Supplies
That roller is the key. As in many DIY projects, the concept behind mowing checkerboard patterns is remarkably simple and is based on the fact that the roller will push and bend the grass in one direction, causing it to mat down. You just have to have the right equipment. It also helps to have the right kind of lawn grass: Generally speaking, cool-season grasses are better for striping than are warm-season grasses.
Instructions
Achieve a checkerboard pattern in the grass by following these few easy steps if you are using a walk-behind mower (the basic concept applies more or less in the same way to riding mowers):
Tips for Beginners
The stripes that you are creating in mowing a checkerboard pattern are really just an optical illusion. The appearance of stripes results from the way light reflects off the blades of grass in each row. When the roller has bent the blades towards you, the result is a dark-looking stripe; the grass blades bent the other way seem to be lighter. When mowing checkerboard patterns into your lawn, do not forget the same old, basic rules that apply to mowing grass regardless of whether or not you are creating patterns.
