Cutting long grass with a push mower works best when you mow in short forward-and-back passes to keep the revs up and the cut clean, though the exact time depends on how overgrown the lawn is. You will need a rotary mower, a catcher, and a grass bag for the clippings. This guide breaks down Jim Penman’s method step by step and explains when a Jim’s Mowing professional is the better option.
Watch Jim Penman cut long grass above, or keep reading for the step-by-step breakdown.
What Do You Need to Cut Long Grass Properly?
You do not need a long list of gear for this method, but the setup does matter.
You will need:
- A rotary mower
- A mower catcher
- A grass bag
- Enough space behind you to empty the catcher as you work
Jim Penman, founder of Jim’s Group, makes one thing clear straight away. This method should be done with a catcher on the mower so you are picking the clippings up clean.
That matters because long grass can get messy fast. If you try to rush through it without collecting the clippings, the finish will usually look rough, and the job becomes harder to manage.
How Do You Cut Long Grass With a Push Mower?
This is not the same as mowing a lawn that gets cut every week. Long grass needs a slower, more controlled method.
Step 1: Start in a Straight Line
Jim says the important thing when mowing grass is to cut in a straight line.
That still applies here. A straight run helps you stay tidy, keeps the overlap consistent, and makes it easier to see what you have already done.
At the end of each run, turn around smoothly and overlap just a little. That helps avoid missed strips and keeps the pattern clean.
Step 2: Push Forward Until the Mower Starts to Lose Revs
When the grass is very long, do not just keep pushing forward and hope for the best.
Jim’s method is to push the mower into the long grass until it starts to lose revs. That is the point where the mower is telling you it is working too hard.
Once that happens, do not force it. Change direction instead.
Step 3: Pull the Mower Back Over the Same Spot
This is the key part of the method.
After pushing forward into the long grass, pull the mower backwards over the same area. That gives the mower another chance to cut the grass cleanly without bogging down.
Jim explains that this means the grass is effectively getting cut twice. It might look a bit slow from the outside, but it is actually an efficient way to handle thick growth while keeping the finish neat.
Step 4: Empty the Catcher Before It Gets Too Full
As soon as the catcher starts to fill, stop and empty it.
Jim says not to let it get too full. Take it off, dump it into the grass bag behind you, then put it back on and keep going.
This is important for two reasons. First, it keeps the mower working properly. Second, it stops the job from turning into a mess halfway through.
Step 5: Move Slightly to the Right Before the Next Pass
Once the catcher is back on, move to the right a bit before starting again.
Jim explains why. A rotary mower cuts clockwise, so it cuts from the left-hand side. That means your overlap needs to work with the mower’s cutting action.
This is a small detail, but it makes a difference. If you ignore it, you are more likely to leave behind uneven patches.
Step 6: Overlap as Much as the Grass Requires
There is no fixed overlap measurement in the demo.
Jim’s advice is simple. Overlap as much as you need to. If the grass is very thick, overlap more. If it is lighter, you may not need as much.
The point is not to follow a rigid rule. The point is to keep the mower cutting cleanly and stop the revs from dropping too far.
Step 7: Keep the Revs Up the Whole Time
Jim says never let the revs get down. That is the signal that the mower is struggling.
The whole forward-and-back method is built around keeping the revs up. If you do that, the mower stays cleaner, the cut stays neater, and the job is less frustrating.
Step 8: Repeat the Pattern Across the Lawn
From there, you keep repeating the same pattern:
- Push forward into the grass
- Pull back over the same spot
- Empty the catcher when needed
- Move slightly to the right
- Overlap properly
- Keep the revs up
Jim points out that even though it can seem laborious, it is actually quite efficient. You are not charging through the lawn. You are working through it properly, which usually gives a better finish.
Step 9: Check the Final Result
Jim says this method leaves a very clean job.
He does note that the grass can look a bit yellowish underneath because it has been cut so low. That is not a sign the method failed. It just means the taller top growth was hiding what was underneath.
Success here looks like a clean, even cut with the clippings picked up properly and no heavy clumps left behind.
Why Does This Method Work So Well on Very Long Grass?
It works because it deals with the two biggest problems in long grass.
The first problem is mower strain. If you keep pushing into thick growth in one direction, the revs drop, and the mower starts to struggle.
The second problem is the finish quality. Long grass can look hacked up fast if you do not control the cut or collect the clippings properly.
Jim’s method solves both. The forward-and-back movement helps the mower cut the same patch twice without overloading it. Emptying the catcher early keeps airflow and collection working properly. The overlap keeps the lawn looking even instead of patchy.
That is also why Jim says clients love the result. In his words, he has never had a complaint about that method.
What Mistakes Should You Avoid When Mowing Long Grass?
The most common mistake is trying to mow long grass the same way you would mow a normal lawn.
That usually leads to poor cut quality, a struggling mower, and more mess on the ground.
Another mistake is letting the catcher get too full. Once that happens, the mower becomes less efficient, and the clean finish starts to disappear.
Poor overlap is another problem. If you move across too quickly or ignore how the mower cuts, you can leave strips of grass behind.
The biggest mistake of all is letting the revs drop too far. Jim is very clear on that point. Never let the revs get down.
If the mower sounds like it is labouring, do not keep forcing it forward. Pull back, reset, and keep working in controlled passes.
When Should You Call a Professional Instead?
This method is useful for managing overgrown grass when you have the right mower setup and enough time to do it properly.
DIY is not always the best option.
Call a professional if:
- The grass is extremely overgrown
- The area is large
- The block is uneven or hard to move across safely
- Your mower keeps losing revs, even with careful overlap
- You do not have a catcher or a proper collection setup
- You want a clean result without spending time on trial and error
This is where Jim’s Mowing becomes the better option. A local Jim’s Mowing franchisee can assess the lawn, quote the job, and handle anything from standard lawn mowing to heavier overgrowth work.
If the grass is beyond a normal push mower job, it may also need a broader lawn care or grass slashing approach rather than a simple home mow.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cutting Long Grass
Yes, you can, as long as you use a controlled method and the mower has a catcher.
Jim’s demo explains this technique using the mower when it is not in self-drive mode.
Because it helps cut the same area twice and keeps the revs up instead of forcing the mower through thick grass in one go.
Do not let it get too full. Empty it once it starts filling up so the mower keeps working properly.
Because a rotary mower cuts clockwise and works from the left-hand side, moving to the right helps the overlap line up properly.
Because the long top growth has been removed, the lower grass underneath has not seen as much light.
Need Help With an Overgrown Lawn?
Cutting long grass is possible with a push mower if you use the right technique, stay patient, and keep the revs up.
But not every lawn is worth tackling on your own. If the grass is too heavy, the area is too big, or you just want it done cleanly the first time, contact Jim’s Mowing and get a quote from a local professional.