Cutting the grass and roller

[Seeker89]

Hello 

I really can't find the answer for this on google, so I'll ask you guys. 

As the snow is all gone, and seems like it's going to be staying that way till October November(I live in Canada). So my wife and I decided to get a lawn roller because well my lawn is getting bumpy, but I have a few questions.. 

1. Can I cut my grass and flatten it at the same time? I have a fairly large yard and I cut it with the riding lawn mower, with roller can hook up to the lawn mower. 
2. Or should I cut it first? as the grass is getting long...
3. Should I roll it first?

thanks 

Seeker

[KerbMav]

I find it difficult to comprehend the intentions and reasoning behind clean-cut-optimization.

So, whenever words fail to convey a feeling inside me I resort to sarcasm.

If you want something flat and even maybe do not have a lawn but extra parking space?

[Randox]

Cut it after. If you have bumps, a ride on is just going to cut everything on the bumps super short anyway, so flatten first so you have a better final cut. Also, as good practice for the beginning of the season, and hopefully before you mount the blade assembly on your mower, take the blades off and sharpen them. You'll get a better cut, and your lawn will be healthier. I'd go for the highest cut your mower can manage, so that it's not extra stressed during the occasional cold snap and having the soil compressed by your roller.

[Seeker89]

1 hour ago, Randox said:

Cut it after. If you have bumps, a ride on is just going to cut everything on the bumps super short anyway, so flatten first so you have a better final cut. Also, as good practice for the beginning of the season, and hopefully before you mount the blade assembly on your mower, take the blades off and sharpen them. You'll get a better cut, and your lawn will be healthier. I'd go for the highest cut your mower can manage, so that it's not extra stressed during the occasional cold snap and having the soil compressed by your roller.

How many times could I go over? would a few times be ok?

[Randox]

7 hours ago, Seeker89 said:

How many times could I go over? would a few times be ok?

With the roller? Probably as many times as necessary. I do imagine that compressed soil is a stresses on grass, it is for any plant I've ever encountered, but thinking about it, the roller probably isn't heavy enough to do any real harm. Heck, I drove a zoom boom onto mine last year without thinking about it, and accidentally put a couple 3 inch depressions in lawn where it was particularly soft, and the grass survived. Was just thinking that you don't want to add more stress to the lawn than you need to, you want a good healthy start so the weeds don't take over (that's the theory anyway, though I have to figure anything good for the grass is good for everything else too, so who knows).

[LordFerret]

When you say the lawn is getting 'bumpy', I'll take it from frost heaves? I wouldn't roller it, not yet anyway, that would just compact the dirt and make hard spots. I would suggest looking into aerating first (and dethatching). The cores pulled can also be utilized to help smooth out, spread out / fill. The only thing I've ever seen a roller put to good use for is striping during a cut. You might want to go strike up a conversation with a groundskeeper (like at a golf course), and pick their brain about it.

[Seeker89]

2 hours ago, Randox said:

With the roller? Probably as many times as necessary. I do imagine that compressed soil is a stresses on grass, it is for any plant I've ever encountered, but thinking about it, the roller probably isn't heavy enough to do any real harm. Heck, I drove a zoom boom onto mine last year without thinking about it, and accidentally put a couple 3 inch depressions in lawn where it was particularly soft, and the grass survived. Was just thinking that you don't want to add more stress to the lawn than you need to, you want a good healthy start so the weeds don't take over (that's the theory anyway, though I have to figure anything good for the grass is good for everything else too, so who knows).

that's good to know, thank you. 

 

55 minutes ago, LordFerret said:

When you say the lawn is getting 'bumpy', I'll take it from frost heaves? I wouldn't roller it, not yet anyway, that would just compact the dirt and make hard spots. I would suggest looking into aerating first (and dethatching). The cores pulled can also be utilized to help smooth out, spread out / fill. The only thing I've ever seen a roller put to good use for is striping during a cut. You might want to go strike up a conversation with a groundskeeper (like at a golf course), and pick their brain about it.

Yeah, my lot is kinda large... 80 by 250 meters(meters or yards, can't remember).. and aerating sounds like a lot of work... My lawn doesn't need to be that good. But thanks anyways... 

[ColKlonk]

You can get those rollers with spikes (maybe hire it). Compacting it might create a 'clay' layer which will 'drown' the lawn

My lawn is a wierd one.. For 2-3 years it's perfect.. then it just dies within 3 months ??.

The only solution to this is the humble little mole.. they come in and churn up the garden = aerating it.

I then just redistribute the 'mountains' of soil... and viola the grass is back so thick and green.

It does get a bit lumpy.. but rather that than beach sand.

Edited April 29, 2016 by ColKlonk