How to Stripe a Lawn While Mowing

Start at one end of the yard and move the mower across the lawn in a straight line. You can choose to mow stripes along the width and length of the lawn, or you can mow at a diagonal.

Turn around once you get to the end of your mowing path. Try to make the turnaround off the yard so you don't mar the grass. If you must turn on the grass, lift the blades and turn in a Y pattern so you don't twist the mower on the lawn.

Mow back in the opposite direction, returning to where you started. Position the mower so the wheels are just to the inside of the previous wheel pattern to ensure all the grass blades are cut. Keep your head up and look ahead to help maintain a straight line. Repeat the pattern by mowing back and forth until you reach the other end of the yard.

Mow around trees as needed. Always mow around the tree on the side that you have not mowed yet. This way when you come back in the next row, you will mow over the curve pattern that was created when you went around the tree.

Form a crisscross pattern by running back over the lawn at a perpendicular angle. For example, if you went over the lawn from left to right, mow again in rows running front to back.