Simplicity Mfg. Promotes Lawn Striping For Unique Lawns

Consisting of patterns and designs of alternately hued stripes, lawn striping is the latest trend to hit the residential lawn market and can be created during a standard mowing, according to Simplicity Manufacturing, Port Washington, Wis. The company said utilizing lawn striping helps to enhance the aesthetics of an entire property while adding pleasure and a touch of creativity to the mowing experience for lawn and landscape professionals.

Simplicity explained that lawn striping patterns are not caused by the mower cutting the grass at different heights, as is commonly thought. Instead, it is the use of rollers that creates the design.

Rollers mounted on the back of the mower deck - as found on various Simplicity mowers and tractors - bend the grass in the direction the operator travels. The patterns are caused by the way light reflects off the grass. Grass cut with rollers going away from one’s view looks lighter, while grass cut with the rollers coming towards one’s view looks darker. Remember, when mowing a light stripe in a lawn and turning around to come back the other way, the stripe just mowed will look dark. That is because the view is now from the opposite end of the pattern.

One of the first people to create elaborate lawn striping patterns at ballparks was Dave Mellor, director of grounds at Boston's famed Fenway Park, according to Simplicity. Today, his influence can be seen at ballparks across the country and now even on residential and commercial properties.

While Mellor uses commercial equipment to stripe the ballpark, at home he uses a Simplicity tractor. "Simplicity has taken many of the components of the commercial equipment that I use at the stadium and sized them down into lawn and garden tractors and riding mowers for the home," explained Mellor.

While basic lawn stripes are a unique addition to properties, the designs don't end there. Among the more popular patterns are waves, diamonds, checkerboards, bull's-eyes, numbers, letters and logos. Most people find themselves designing their own patterns after just a little practice. For some easy steps to mowing various lawn striping patterns visit Simplicity’s online tutorial for checkerboard, plaid and diamond patterns at www.simplicitymfg.com/stripe/easysteps.htm.

Simplicity dealers are currently offering a "how-to" brochure outlining various striping techniques with tips from Mellor. To receive a brochure contact Simplicity at 262/284-8669 or www.simplicitymfg.com.