Types of Mowers Two main types of mowers exist: reel and rotary.
There are many versions of these two types such as electric, gas, push, and riding.
Reel-type mowers give a cleaner cut than rotaries, but have a hard time cutting weeds and tall grass.
They cut by using a scissorlike motion of spinning blades against a bed knife.
Reel mowers come in rear (most common) and front throw models.
Since they are manual mowers, they are less expensive, quieter, and best for smaller lawns.
Rotary-type mowers are the most popular type because they are easy to maintain and have good maneuverability.
Rotaries also work quicker, cut at many different heights, and most models have mulching capabilities.
The drawbacks to a rotary mower are they can't cut effectively at lower heights (below 1"), don't cut as cleanly as reel mowers, and they will scalp the grass in uneven areas.
Armed with basic knowledge of mowers and what your needs are should make it very easy to select the mower that is right for you.
I personally own both types.
I like the best cut possible during peak growing season when weeds and debris are scarce.
Otherwise, my rotary mower is tough and handles weeds, leaves and other debris when I need it most.
Keep Mower Blades Sharp Dull mower blades are your lawn's worst enemy.
They leave your grass open to all sorts of undesirables.
If you notice a brownish, gray complexion to your lawn a day after you mow, check the grass blades.
The tops of the blades will probably be torn, jagged, or a little stringy.
This means you need to sharpen your mower blade.
Reel mowers need to be sharpened at a lawn mower shop, but sharpening a rotary mower blade is an easy DIY job.
All you need is a file, vise, wrench and a blade balancer that you can get at just about any lawn and garden store.
Mowing Etiquette Mowing etiquette is mostly up to your own disgression, but you should have a certain level of respect for your neighbors when you are performing lawn maintenance tasks.
In other words, you shouldn't wind up your gas blower at 6 a.
m.
on a Sunday morning when your neighbors are sleeping.
Also, don't blow your leaves and clippings into the street or onto your neighbors' property.
How to Mow The goal of mowing your lawn is to have an evenly cut, attractive lawn.
Follow these rules to help achieve that goal:

1. Remove any sticks, stones or other debris in your lawn before mowing.
   
2. Make sure the mower is set to the correct height and change if necessary.
   
3. Mow header strips at the ends of your lawn, around trees, and other obstacles.
   
4. Cut straight rows in between the header rows and overlap each row to ensure good coverage.
   
5. Avoid mowing when it's wet.
   It can cause uneven mowing and the clippings can mat and suffocate the grass.
   
6. Change the direction that you mow every time.
   Mow at a 45 to 90 degree angle from your previous job.
   
7. Mow in the evening so your grass doesn't have to suffer through the heat too.
   
8. Avoid sharp turns with the mower which can cause uneven cutting.
   Make wide turns or use sidewalks or driveways to turn.
   

Tip: If you have lots of shade on your lawn, you can cut your grass 1/2" higher than suggested to capture more sunlight to improve photosynthesis of the lawn.
Maintenance Secrets If you do this, you can significantly increase the life of your equipment.
Always keep your gas tanks full.
Right after you finish mowing, trimming or blowing fill each gas tank to full.
This will prevent condensation from forming and polluting your machine.
At the end of the season, run your equipment until it's dry or syphon out all the gas.
Doing these two things will significantly improve your starts.
The last thing you want is slow starts or no starts :) Finish the Job Now that you have mowed your lawn, it is time to make the finishing touches.
At the beginning of the season, you can use an edger to cut straight lines along sidewalks and driveways.
Then you can use a trimmer to keep the line for the rest of the season and get hard to reach blades around trees and against buildings.
Finally, use a blower or pushbroom to put any remaining grass clippings back onto the lawn.
The finishing touches make all the difference between a mediocre lawn and a great lawn.