Picturesque Patterns

As the outfielder races against time to catch the fly ball in left field, he zooms in and out of an intricately designed pattern of grass stripes. During the fifth inning, the grounds crew members race out of the dugout, dusting and cleaning the infield while the crowd cheers. Clearly, major league baseball fans take their beloved team – and its front yard – seriously.

Likewise, landscape contractors’ residential clients feel devoted to their own playing fields – the yards where little boys play catch with their fathers and where family picnics turn into cherished memories. In addition, when playing the aesthetics game, clients desire properties that present pure curb appeal, which translates to sales wins for contractors.

Mowing designs spice up an endless expanse of green and create a charismatic lawn that existing clients enjoy and future clients call for. Landscape contractors who incorporate patterns into their clients’ lawns can benefit from the variety in their maintenance work – as well as the resulting referrals.

“It’s the whole idea of curbside appeal – having the nicest lawn in the neighborhood,” said Troy Blewett, manager of corporate communications, Simplicity, Port Washington, Wis. “You have that group of people who want the ‘wow’ factor. The designs give lawns a real tailored finish.”

FIRST BASE. Landscape contractors interested in big-league lawns may initially feel intimidated by the intricacies of mowing designs into their clients’ lawns. Or, they may worry about time lost to training employees to create lawn stripes or checkerboard patterns. However, learning to create mowing patterns only requires minor preparation, related David Mellor, director of grounds, Fenway Park, Boston, Mass. “Creating designs just takes a little bit of planning, and it really adds to the professionalism of the lawn,” he admitted.

Mellor is author of Picture Perfect: Mowing Techniques for Lawns, Landscapes and Sports, which pinpoints basic information for creating a picturesque lawn (see “The Basic Checkerboard” and “Small and Big Diamonds” sidebars). Although these designs may consist of waves, angles and circular patterns, Mellor insisted that the first hurdle to clear is mowing along a straight path. “Learning something new takes a little bit of time, but the hardest thing initially is to mow a straight line,” he explained. “What you do is just pick a point in the distance and mow toward that point.” Practicing steadiness with the mower translates to more success when moving toward more advanced designs, he said.

Lawn striping occurs when the full-width rollers on the back of the mower bend the grass in the direction the mower is traveling. When mowing toward a person, he or she will see a dark stripe – when mowing away, a light-colored stripe. These different shades result from light reflecting off the grass. After understanding these basic concepts, and remembering to be patient, landscape contractors can start lawn striping, Blewett pointed out. “In general, I would say that it’s not as difficult as people might think,” he said. “After a couple of passes with the mower, you start to get the hang of it. It’s basically trial and error.” Prior to practicing their striping techniques, contractors can benefit from planning and drawing a specific design, Blewett added.

Of course, be patient when an artistic design on a piece of paper doesn’t create the same effect on the actual lawn, Mellor cautioned. “What looks good on paper or on the computer screen doesn’t always transfer onto the grass,” he reminded. “Even though grass is the perfect canvas, it takes trial and error.” And, when contractors are pleased with their designs, Mellor encourages them to take pictures and create a portfolio of their range of work. “The portfolio can be used for advertising and for future employees,” he suggested. “You can see what you like and what you don’t like, and then it’s easier to look back and say, ‘This is what I did.’”

HOME RUN. Manicured turf with swirling waves or interlocking stripes does more than just entertain the crowd at the ballpark. Once clients know their contractor has the ability to create these designs, they ask for the creative patterns to differentiate their lawn from others in the neighborhood, said Gary Ground, president, Forsyth Lawn Co., Forsyth, Ill. “Clients like the look of the finished cut because people will drive by and notice the different directions of the grass,” he said. “People make remarks about it and then want to know how it happened.”

Some clients attend baseball games regularly and want a lawn that rivals their favorite team’s playing field. Others desire certain pictures in their yard for special occasions. “The patterns are really only limited by imagination,” Mellor said. “You can work with the client and use the curves of the landscape and the way it is laid out to add to the landscape’s appeal. I’ve done traditional lines but also insignias for birthdays, etc.”

Popular patterns for residential clients include checkerboards, diamonds or converging arches, Blewett identified, while others choose wavy patterns or designs created from their specifications. With the right planning, these designs don’t take any longer than regular maintenance services, he added. However, Ground pointed out, patterns add flavor and pizzazz to the yard, which inspires clients to recognize the need for proper and timely maintenance. “The clients want to try to maintain that professional look because it’s something the homeowner can be proud of,” he said.

And for clients, pride means having the most attractive lawn in the neighborhood – one that is tailored, fresh and unique. Yet, Blewett maintained that residential clients also ask for these types of services because of a trend toward cocooning – staying at home and concentrating on the quality of residential life. “People are entertaining more at home, and the home is the center of the things clients are doing,” he said. “Having a nice yard and landscape is just an extension of that.”

Lawn striping may not be difficult, but contractors need to keep correct mowing practices in mind when implementing yard designs, said Ground. For example, repeating the same design for several weeks can leave ruts and impressions in the yard that will eventually ruin the turf, said Mellor. “Remember to change the pattern about every three weeks,” he said. “You don’t want to wear patterns into the lawn.” Also, when making sharp turns for angled patterns, be careful not to turn too aggressively and damage the grass, he added.

Ultimately, contractors who incorporate mowing designs into their maintenance lineup impress clients with the professional, polished results. Customers have fun with the big-league-inspired patterns and, when neighbors drive by, asking who created the design, contractors can hit a home run with referrals. Lawn designs simply exist as another way for landscape contractors to creatively differentiate services, Ground emphasized. “Lots of people cut grass,” he said. “But we mow lawns.”

The author is Assistant Editor – Internet of Lawn & Landscape magazine.