The lawn service industry can be tricky to navigate and sometimes so can finding out what you should look for in a lawn mowing service. A lot of people in this business aren't in it for the right reasons and they don't offer the experience and dedication that we have at Element Turf & Outdoor Solutions, LLC. The best thing you can do for your lawn is to learn what it needs so that come mowing time, you'll understand what company to go with to help your turf flourish. There are 3 questions to ask when hiring a professional company to take care of your lawn and ensure that it's mowed the right way. These questions involve the 1/3 rule, mowing pattern alteration, and sharp mower blades!


1. Do you follow the 1/3 rule?

picture of healthy grass blades

By this, we don't mean cutting your lawn 1/3 of the time! The 1/3 rule is what professionals should follow when mowing your lawn. It means that they should adjust their mower so that it only takes off 1/3 of the total height of your grass blades per mowing session. Every mowing company should adhere to this rule so that your grass blades are not harmed from being trimmed too low in a single mowing session. If your turf is too short, it becomes susceptible to weed invasion, lawn disease, insect infestation, and heat damage.

Timing is everything. You'll want to have a frequent mowing service scheduled so that the 1/3 rule can be applied while still keeping your lawn at an ideal height.


2. Do you alternate your mowing patterns each time you mow?

picture of grass being mowed in a pattern

It may not seem like something to think about, but alternating mowing patterns will create results with a whole new level of efficiency and will help to create better, healthier turf. When your lawn company is cutting your grass, the wheels of the mower will push down the blades as they go over it. If your lawn mowing company isn't changing up their patterns each time they mow your lawn, their wheels will continuously travel over the same spots and eventually cause ruts and weaken your turf.


3. How often do you sharpen your mower blades?

picture of a lawn mower blade being sharpened

It's so important that your lawn company sharpens its mower blades regularly. Dull blades will cause rips and tears in your grass blades and will weaken your lawn, leaving it susceptible to disease and insect infestation. In general, it is best to sharpen the blades after every 20-25 hours of use. For a homeowner, that isn't very often. However, for a professional company, this could mean as frequently as every few days. Be sure that your lawn maintenance company is sharpening the blades they use on your lawn as often as they should be to prevent ripped and mangled grass blades.


Are you looking for an experienced lawn mowing company? Call us!

When you use your hard-earned money to schedule professional lawn maintenance, you don't want a dull, patchwork job - and you shouldn't have to settle for one! Proper lawn maintenance isn't developed overnight, it's cultivated with hard work and experience.

Let us handle all of your mowing needs. Our company offers a weekly mowing service that also includes other maintenance tasks like string-trimming, sharp edging, and blowing debris off of your hardscapes to finish with a crisp, clean look. After over a decade in the industry, you can trust that we will never make any of the above mistakes. Our team is reliable and we know what it takes to give your lawn the best possible care. To schedule your lawn mowing services or get a quote, call us at (618) 467-7047 today! We proudly service the Alton, Godfrey, Edwardsville, and Glen Carbon, Illinois areas.