How Good is Robot Mowing?
How Good is Robot Mowing?: David Hedges Gower, chairman of The Lawn Association, offers his view on robot mowers.
Sales is a funny thing. Of course, to sell is good, especially if you’re in sales. And sales and marketing go hand in hand. The secret of sales and marketing? I have no idea, but I guess it’s to create a product or service we think we need, want to buy, and can’t live without. I’m not a salesperson and don’t claim to be but its in that ball part.
How Good is Robot Mowing?
But when it comes to mowers—and especially robot mowers—we have so many people giving opinions on them. The consumer, like with many things, has the unenviable task of sifting through YouTube videos, social media channels, and countless reviews to figure out which one might be the best. Is it cost? Colour? The size of the sales and marketing budget?
The truth is, when it comes to robot mowers, what we really need to know is: what would an actual expert say? How good are they for your lawn? Is the investment worth it? As wonderful as some online channels may be, they rarely ask an actual lawn expert.
Lawn Mowing is Pruning
Lawn mowing is, simply put, a pruning technique for your lawn. Of course, we never see it as that. It just needs cutting… again. But ask any horticulturist, and they’ll tell you: pruning most plants the right way isn’t just useful—it’s essential.
Pruning diverts energy. When we cut the top of a hedge, the sides thicken—all on their own, with a little help from us. That same principle applies to our native lawns in the UK (sadly, not that awful ryegrass we see too often). Mowing as often as we can is priceless and one that can be very time consuming.
The rise of the robot mower
So, step in the rise of the robot mower. Are they good for lawns or not? Here’s where the advice of a lawn expert matters most. It’s easy for anyone to talk about how good they think a particular model might be. But not when they are not a lawn expert. What botanical benefits are there to mowing, mowing regularly and what can we do to improve further still?
So, how good is robot mowing for the lawn itself?
Using a robot mower, done consistently for up to seven days during good growth periods, could give you at least 50% more grass cover than a cylinder or rotary mower. Quite a statement, but probably true based upon mowing once a week or fortnight. Of course, even robot mower manufacturers have sales and marketing teams working hard to promote them, but for a lawn expert, the benefits are very straightforward:
- Regular Pruning and Tidiness:Frequent mowing thickens the grass, enhances the root systems leading to a stronger, healthier lawn
- Healthier Lawn and Ecosystem:A drier plant (where the grass is constantly trimmed) is less vulnerable to disease meaning practically no pesticide requirement
- Natural Lawn Feeding:Clippings act as both extra food and water when returned to the grass.
- Reduced Compaction:Robot mowers’ lightweight design prevents wear and tear, all through winter too.
There are eco-friendly perks too. Thicker lawns means less need for over seeding, which means less watering, and less effort overall. You’ll also have more time to enjoy the rest of your garden—or simply relax.
Choosing a Mower: A Personal Choice
Mowers are like cars. They all do a similar task, but we buy them for different reasons. Maybe it’s the shape, the colour, or even the design of the controls. Perhaps it’s a trusted local dealer or a brand you’ve relied on for years. Whatever your reasons, the right mower depends on what you value most.
The Future is Robotic
Robot mowers aren’t perfect, but they’re the future. Stripes on your lawn? Roller mowers still have the edge for now, but robots will soon master that too. Feeding and watering? They already handle that naturally with clippings and improved soil moisture retention. Less compaction means better water usage, and reduced pesticide use. Tick, tick, and tick.
Here’s a Bill Gates moment: these will be in every house one day. If we choose the right plants for our lawns, feed them sustainably, and reduce compaction (leading to less water use), lawns have a very sustainable future.
But don’t just take it from me…
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