Latest news with #mowing
CNET
a day ago
- Climate
- CNET
This Is the Best Way to Keep Your Grass From Dying in the Summer Heat
Despite the soaring temperatures, mowing the lawn during summer is a necessity, and believe it or not, it's also something that can keep your grass looking sharp and green. If you want to keep your lawn in tip-top shape, there are serious mistakes to avoid, especially during hot weather. With a little strategy and a few easy adjustments, you can turn your lawn from a sorry brown to a glittering green -- and do it in less time. So grab your best mower and read these five essential tips. 1. Keep it long A short trim can cause damage to your lawn, especially during hotter months. Chris Wedel/CNET For some, a perfect lawn is always well-trimmed and consistently kept short. Unfortunately, while this may look nice, it can be a detriment to the overall life of your grass. During the hottest days of summer when your yard is competing with sweltering heat, blazing sun and less rain, it's best to keep the grass about 4 inches high after a cut. That may seem long but taller grass retains more water and has longer, healthier roots. 2. Wait until the grass is dry Mowing when there is still dew on the ground can damage your lawn. Russell Holly/CNET It may seem obvious during the summer when it reaches unbearable temps during the day to try and get started mowing early in the cool morning hours. But if there's still dew on the ground, you can lose time and damage your lawn. This is caused by the high likelihood that wet grass will clump up in the discharge chute (that flappy thing on the side), requiring you to stop and remove the clog. Plus, your mower tires won't get great traction either and could put tracks in your yard. Instead, wait until later in the morning when the dew dries, or mow the lawn late in the day before the evening dew. Also, time your sprinklers to start up in the late evening or at night so there isn't extra moisture on the grass when you mow. Here are some more watering tips for your lawn. 3. Go slower Keep your speeds low to make mowing go fast. Alina Bradford/CNET Short on time or just want to get the chore over faster? Then going fast makes the most sense, right? But while it's tempting to go fast while mowing, it can actually create more work for you. By not taking your time and letting the mower do its job properly, there's a good chance it will leave some areas uncut and give the lawn an uneven, sloppy look. This means you'll have to take more time to re-mow it to make the lawn look correct. Instead, take the path of the turtle -- slow and steady. A slower, mid-speed mowing session is faster and better for your lawn than zooming around the grass and ultimately needing to re-mow it later. Also, remember that the choke needs to be lower for slower speeds to run properly. 4. Be consistent My yard has never had such a professional look. Chris Wedel/CNET Mowing randomly across your lawn can take up more time and lead to an uneven cut. Follow a pattern instead, using this technique: Start on the edge of your lawn with the discharge chute pointing toward your lawn Mow around the perimeter of your lawn When you get to your starting point, make a U-turn so the discharge chute is facing the strip you just cut Keep mowing around the perimeter, making sure the discharge chute is pointed toward where you just mowed. In the end, your lawn will end up with a nice pattern and the discharge chute won't clog. How to Prep Your Lawn Mower for the Season How to Prep Your Lawn Mower for the Season Click to unmute Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Skip Backward Skip Forward Next playlist item Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 2:58 Loaded : 13.31% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 2:58 Share Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Close Modal Dialog This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. Close Modal Dialog This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. How to Prep Your Lawn Mower for the Season 5. Prep your mower for the next round Regular maintenance on your mower is important to ensure it is reliable and does a great job each and every time you take it out. Spending a little time after you finish mowing will keep your mower in tip-top shape and lasting longer. Start by turning the mower over and rinsing the blades and discharge chute with a garden hose before putting it away. This will prevent grass from building up, drying out and being much harder to remove. If the air filter on your push mower looks dirty, give it a good wash with some mild dish soap and rinse it with the garden hose. Set the filter aside to dry so you can put it on right before mowing next time. One of the best time savers is keeping your lawn mower blade sharp. A dull blade will require you to go over the same patch of lawn more than once to cut any raggedy bits left behind. A sharp blade allows you to zip around your lawn just once and still get great results. Most mower repair shops will sharpen the blades for a small fee, or you can do it yourself with these tips. FAQs to help you get the best-looking lawn What order should I mow my lawn? It's best to start mowing around the edges of your lawn, with the grass clippings going into your uncut grass. After cutting around the entire perimeter of your yard, turn back around and mow in the opposite direction, with the grass chute pointing toward the perimeter grass you already cut. Continue this mowing direction until complete. Want to make watering your lawn easier? Here's CNET's guide to making your own automated lawn watering system.
