How to Achieve Perfect Lawn Stripes This Summer

 

With the tennis at Wimbledon in full swing, and cricket against India about to resume, it’s the perfect time for lawncare connoisseurs to admire the sight of perfectly striped grass. As quintessentially English as strawberries and cream or an MCC silk tie, the immaculate lines seen on Centre Court or stretching across the pitch at Lord’s are more than just sporting tradition—they’re a reminder of how effective striping can transform a lawn from plain to pristine.

The good news for us sports-loving gardeners sitting at home is that you don’t need to own a stadium to enjoy the same results. With the right equipment and a bit of practice, your own lawn can boast stripes worthy of any special occasion. In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to create lawn stripes, and then introduce you to the best machines for the job—all of which are available here, at Ron Smith.

How Lawn Stripes Are Made

Lawn striping is all about light and direction. The contrasting light and dark stripes are created by bending the blades of grass in opposite directions to reflect or absorb light. Grass that is bent away from you reflects it to appear lighter, while grass bent towards you absorbs it and looks darker.

To create these lines, you need a mower with a roller, which presses down on the grass after it’s been cut, flattening it in one direction. Generally speaking, the heavier the roller, the sharper the bend in the grass blades and the more defined your stripes. When striping a lawn, grass health and length are extremely important because a lush, well-maintained lawn with longer grass blades will produce bolder, more impressive stripes.

Our Simple Guide for Perfect Lawn Stripes

To enjoy the sight of a beautifully striped lawn in your own garden, you’ll need to do the following:

Lawn Preparation

Start by ensuring your lawn is in tip-top condition. Remove weeds, overseed any patchy areas, and give the grass time to green up if needed. Once your lawn is healthy and has grown to a good length, begin by mowing the perimeter to create a clean frame within which to work.

Set Cutting Height and Mow

Set your mower to a high cutting level as this encourages the grass to bend and reflect light more effectively. Then mow your first stripe in a straight line from one end of the lawn to the other. When you reach the end, turn the mower around and mow the next line in the opposite direction, slightly overlapping each pass to ensure an even finish.

And Once You’re Done…

For added definition, you can make a second pass following the same pattern. And if you want a truly professional finish, keep the edges sharp with a lawn edger or strimmer. Also, be sure to alternate your mowing direction every few weeks to prevent flattening the grass too severely in one direction.

Why Allett Cylinder Mowers Are the Gold Standard for Lawn Stripes

While most lawnmowers with rollers can create stripes, none do it quite as beautifully as an Allett cylinder mower. These machines feature full-width front and rear rollers, giving you perfectly even ground pressure and unmatched striping consistency. Unlike mowers with wheels or tyres that may leave point pressure marks, Allett’s rollers produce continuous, elegant lines.

Allett mowers are built for serious lawn enthusiasts. Their robust construction, professional-grade features, and commitment to cutting excellence make them the go-to choice for homeowners and professionals who take their lawn presentation seriously. As an authorised Allett Sports Pro Dealer, we can supply the full Allett range, including specialist models ideal for formal lawns, gardens, parks and sports pitches.

To whet your appetite, let’s take a look at three very different models of Allett mower, right now…

Allett Buckingham 24H Petrol Cylinder Mower

This high-performance petrol cylinder mower is perfect for formal lawns and large gardens. With a 24-inch (61cm) cutting width, the Buckingham 24H features a 196cc Honda engine, six-bladed cutting cylinder, and ultra-high-precision height adjustment.

A split rear roller, with rubber covering and traction grooves, reduces turf scuffing during turns and makes keeping a straight line easy. The optional trailing seat with Autosteer allows users to ride behind and still cut accurately around edges and borders.

Allett Kensington 17B Petrol Cylinder Mower

Designed for home gardeners with medium to large lawns, the Kensington 17B is one of Allett’s most popular cylinder mowers. It includes a 17-inch (43.2cm) cutting width and supports the full Allett cartridge system for tasks such as scarifying, aerating and brushing.

Other notable features include a choice of premium engines, micro cutting height adjustment, zinc plated steel front roller and heavy-duty steel rear roller. The six-bladed cutting cylinder delivers 79 cuts per metre.

Allett Stirling 51 Cordless Cylinder Mower

Combining a powerful EGO 56V battery system with ProDrive™ motor and Allett’s most advanced cartridge system yet, the Stirling 51 brings traditional lawn striping into the high-tech age.

Whisper quiet when operating, this cylinder mower comes with handlebar-controlled rear-roller speed, RotoShift™ speed control, HiteRite™ cutting height adjustment, and SureBlade™ blade settings. The front-mounted, tapered grass bag further enhances operator comfort and performance, making it the ideal machine for forward-thinking lawncare perfectionists.

Finish Your Lawn with a Flourish

A striped lawn doesn’t just look great—it says something about your care and attention to detail. Whether you’re setting the scene for a summer garden party or simply want to relax in a beautifully kept space, stripes bring style, structure and pride to your lawn.

Roller Mowers for Every Lawn

Allett might set the benchmark, but you don’t need to invest in a premium cylinder mower to enjoy great striping results. At Ron Smith & Co, we offer a market-leading selection of roller lawnmowers to suit every budget. This includes battery, electric, and petrol lawnmowers made by trusted manufacturers, in a wide range of styles, and with a variety of cutting widths. So, whether you’re a novice gardener buying your first roller mower or a seasoned lawncare expert seeking pro-level stripes, we’ve got the perfect mower with roller for you.

And if you have your heart set on an Allett mower not currently shown on our website, don’t worry. As a fully authorised Allett Sports Pro Dealer, we can access and supply any model in the Allett line-up. Get in touch with our team of Lawnmower Experts to find out more. The perfect stripes start here.