If you haven't already done so, it is time to apply a pre-emergent weed killer on your lawn. Choose one that has fertilizer to help jump start your lawn. Remember it must be watered in within twenty-four to thirty-six hours after application. If you do not have an underground sprinkler system or are not inclined to drag out the water sprinkler and move it around, have your pre-emergent on hand and be ready to get it down just ahead of a rain.
If you did not winterize your mower last fall you will need to drain the oil and fill with fresh oil. Pull the spark plug and clean by brushing with a stiff brush (I like to use a small brush with brass bristles). Check the plug gap according to your owners manual and adjust if necessary. Make sure the spark plug ceramic top is not cracked or broken - replace if it is. Install a new air filter. I hope you did not leave any gasoline in the tank. If so, drain it and replace with fresh gas. Gum deposits may have formed over the winter and your mower may be hard to start.
One of the most important things to do is sharpen your mower blade!! A dull blade does not cut grass but tears it. Grass blade tips that are torn do not heal over quickly and exposes the grass to various things that can harm it. Another negative consequence of tearing the grass is it promotes brown tip - appropriately named because the tip of the grass blades are lose their nice, healthy green color and turn brown. To reduce and/or avoid brown time on my lawn, I sharpen my blade after every two mowings. This might sound excessive but after twenty-eight years of caring for grass I have determined this to be the most beneficial mowing practice for optimum cutting results.
One last thing. Please don't mow that grass too short especially in really hot weather! Set the mower to either the highest or next highest setting and leave it there.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Yard care and yard equipment time is here
Labels:
fertlizer,
grass,
lawn,
lawn mower maintenance,
spring,
weed killer
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