CNET
19-06-2025
- Climate
- CNET
This Essential Lawn-Mowing Tip Will Keep Your Grass From Dying in Summer Heat
Mowing the lawn during summer is a time-honored tradition and one household chore you might not think contains much nuance. To keep your grass looking sharp and green, there are fatal mistakes to avoid, especially during hot weather. Beyond supplying your grass with proper nutrients and water, these grass-cutting hacks will ensure your lawn stays healthy, even in the sweltering summer heat. With a little strategy and a few easy adjustments, you can turn your lawn from a sorry brown to a glittering green -- and do it in less time. So grab your best mower and read these four essential tips for when to mow, how to mow, and how to keep your mower happy. Read more: The gardening tips everyone needs to know. 1. Keep it long I short trim can cause damage to your lawn, especially during hotter months. Chris Wedel/CNET For some, a perfect lawn is always well-trimmed and consistently kept short. Unfortunately, while this may look nice, it can be a detriment to the overall life of your grass. During the hottest days of summer when your yard is competing with sweltering heat, blazing sun, and less rain, it's best to keep the grass around 4 inches high after a cut. That may seem long, but taller grass retains more water and has longer, healthier roots. So, you'll have to go to the golf course to see that short grass during the summer months if you want your lawn to thrive year-round. 1. Wait until the grass is dry Cicada chimneys look kind of like anthills. Russell Holly/CNET It may seem obvious during the summer when it reaches unbearable temps during the day to try and get started mowing early in the cool morning hours. But if there's still dew on the ground, you can lose time and damage your lawn. This is due to the high likelihood that wet grass will clump up in the discharge chute (that flappy thing on the side), requiring you to stop and remove the clog. Plus, your mower tires won't get great traction either and could put tracks in your yard. Instead, wait until later in the morning when the dew dries, or mow the lawn late in the day before the evening dew. Also, time your sprinklers to start up in the late evening or at night so there isn't extra moisture on the grass when you mow. Here are some more watering tips for your lawn. 3. Go slower Keep your speeds low to make mowing go fast. Alina Bradford/CNET Short on time or just want to get the chore over faster? Then going fast makes the most sense, right? But while it's tempting to go fast while mowing, it can actually create more work for you. By not taking your time and letting the mower do its job properly, there's a good chance it will leave some areas uncut and give the lawn an uneven, sloppy look. This means you'll have to take more time to re-mow it to make the lawn look correct. Instead, take the path of the turtle -- slow and steady. A slower, mid-speed mowing session is faster and better for your lawn than zooming around the grass and ultimately needing to re-mow it later. Also, remember that the choke needs to be lower for slower speeds to run properly. 4. Be consistent My yard has never had such a professional look. Chris Wedel/CNET Mowing randomly across your lawn can take up more time and lead to an uneven cut. Follow a pattern instead, using this technique: Start on the edge of your lawn with the discharge chute pointing toward your lawn Mow around the perimeter of your lawn When you get to your starting point, make a U-turn so the discharge chute is facing the strip you just cut Keep mowing around the perimeter, making sure the discharge chute is pointed toward where you just mowed. In the end, your lawn will end up with a nice pattern and the discharge chute won't clog. How to Prep Your Lawn Mower for the Season How to Prep Your Lawn Mower for the Season Click to unmute Video Player is loading. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Next playlist item Unmute Current Time 0:02 / Duration 0:06 Loaded : 100.00% 0:03 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:04 Share Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Close Modal Dialog This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. Close Modal Dialog This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. How to Prep Your Lawn Mower for the Season 5. Prep your mower for the next round Regular maintenance on your mower is important to ensure it is reliable and does a great job each and every time you take it out. Spending a little time after you finish mowing will keep your mower in tip-top shape and lasting longer. Start by turning the mower over and rinsing the blades and discharge chute with a garden hose before putting it away. This will prevent grass from building up, drying out, and being much harder to remove. If the air filter on your push mower looks dirty, give it a good wash with some mild dish soap and rinse it with the garden hose. Set the filter aside to dry so you can put it on right before mowing next time. One of the best time savers is keeping your lawn mower blade sharp. A dull blade will require you to go over the same patch of lawn more than once to cut any raggedy bits left behind. A sharp blade allows you to zip around your lawn just once and still get great results. Most mower repair shops will sharpen the blades for a small fee, or you can do it yourself with these tips. FAQs to help you get the best-looking lawn What order should I mow my lawn? It's best to start mowing around the edges of your lawn, with the grass clippings going into your uncut grass. After cutting around the entire perimeter of your yard, turn back around and mow in the opposite direction, with the grass chute pointing towards the perimeter grass you already cut. Continue this mowing direction until complete. Want to make watering your lawn easier? Here's CNET's guide to making your own automated lawn watering system.
