Dan Cahill: Want the best lawn in the street for Aussie day? You’re probably mowing it wrong
Announcement posted by Invigorate PR 13 Jan 2026
Australians obsessed with perfect green lawns are being told the secret isn't fertiliser, fancy seed or expensive gear, it's how you mow.
According to Jim's Mowing, one of the biggest reasons lawns look thin, patchy or yellow isn't weather or soil quality, it's incorrect mowing habits.
"Most people are mowing too short, too infrequently and in the wrong way," Jim's Mowing division owner, Dan Cahill said.
"There is actually an art to growing a thick, healthy lawn and once you understand it, the results are dramatic."
Dan Cahill knows a thing or two about grass. Across the Jim's Group, they call him the 'Lawn Whisperer'. Cahill heads up the group's entire Jim's Mowing division and is responsible for growing and supporting the division's franchisee base nationally.
Why mowing the wrong way ruins your lawn
Cahill said scalping the lawn is the fastest way to weaken it.
"When grass is cut too short, it goes into stress mode," Cahill said.
"It stops growing properly, thins out and gives weeds the perfect opportunity to take over."
Short mowing also exposes soil to heat and sun, drying it out faster and leading to yellow patches that many homeowners mistake for disease or nutrient deficiency.
"If you're getting yellow spots, nine times out of ten you're not mowing correctly," Cahill said.
"Unfortunately, a lot of people mow this way because they think this is the most economical and the grass will grow back stronger, but it doesn't. It has the opposite effect."
Mow more often, not shorter
One of the biggest myths in lawn care is that mowing less often is better.
"In reality, mowing regularly encourages grass to grow thicker," Cahill said.
"Each cut stimulates lateral growth, which is what gives you that lush, carpet-like lawn."
Letting grass grow too long and then cutting it back hard shocks the plant and slows recovery.
Mow high for a thicker, greener lawn
Cahill recommended keeping mower blades set higher than most people expect.
"Longer grass shades the soil, retains moisture and strengthens the root system," Cahill said.
"It also naturally suppresses weeds by blocking sunlight."
A higher cut creates stronger turf that handles heat, foot traffic and summer stress far better than closely shaved lawns.
Water properly and your lawn will reward you
Watering also plays a crucial role, but timing matters.
"For standard soil environments, deep, less frequent watering encourages roots to grow downwards," Cahill said.
"That's what builds resilience and keeps lawns greener for longer."
Light, frequent watering does the opposite, creating shallow roots and weaker grass. Cahill also added that if you live near the coast and your soil is quite sandy, sand does not hold moisture very well so in this case you will need to water the lawn often.
The secret to lawn envy
According to Cahill, the best lawns aren't the result of luck or expensive products, they're built through consistent technique.
"Mow regularly, mow high and water well," Cahill said.
"Do those three things properly and your lawn will grow faster, thicker and greener, with fewer weeds."
"And yes, once you get it right, you'll absolutely have the best lawn in the street. Your front lawn is your welcome mat to your home. It also improves the overall appearance and helps to increases the value. Visual impact is important."
About Jim's Group
Jim's Group was founded by Jim Penman in 1989 and now has some 5,550 franchisees in more than 50 divisions. It is the largest franchise chain in the Southern Hemisphere.