Best lawn mower for stripes: how to create a manicured garden

If you are looking for a lawn mower that can create stripes on your beloved lawn, you've come to the right place. Lawn stripes are considered a gardening technique that is commonly used on sports fields and public lawns, but you can create them in your own garden too. Despite looking pretty tricky to achieve, the stripes are made by bending the blades of grass in different directions, creating a contrast with your lawn mower.

Last chance Black Friday deals on lawn mowers for stripes

We interrupt the regularly scheduled content to let you know that although Black Friday is over, there's still time to grab some last chance Black Friday deals on lawn mowers. These are the retailers that still have deals available, or keep scrolling to continue reading our buyer’s guide.

Shop the best lawn mowers for stripes deals: Amazon UK | B&Q | Appliances Direct | Just Lawn Mowers

27% off: Flymo Chevron 32 V Electric Wheeled Lawn Mower WAS £104.99, NOW £97.10
Save £42: Flymo SimpliStore 340 Li 34cm Cordless Rotary Lawnmower, WAS £280, NOW £238
9% off: Cobra RM40C 40cm Push Petrol Rear Roller Lawn Mower, WAS £348.99, NOW £319.98

Achieving the perfect lawn stripes requires proper mowing techniques and the right equipment. It is essential to have a lawn mower with a rear roller or a striping kit and to follow a consistent mowing pattern to get the best results. Additionally, regular lawn maintenance, including watering, using fertiliser, and lawn care, will help keep the grass healthy and vibrant, enhancing the overall appearance of the stripes.

We've scoured the internet for the best lawn mowers that will create picture-perfect stripes in your lawn. From electric and cordless lawn mowers to lawn mowers that are suited to larger lawns.

Best lawn mowers for stripes at a glance:

• Best overall: Flymo Chevron 32VC Electric Wheeled Lawnmower - View now on Amazon UK
• Best lightweight: Flymo Easistore 340R 34cm Corded Rotary Lawnmower - View now on Argos
• Best cordless: LawnMaster MX 24V 34cm Cordless Lawnmower - View now on Amazon UK

Best lawn mowers for stripes

FAQs

Do people have stripes on their lawns?

Yes! Many gardeners still love the 'stripey lawn' effect, especially those with bigger garden spaces. Often seen on golf courses and sports fields, they enjoy creating stripes in their lawns as a way to showcase their landscaping skills and enhance the overall kept look of their garden. The stripes are achieved by using a lawn mower equipped with a rear roller or a striping kit.

When you mow the grass in one direction, the rear roller or striping kit flattens the grass blades in that direction, creating a darker shade. When you mow in the opposite direction, the grass blades are bent in the opposite direction, reflecting light differently and creating a lighter shade. This contrast between light and dark creates the striped effect.

What is a rear roller on a lawn mower?

A rear roller is a cylinder bar or drum located at the rear of the cutting deck, parallel to the ground. It serves several functions including:

Striping effect: The main purpose of a rear roller is to create a striped pattern on the lawn. When the lawn mower moves forward, the roller gently pressures down on the grass blades as they are cut.

Lawn flattening: The roller also helps to even out the surface of the lawn, helping to flatten any uneven spots.

Improved maneuverability: Having a rear roller can also enhance the maneuverability of a lawn mower as it provides stability and helps guide the mower along a straight path.

Grass collection: Some lawn mowers with rear rollers come with grass collection bags attached. The roller can help push grass into the collection bag more easily.

It's important to note that rear rollers are typically found on specific types of lawn mowers, such as rotary mowers and cylinder mowers.

What to read next:

Robot lawn mowers worth investing in to make grass cutting easy

Best ride-on lawn mower in the UK

Petrol lawn mowers to make trimming larger gardens easy

Hannah Mellin is a Homes & Garden Product Writer for Modern Gardens, A Modern Kitchen, Yours and Take A Break. She has been working in the Journalism industry for over a decade and has written for an array of brands including John Lewis, Daily Mirror and Grazia. When she's not writing, researching or testing products, she's renovating her Victorian terrace and chilling in the garden with her sausage dog Waffle.