The Sun
31-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
Warning that gardeners are risking huge £5,000 fines for mowing their lawns this weekend during certain hours
GARDENERS have been warned not to mow their lawns during certain hours this weekend to avoid paying a hefty fine. Anyone caught with a lawn mower risks forking out a whopping £5,000. Brits could be set to enjoy temperatures as high as 26C this weekend as "Iberian heat" rolls in alongside glorious sunshine. Many would be tempted to make the best out of the weather and tend to their gardens. Regularly giving your lawn a fresh cut helps to promote healthy growth, prevent stress on the grass, and improve air circulation. However, you have to be wary what time of the day you bring out your lawn mower out of the shed. Although there is no law stopping you from mowing your lawn during certain hours, you could get in trouble with your local council. They could issue a Noise Abatement Notice if you create noise disturbance during the prohibited hours. On weekdays, it is normally accepted to make noise between 8am and 8pm. However, on weekends, people have been advised to keep it quiet before 9am and after 7pm. East Coast Fencing says: 'Most people naturally opt for weekends to complete household and garden chores, including mowing the lawn. 'However, weekends are also when noise complaints tend to rise as families aim to relax or catch up on sleep. 'To prevent frustrations, pay extra attention to the timing of your mowing on Saturdays and Sundays.' I turned my bare front garden into a vibrant green lawn in DAYS thanks to a £4 buy from Asda - the grass grew like wildfire Those who don't abide by the rules could get fined for up to £5,000 for disturbance during unsociable hours. Daniel McAfee, Head of Legal Operations at Lawhive, told Express: 'Non-compliance with an abatement notice can lead to prosecution and a fine of up to £5,000 for domestic premises. 'This is not an empty threat - these fines are real, and local authorities do enforce them.' Luckily, experts have revealed that mowing too early can cause damage to your grass by exposing it to disease and fungal infections. The expert shared that in spring the best time to mow your lawn is between 9 am and 11 am. Gardening mistakes that could get you fined Gardening experts over at Toolstation have revealed the garden laws you need to be aware of not breaking. While some of these laws could land you with a fine of up to £20,000 in extreme cases, a friendly chat with your neighbours can usually resolve any issues. Tree removal and pruning: If you have a tree in your garden you want to get rid of you better think twice and do your research. The gardening experts reveal: 'If one neighbour wishes to remove or heavily prune a tree that the other neighbour values, disputes can arise over the impact on the view, shade, or privacy. " While it might cause a row, if it is in your property boundary it is ultimately your choice, unless it has a Tree Protection Order on it. 'But, some trees may be protected by a Tree Protection Order which makes it an offence to uproot, top or destroy them, the experts warn. The maximum fine for breaking this law is £20,000, so make sure you double check if it does have a TPO. You can find out by contacting your local council for a map that shows this information. Alternatively, you can ask to speak with your local tree officer. Property boundaries and fences: One of the main causes of neighbours falling out is through arguing over property boundaries and fencing. To avoid this situation, the gardening pros recommend checking the deeds of your property to determine the correct boundaries 'Most of the time, it's easy to determine who owns the fence as the fence posts will usually be on the owners side," they add. 'Additionally, the height of fences or hedges can cause disputes between neighbours if one party feels the height has exceeded the two metre guidance. "Hedges and fences should be no more than two metres high, and you could be asked by the council to take them down if a neighbour complains about the height. "Luckily, standard fence sizes are less than two metres tall so you shouldn't have a problem.' Garden structures and additions: A pergola is the perfect addition to a garden if you want somewhere to relax in the shade. But if it obstructs your neighbour's view or violates local building regulations it could cause a dispute, as can sheds and other garden structures. 'If you're not sure, have a chat with your neighbours to let them know what you're planning and, if there's an issue, get in touch with your local council who can give you more guidance," advise the gardening experts. Overhanging branches and plants: 'When branches, vines, or roots from one neighbour's tree or plant extend into the neighbouring property, it can lead to disagreements over potential damage to structures, blocked views, or the burden of maintenance," reveal the pros. However, it's important to note you can only trim overhanging branches up to the boundary of your property otherwise, it could be seen as trespassing. You can climb into the tree to carry out the work if needed, but only on your property and make sure to stay on your side of the fence if you don't have permission to enter your neighbours garden.
