check to see if there is a rental place in your community where you could rent a walk behind brush cutter (it's like a weed eater that you push). a

Answer 9

If you live where you are allowed to burn then I suggest getting the garden hose out and burn as much as you can, You will not believe the growth you will have after a week. Fire promotes new growth, DNR does it all the time.

Answer 10

If you arenot talking about a large area, get somone in there with a siCkle, cut it shorter, then you can mow it.