Lawn stripes not only look smart, they can also be used to cover up imperfections in your grass such as variances in colour and growth.  The different bands created by lawn stripes help to break up the appearance of the surface of the lawn, effectively distracting the onlooker's eye from anomalies.

Here's a guide on how to create lawn stripes.

The right equipment

The best types of lawn mower for creating stripes are cylinder and rotary mowers with rear rollers.  Push along mowers and ride-on mowers can both be used to create lawn stripes.

Make sure that your mower blades are sharp so that the grass is cut evenly, and set them on a medium cutting height.

Planning

Before you begin, you'll need to have a clear idea in your mind of the direction in which you want the stripes to go.  It can be useful to jot your plan down on paper so that you have an aide memoir to work from.

Technique

Perfect stripes are achieved through systematic mowing and by using the right technique.  You must only push your mower forward when creating the stripes.  This allows the blades and the roller to push the blades of grass upright, creating the stripe. 

As you go, be sure to overlap each stripe slightly so that uncut strips of grass are not left in between them.  A good way of ensuring an even overlap is to position the wheels of your mower over each preceding stripe.

Creating lawn stripes

Begin by mowing along the edge of your lawn angled 90 degrees to the direction in which you want the stripes to run.  Then go back across the lawn, overlapping the first stripe.  Don't worry that these first stripes are not perfect; they are just there to make sure that you've cut the grass right up to the lawn's edge.

Now create your first permanent stripe by turning your mower through 90 degrees again and mowing along the edge of the lawn, following your planned direction for your stripes.  Do the same thing again at the other end of the lawn.

Fill in the remainder of the stripes over the middle area of the lawn, turning the mower through 180 degrees at each turn.  When you've finished, you should have a perfect pattern of evenly mown stripes.

Smart lawn stripes can be achieved by following the guidelines set out above.  Don't panic if your first attempt is less than perfect; the best results are achieved through practice.  By the end of the summer, your immaculately striped lawn will be the envy of all your neighbours!