CBS News
19-05-2025
- CBS News
Swarm of bees kills Texas man while mowing lawn
A swarm of bees killed a Texas man while he was mowing a lawn, according to police. The Eastland Police Department said officers were dispatched to a crash in the 700 block of North Lamar St. on the evening of April 27. As officers approached the vehicle suspected to be involved in the crash, they noticed the driver was being swarmed by bees. To avoid being stung further, EPD said officers helped the driver get into a police vehicle. Once the driver was in an ambulance, EPD said he stopped breathing. He died at a local hospital. EPD said officers called a local beekeeper to help figure out where the beehive was located – officers said it was found in an abandoned structure near where the man was mowing. The beekeeper safely removed the hive from the structure, according to EPD. Eastland is about 97 miles west of Fort Worth.
Daily Mail
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Ellen DeGeneres, 67, doesn't look like this anymore as she changes her hair drastically to do farm work in England
Ellen DeGeneres looked unrecognizable as she unveiled a new hairstyle while giving a glimpse of her new abode in the British countryside. The former talk show host, 67 - who moved to the U.K. following Donald Trump's presidential win late last year in November - jumped to her main Instagram page over the past weekend while taking on the task of mowing the grass. The TV personality and wife Portia de Rossi recently relocated to a different property near Oxfordshire after their Cotswolds home suffered severe flooding shortly after moving in. In the clip, DeGeneres sat on top of a yellow mower and revealed that she has ditched her signature blonde locks for a brunette shade. The star could be seen steering the mower through a large field as a layer of gray clouds filled the sky. Text was added towards the bottom of the reel which read, 'How it started.' The video then cut to Ellen being assisted by an individual after the machine seemingly broke down on a steep hill. The clip concluded as more text popped up onto the screen which said, 'How it ended.' The comedian also penned in the caption: 'Portia thought it would be fun to film my first time on the mower. She was right.' Before opting for darker locks, Ellen had sported the blonde shade for years throughout her career. DeGeneres has previously given a rare look at her new life in England to her 136 million followers. Last month in April, she snapped a photo while standing behind Portia as they looked out at the scenic view of the countryside and a double rainbow following a rainfall. '3 things that make me happy: My Wife A Rainbow And my wife taking a photograph of a Rainbow,' she wrote. Back in 2020, Ellen was embroiled in controversy after being accused of creating a toxic work environment - and later issued an apology. After nearly two decades of being on the air, The Ellen Degeneres Show also came to an end just two years later in 2022. Before opting for darker locks, Ellen has sported the blonde shade for years throughout her career; seen in 1994 in NYC She previously told The Hollywood Reporter, 'I have to just trust that whatever happened during that time, which was obviously very, very difficult, happened for a reason. 'I think that I learned a lot, and there were some things that came up that I was shocked and surprised by. It was eye-opening, but I just trust that that had to happen.' She stepped in front of the camera once again for her 2024 Netflix special titled Ellen DeGeneres: For Your Approval. However upon its release, the project garnered mainly mixed to negative reviews and garnered a score of 33% on Rotten Tomatoes. A few months earlier in March of this year, Ellen took the big step of listing her Montecito property for $4,995,000. Less than two weeks later, the star's home sold for over the asking price at $5.2 million. People reported at the time that the two-bedroom, two-bathroom abode quickly went into escrow after receiving 'multiple offers within two days of hitting the market.' And back in January, Ellen and Portia had put an additional Montecito property on the market for $29.9 million. The couple - who tied the knot in 2008 - opted to move into an $18 million house in the Cotswolds area in the U.K. late last year. The reason the pair chose to relocate to the British countryside rather than Portia's home country of Australia was soon revealed. A source explained to New Idea, 'Ellen wants to continue with her comedy work, and there is a huge scene in Britain. 'Sitting back and chilling on a beach in Australia is for when she's ready to retire and Ellen's not there yet.' But after the move, their six-bedroom Cotswolds home was met with severe flooding due to Storm Bert. An insider informed MailOnline, 'Ellen and Portia have had several issues with the place they initially moved into. 'First there was the flooding, of course, then there was an issue with some locals complaining about some building work carried out at the property.' DeGeneres and Portia have since moved to a different property which is only a 30 minute drive from the original home that they had bought. A source recently told 'The house is a real Grand Designs number - and it's plain that Ellen and Portia are loving it.' They added, 'Everything has been done very discreetly so it's not clear what the terms of the deal was but it seems that it has recently changed hands for not much less than they paid for their previous place. 'To buy two properties for eight figure sums in the space of a few months really is unusual, even given the many multi-millionaires around here.' The source continued, 'And at even a conservative estimate it must have cost Ellen hundreds of thousands of pounds in fees and costs to change her mind so dramatically - perhaps millions.'
