Reel mowing is the art of keeping a lawn highly manicured and cut short. This is the look lawn lovers everywhere seek for their turf, and a reel mower makes it possible. Reel mowing is also a healthier way to cut certain types of grass because it creates a clean cut instead of tearing the grass blades.

A reel mower uses a rotating reel with a set of blades that work against a stationary bed knife, creating a scissor-like action. This cuts the grass precisely while helping train it to grow more laterally. Clean-cut grass blades are less likely to develop ragged, bruised tips and can retain more of their green color.

Reel Mowing Process

For the best lawn, reel mowing needs to be done frequently enough that no more than about one-third of the grass blade is removed at one time. During periods of active growth, that may mean mowing about every three days. Frequent cutting also makes it easier to mulch the fine grass clippings back into the lawn instead of bagging them.

Mulching the clippings returns organic material and nutrients to the soil and can help reduce the amount of fertilizer the lawn needs. Reel mowers are commonly used on golf course putting greens and fairways, as well as soccer, baseball, and football fields. We all know the striped, manicured look you see on a well-maintained baseball field. Reel mowing is what helps create it.

Manual, Electric and Gas Reel Mowers

Homeowners can even buy a basic manual push reel mower for around $100. A manual reel mower requires no gas or electricity; the reel is powered simply by pushing the mower across the lawn. When the grass is kept short and cut regularly, these mowers can work very efficiently on smaller lawns.

Electric reel mowers are also available for residential and commercial use and have become more practical with improvements in battery technology. For homeowners who want a more eco-friendly option, they eliminate gasoline and oil from the mowing process and are easy to start.

Gas-powered reel mowers are still used extensively for professional mowing and work very well. The Dreamscapes uses Locke and Tru-Cut reel mowers for our reel mowing service.

Professional Reel Mowing

The Dreamscapes has trained personnel who reel mow lawns regularly and is one of only a handful of companies providing this specialized service in metropolitan Atlanta. One reason more companies do not offer reel mowing is the constant maintenance involved. The reels have to be properly adjusted and sharpened, and it takes more time to mow the lawn correctly.

We cut lawns in a crisscross pattern to make sure the grass is cut evenly and to leave a smooth, uniform appearance. The steel roller used instead of front wheels also produces the strong striping that makes a reel-mowed lawn stand out. Bermuda lawns and some Zoysia varieties are especially well suited to a reel-cut program.

Why Lawn Leveling Matters

Reel mowing trains the grass runners to grow across the ground while the blades grow upward from the runners. This helps create a denser lawn and the tight, manicured turf appearance associated with reel cutting. The Dreamscapes also provides reel mowing for sports fields, including football, soccer, and baseball fields.

The key to getting that smooth, low-cut appearance is having a level lawn without large or small bumps, much like the smooth surface of a concrete driveway. When the lawn is uneven, a reel mower can cut high spots too closely while missing grass in lower areas.

If your lawn is not level, we can help improve the surface through top dressing. The Dreamscapes uses a blend of approximately 70% organic soil and 30% sand. After applying about a 1/2-inch layer across the lawn, we use an infield drag mat in several directions to work the material into low areas and help level the surface.

We also recommend core aeration when appropriate so the top-dressing mixture can work into the upper layer of soil and support stronger root growth.

Want a shorter, smoother, more manicured Bermuda or Zoysia lawn? Call The Dreamscapes at 678-574-4008 or contact us online to learn more about our reel mowing service.