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Grass too long to use a lawnmower?

Gn0meGn0me Posts: 85
in Problem solving
My friend has asked me if she can borrow my lawn mower. I have a simple Bosch Rotak 320C which is a good few years old now but always either replace or sharpen the blade.

Her lawn is only about 3 metres wide and 6 metres long. Her house is a new build from last year so the turf isn't that old. The lawn has not been cut at all since she has moved in and now it's getting very long with some big fat weeds creeping in.

I wish I took a photo when I was last there so you can see, nevertheless, I would say the grass is about 10 inches tall.

It is said you're only supposed to take no more than a third off at one time but of course my lawnmower can't go high enough for that and it will still look very long.

What do you do in these situations? Should she simply go over it with the lawnmower at the highest setting? There's also a long run on the other side of the pathway, next to the fence but it's too narrow to run the lawnmower down there. I do have a cheap strimmer as well, which she can use for this useless part of the lawn and I will tell her to replace it with either gravel/chippings or a plants.

Should she use the strimmer for the main part of the lawn too instead of or just before the lawnmower?

Also, should she address the weeds first? I can tell her to buy a spray bottle of weed killer for now but should she do this first and wait even longer to cut the lawn or just cut them along with the grass and deal with it later when the grass is at the right height.

Thanks very much and hope you can help.
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Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    On a lawn that small I would use a strimmer to get the grass down
    to about 4-6”, rake and remove the grass. 

    Then leave it a few days to allow the grass to green up a bit ... left to grow that long it will have stopped photosynthesising at the base of the grass as it will have been shaded. 

    Then I would mow on the highest setting, remove the cut grass and leave the lawn again for about a week, before dropping the blade to the middle setting when the grass begins to look a bit healthier. 

    Do not use a spray for the weeds. It is impossible to prevent it killing some grass as well. Believe me, I’ve tried it 🙄 

    If you can’t get them out with a daisy Grubber 



    then a dab or two of glyphosate gel will do the trick. Use according to directions on the pack and leave the weed to die in situ. https://www.wilko.com/en-uk/roundup-total-weedkiller-gel-150ml/p/0313328

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    What I have done it those circumstances is set up for the longest cut,then tip the mower back,so you just cut the first few inches off, then lower it,till the mower can cope,bear in mind it will be very damp underneath and clog up frequently, Learned my lesson the hard way lending out tools!!
  • Gn0meGn0me Posts: 85
    Thank you for your prompt replies, I really appreciate.
    Yes, I've used that gel before and will recommend she buys some.
    I think I'll blow the cobwebs off my strimmer and use that for now.
    I have a feeling I'll be the one ending up doing this!

    Immediately afterwards, should I water it with some iron sulphate?

    Thanks again.
  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    I've trimmed lawns that size using lawn shears which are basically just big scissors. Treat it as exercise and just do a bit a day if necessary but you get a better cut and less mess than with a strimmer. Use a daisy grubber for the worst weeds and sow clover into the holes it leaves. No fossil fuels and no chemicals. 
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    Please check for any lurking wildlife before starting up your strimmer. You never know what might be lurking in there  :)
  • Gn0meGn0me Posts: 85
    Thanks again for your replies. It turns out she already bought a cheapy 'Challenge' cordless strimmer from Argos when she first moved in and hid it in the shed, therefore, saved me the job of bringing my own stuff.

    She hasn't got a rake though but said she'll go down to the large Tesco-Extra round the corner to get one.

    Once she's got it under control can you recommend a product what she should use to cut the grass in the future whether corded or cordless?

    From my own research using Which? it seems the cheapest 'good' cordless lawnmower is this one although ironically not good at cutting tall grass!
     



    That said, what about a corded one? I'm not sure if it's worth her spending that much on such a small garden but I'd like to bow to your expertise.

    If it helps, I've now manged to take a photo of her garden:



  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    Going by the look of it, l'd probably go for a cordless.
    Is she going to leave it "as is", or will there a be a flowerbed in due course ? Does she want/need a lawn, as it could be turned into a lawn free garden that is still a haven for wildlife. 
    I know many people love a lawn though  :)
  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    Have tried other peoples cordless mowers found them useless,I do have a small electric Bosch,no where near as well made as the previous one, actually made in China,also have a hand qualcast
  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    Plastic cutter on strimmer kept snapping, hubby also snapping said he wanted to smash it up,I said feel free,so he did.I have shears and electric shears which I love
  • TheVanguardTheVanguard Posts: 136
    I bought a cheap(ish) battery lawnmower for doing our grass slopes. 
    (Main lawnmower is a Honda and a bit heavy to push up and down them) 
    It’s great no where near as powerful for long or wet grass, but as long as used within its limitations it great to be cord free :) 
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