Lawnmower Not Cutting Stalky Grass Type

[Mr FootOfDavros]

Afternoon folks

I've just been cutting the grass around the back and have discovered this problem that seems to be getting worse:-

Hopefully you can see that stalky stuff on the right there. Doesn't matter how many times I run over it, it just won't cut.

Had a few bits of this grass type last year but was just pulling them out as I went but now it seems to be taking over...

Anyway just wondering if anyone had any suggestions re if there's anything I can do about this? Not sure if it just means I need to get a better mower...

 

[DirtMechanic]

Not a better mower, just a more appropriate tool. Reels are like using scissors and that needs a scythe. I think the cutting bar anvil is knocking the stalk over possibly not having a chance to cut. The rest is just scale and power.

 

[Chuck]

When was the last time the blades were sharpened?

 

[Mr FootOfDavros]

When was the last time the blades were sharpened?

Never. But it's only into its second year really and we only have a small-ish garden.

Still, could be that I guess - although it's cutting the rest okay and like I was saying it wasn't cutting these stalks last year either, just I had less of them.

 

[Mr FootOfDavros]

Not a better mower, just a more appropriate tool. Reels are like using scissors and that needs a scythe. I think the cutting bar anvil is knocking the stalk over possibly not having a chance to cut. The rest is just scale and power.

I'll try cutting a few bits down below the bar length with some scissors and then see if it cuts the remainder down. I guess that would let me see if it's the length rather than the thickness.

 

[Mr FootOfDavros]

I'll try cutting a few bits down below the bar length with some scissors and then see if it cuts the remainder down. I guess that would let me see if it's the length rather than the thickness.

Ha! So rain stopped play yesterday but back out there just now with a pair of scissors - cut a few of these stalks down to maybe a couple of inches then ran the mower back over them and it cut them no problem!

So thanks DirtMechanic .

Question now is - What's the usual way to deal with this (I'm no expert at all!)? Regular mowing is the obvious answer but what do people use on this type of grass if it gets too long again? I'm not going to regularly use scissors! Should I have some kind of mini garden scythe or is a strimmer the answer here?

 

[DirtMechanic]

Ha! So rain stopped play yesterday but back out there just now with a pair of scissors - cut a few of these stalks down to maybe a couple of inches then ran the mower back over them and it cut them no problem!

So thanks DirtMechanic .

Question now is - What's the usual way to deal with this (I'm no expert at all!)? Regular mowing is the obvious answer but what do people use on this type of grass if it gets too long again? I'm not going to regularly use scissors! Should I have some kind of mini garden scythe or is a strimmer the answer here?

Identify and spray appropriately, or spot spray a total killer. Best to risk seeds and let one grow to maturity for proper identification. Post a pic here, including the cleaned roots of a full plant, and once identified the battle can begin appropriately.

 

[DiggersJo]

Just cut it more often.

 

[DirtMechanic]

Just cut it more often.

Thats me. Its basically a field with different grasses and plants coming in and out of season. Its green until the last minute and green at the first opportunity. I have developed an entire shelf of herbicides that I impulse buy and then talk myself out of using. Every plant control has a dark side for other living things. I probably need therapy.

 

[Mr FootOfDavros]

Identify and spray appropriately, or spot spray a total killer. Best to risk seeds and let one grow to maturity for proper identification. Post a pic here, including the cleaned roots of a full plant, and once identified the battle can begin appropriately.

It's just a particular variety of grass though as far as I can tell. Didn't think you could tackle these individually.

Anyway, this is what one looks like at the front with the seeds at the top:-

I cut the front here last week but as I sit looking at it now, it's a real mess with all these longer stalks!

 

[Meadowlark]

We have a lot of bahia grass that gets in lawns and stalks like that.

Sharp blades and double mowing turns the trick.

 

[oneeye]

Those type of mowers need to be sharpened after every 25 hours of use or 2 times a year. When the blades are dull they will miss grass. Also if you let the grass go to seed every year you will have more weeds the next few years. Cut the grass before it goes to seed for the growing season and after a few years the good grass will grow.

 

[Pruner]

Here is a video on cutting long grass

. It suggests mowing 3 ways horizontal, vertical and diagonal using a high setting. I would also add lowering the height to a medium setting on your last cut.

 

[Mike313]

I love those cylinder 'push' mowers but you need to have the grass cut short for them to work properly. Tall grass just gets flattened and doesn't enter into the cutting area of the mower. What I used to do was cut the area at the start of the growing season with a petrol-engined mower with a grass box to remove the cuttings. Then I'd use the cylinder mower almost every second day. The reason I did this was (a) mowing with a cylinder mower is, for me, a pleasure and I get a lot of thinking done while I'm mowing (b) it is a good form of light exercise (I'm in my 70's so my football days are over) and (c) when I use the cylinder mower I am not burning petrol and it's a lot quieter too!
You need to learn how to sharpen the blades and how to set them to cut well. Hopefully you have a manual that tells you how to do this - and how to keep the mower lubricated etc.
Have fun !

 

[Mr FootOfDavros]

I love those cylinder 'push' mowers but you need to have the grass cut short for them to work properly. Tall grass just gets flattened and doesn't enter into the cutting area of the mower. What I used to do was cut the area at the start of the growing season with a petrol-engined mower with a grass box to remove the cuttings. Then I'd use the cylinder mower almost every second day. The reason I did this was (a) mowing with a cylinder mower is, for me, a pleasure and I get a lot of thinking done while I'm mowing (b) it is a good form of light exercise (I'm in my 70's so my football days are over) and (c) when I use the cylinder mower I am not burning petrol and it's a lot quieter too!
You need to learn how to sharpen the blades and how to set them to cut well. Hopefully you have a manual that tells you how to do this - and how to keep the mower lubricated etc.
Have fun !

I enjoy using the push mower as well!

We used to live in a flat with a pretty large grass area, which I used to cut with an electric mower but when we moved here went with getting a push one as the grass area is a bit smaller and couldn't be bothered with the extension leads, watching for the cord as you go back and forward, etc.

But, as you said, it great - a bit of light exercise, feels more satisfying, plus for me a bit of nostalgia as I'm sure I used to help my grandad out many years ago using one in his garden...

Anyway, yes I need to work out how to sharpen the blades at some point - They do seem okay at the moment but for these stalky bits but I'm sure I'll need to sharpen them by the end of this cutting season.