How Smart Property Owners Slash Mowing Time in Half

March 14, 2025

Cut Your Mowing Time in Half with These Clever Tricks

We all love the look of a neatly trimmed lawn, but let’s be honest—mowing can feel like it eats up half the weekend. If you’re managing acreage or a large rural property, it’s not just a quick zip around the yard. It’s a full-blown event.

Luckily, smart property owners have found ways to shave hours off their mow-time and still keep their yards looking like a postcard. Let’s talk about the best tricks that’ll have you finishing up faster and enjoying more of your weekend.

Pick the Right Mower for the Job

If you’re still wrangling a push mower across vast stretches of land, it’s time to level up. A ride-on mower isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity when you’ve got serious ground to cover. And for those tackling rough terrain or paddocks, a zero-turn mower can cut your time in half with its nifty ability to turn on the spot.

Set the Right Cutting Height

Scalping your lawn might seem like a good idea to delay the next mow, but it actually backfires. Cutting too low stresses the grass and invites weeds to take over. Set your mower deck a little higher—this keeps the blades sharper longer, reduces wear on your machine, and lets the grass grow stronger between mows.

Keep Blades Sharp

Dull mower blades slow you down. Instead of slicing cleanly through grass, they tear and bog down your machine. Sharpen your blades every few weeks, and you’ll be gliding over your paddocks like a pro. Plus, sharp blades mean cleaner cuts, which keeps your lawn healthier.

Plan Your Mowing Pattern

Most people zigzag around their yard, but there’s a faster way. By mowing in overlapping straight lines or a circular pattern, you avoid unnecessary backtracking. If you’re using a ride-on or zero-turn, mowing in a spiral from the outside in can take out wasted time turning your machine.

Upgrade to a Mulching System

Bagging grass clippings is time-consuming, and let’s be real—you don’t have time to be emptying catcher bins every few minutes. A mower with a mulching feature chops the clippings up finely and returns them to the lawn. That means fewer stops and a natural fertiliser boost to your grass.

Tackle Weeds Before They Take Over

Weeds make mowing a nightmare. Thick patches slow you down and clog your blades. Stay ahead by managing weeds early with the right herbicides or sprays. A little effort now saves you a frustrating mow later.

Maintain Your Mower

A well-oiled, regularly serviced mower runs faster and smoother. Simple things like cleaning the deck, checking the air filter, and changing the oil save you from mid-mow breakdowns. And there’s nothing worse than pushing a half-dead mower back to the shed when you’ve only done half the job.

Use the Right Fuel

Fuel quality makes a difference. If you’re using dodgy old fuel, your mower’s engine has to work harder, and you’ll notice sluggish performance. Always use fresh, high-quality fuel—and if you’re storing it, a fuel stabiliser keeps it from degrading over time.

Invest in Smart Landscaping

Time spent mowing around endless obstacles is time wasted. Trimming trees, reducing garden edges, and setting up mowing strips around fences mean fewer stops and starts. The fewer details you have to navigate, the quicker you’ll be done.

Owning rural land means plenty of work, but that doesn’t mean mowing has to swallow up your whole day. With the right mower, a solid plan, and some maintenance tweaks, you’ll be kicking back with a cold drink in half the time.

Need advice on mowers, fuel, or property upkeep? Drop into Strathalbyn H Hardware—we’ve got the gear, the tips, and the know-how to keep your property looking top-notch with half the effort.

Happy mowing!

Candeece