How to Mow a Small Lawn

We've got a new flat with a cute little yard, but the cute little yard is too small for a proper lawn mower. Even the smallest of them. Nevertheless, the grass needs to be mowed -- so what do you do? You improvise, that's what. The following tips will help you mow a small yard or garden that's smaller than 30 sqm in size. Perhaps even something larger than that, if you like. I have been doing this for a few weeks now and I have to say it works quite well.

Step 1: Electric garden shears

There are many types of electric gardening shears out there and you can take your pick. I mean, you can go for the manual shears as well but unless you've got a 1 sqm meter garden I wouldn't recommend it, as it will take a long time. And I say that from experience -- I did that once when my battery ran out and it took about 4 hours to hand-cut my lawn! But anyway, like I said, get you some electric garden shears. This does not mean hedge cutters, as they don't work as well.

Step 2: Get the attachment that allows you to roll it

There will be a long stick type thing that connects to some rollers and you then attach your garden shears to it. This way you can maneuver it round a bit like an upright vacuum cleaner. Mind, the garden shears are usually only about 6 inches wide so you won't be cutting the lawn as fast as you'd vacuum your carpets.

Step 3. Make sure it's charged!!

If you're on battery power you will want to be sure your shears are fully charged. Most of them last only about 50 minutes max and that's about exactly how long it will take to mow a 20 sqm garden so you want to be sure it's ready.

Step 4: Clip, don't drag.

The secret to mowing your lawn with electric garden shears is to keep the machine circulating. You don't want to slowly drag it through the grass or it could rip it all out, especially if the grass is long and new, like mine is. Just keep it circulating and it will cut the grass easily and effortlessly.

Step 5: Don't cut too short

If you do this bent over with shears in hand and without the roller thingie, you will want to be careful that you keep the shears even and don't point them too far downward, or you'll go right to the dirt and possibly damage your grass roots. Personally, I found the attachment to slow things down so I do it bent over, but I am careful not to get too close. Note that if you do it this way you will surely have areas that are uneven and you'll need to look everything over when you're done and trim it up so things are even.

Step 6: Collect the grass.

Or not -- if you've got a small yard you may not need to collect the grass. Personally it takes me about 20 minutes to do my entire yard with electric garden shears and no one has ever noticed that it looks uneven or anything of the sort. Therefore, I highly recommend them for small yards. But if you've got something larger, be kind to your back and get a proper mower.