A perfectly trimmed lawn is a showcase for residents that comes with a considerable investment of time and labor. However, you can deal with mowing in a completely different way – by investing in a mowing robot! This automatic helper works tirelessly – all you need to do is properly prepare the area for him. What to keep in mind?
Think like a robot
The use of a robotic mower on one’s own plot is now one of the most modern ways of lawn care. This device works similarly to an automatic vacuum cleaner; it intelligently uses special sensors and does not leave a single blade of uncut grass on the vast area. A prerequisite for the success of such a project is the proper installation of a boundary wire, which will mark the area where the automatic mower will move, and a base, or docking station, which it enters, after it has finished working or when the battery charge is too low. The wire should be laid out to define the mowing zones, while separating landscaping elements, which include gazebos, steps, fruit and vegetable beds, ponds, etc.
When designing paved surfaces in The garden and the location of individual landscaping elements, so it’s worth thinking like a robot – this will make mowing more efficient and go without interference from householders.
It is worth planning wider lanes with Paving blocks, paving slabs that will separate the facade of the building, decorative walls or fence from lawn, a w In the case of slopes, pools or Underground garage entrances, ensure that the boundary wire is about a meter from the obstacle. Group the plantings in a few strategic areas of the greenery, and avoid narrow passages through which the robot will not pass – if there are any on the plot, line them with pavers or slabs, or backfill them with bark or fine gravel. Otherwise, these zones will have to be mowed by hand.
Mowing robots “don’t like” compiled and excessively sloped areas. Differences in levels on the plot, too much unevenness in the terrain or even trees or shrubs planted in the middle of the lawn can also be obstacles. This type of equipment performs best on flat, rectangular areas with a slope of a few to approx. 30%.
Plan your edging
The ground over which the mowing robot will move should be stabilized and level, and prepared in such a way as to almost completely reduce the need for manual trimming. Helpful in achieving this will be the so-called “bands”, which are special borders separating different parts of the garden (such as lawn from pavers, lawn from decorative pebbles, grit, etc.).
Such bands can be made of paving blocks or slabs, eco-borders, and appropriately sized sidewalk edging will also work well. In addition to facilitating the work of the mowing machine, they organize the space and protect the paving from spreading.
In order for the ties to perform their function, it is important to make sure that their level is equal to the level of the lawn. If it is too high or low, the mower will get hung up on the resulting threshold, bury or stop working altogether. Such bands are worth making near walls, around buildings or landscaping elements, as well as around flower beds, shrubs, a terrace or a playground, so that the device will be able to freely drive one wheel on the pavement, mowing all blades of grass.
In addition to ensuring equal ground level for the mowing robot, the widths of the edges to be made are important. In many cases, the values depend on the specific model of the device, but about 16 cm can be taken as a universal size. The exception will be areas bordered by vertical obstacles, which are walls, higher curbs, a building facade, gazebo, fence or stairs. Then the border should be from 20 to even 25 cm wide. This will prevent the robot from bouncing off these elements and scratching the housing.
The requirements for the function to be fulfilled by edging in a garden, where mowing is the task of an automatic robot, do not meet all the materials available on the market. If the edging is made of loose products such as gravel or bark, high curbs or irregularly shaped solutions, the device will either do its job imprecisely, or leave blades or strips of grass that will have to be trimmed by hand. You’ll get a similar effect with cascading edges or those that are too narrow, which will prevent the shears from reaching all the nooks and crannies of the greenery.
Reduce obstacles
Obstacles for the mowing robot are not only level differences on the plot, landscaping elements such as swings and trampolines, or individual shrubs. They will also be small toys, larger stones, sticks, garden hoses and gardening tools. So it’s worth making a habit of not leaving these things in the mowing area, or periodically collecting them before the unit goes about its duties.
If you dream of a neat garden without effort, buying a robotic mower is a hit. With such a helper, with proper preparation of the area and planning the run of paved paths and borders, mowing will become a thing of the past! So, a good greenery design is the key to getting the most out of your robotic mower.
