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Getting Your Mower Ready for the Season

MAY 18, 2020

When we think of jobs for spring, mowing typically tops the list, and we often find ourselves unprepared for the first cutting, even though we know spring is coming. Before you find yourself starting work with a mower that's not quite ready for use, follow these simple steps to get it ready to go.

Change the Oil

Oil is the lifeblood of any engine, and your lawn mower is no exception. It's a good idea at the beginning of the season to change the oil so that it can provide the best possible lubrication to the moving parts inside the motor, maximizing the lawn mower's life. Be sure to use the appropriate type of oil and to check it before each use. If it gets low, add oil to get it back to the right level.

Check the Spark Plug

If oil is the blood, the spark plug might be the brain. Over time, spark plugs can get coated with soot or become so worn that they don't provide a reliable spark to keep the motor running. The result is a rough-running motor that doesn't perform well. Remove the spark plug, and check its condition. Be sure that the gap is the right size and that the plug appears clean and shiny.

Sharpen the Blade

A sharp blade is key to a well-cut and healthy lawn. Dull blades will break grass instead of cutting it, creating an opening that allows disease infection. A dull blade will also struggle to get through thick grass. To sharpen the blade, you need to first remove the spark plug wire. The motor could start and cause injuries if you don't. Then remove the blade, and sharpen the cutting edge. Aim for a 45-degree angle; if it's duller than that, it won't perform well. If it's sharper, the edge will chip off and become dull. After sharpening, hang the blade on a nail to make sure it's balanced. If one side is too heavy, remove a little more edge. This will minimize the strain on your motor.

Replace the Fuel

At your last mowing in the fall, the ideal step would have been to let the mower run until it ran out of gas. The second-best option was to add a fuel stabilizer. If you did neither, the cold weather could have allowed water to condense inside the tank, diluting the gas and impairing performance. Safely draw the old fuel out of the tank, and dispose of it properly. Then add fresh gas, and get ready to mow.

Proper maintenance is key to a long life for your mower and a beautiful lawn. As you make your to-do list for spring cleaning, include these easy maintenance steps for your mower so that you'll have a safe, efficient experience in mowing your lawn this year. Taken along with the recommendations from the owner's manual, your mower will be in top condition as that fast-growing grass in your yard.

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How to Professionally Design Your Yard for Maximum Enjoyment

MAY 15, 2020

Landscaping isn’t difficult to do. You can save a large amount of money by landscaping your yard by yourself. All you need to do is stick to certain rules. Be sure to take it slow and steady. Yard work can be hard work. It’s better if you enjoy the process and do it little by little. Let’s explore some simple steps to beautify your yard.

Color Theme

Many landscapers stick to choosing three colors when planting flowers. For example, you might choose red, yellow and blue or pink, white and purple. You can use different shades of the same colors throughout the garden. Group each plant type together, and stagger each grouping. If you’re feeling more adventurous, you don’t need to limit yourself to three colors in your yard. Although, you will need to focus on some amount of contrast to allow your eyes to focus on certain areas of your yard. By all means, choose colors that make you feel happy and peaceful. This will help you to enjoy your yard more and be more productive.

Height

You don’t want to choose flowers that are of the same height unless you’ll be looking down on flower beds that are in a small area. It’s better to place taller flowers in the back with descending levels of flowers so that you can see them all. This works for flowers that are placed against the house or another tall structure. However, if you are placing flowers in a raised area, you will want the tallest flowers in the middle and arrange the other flowers in terms of height in descending order as well. Keep in mind that you will need good rooting to avoid substantial water runoff when planting flowers on raised areas of the yard.

Shade and Privacy

Flowers are beautiful to look at and pleasant to smell, but they can help to create shade and privacy. Consider how vines can cling to and adorn trellises, canopies or pergolas. You can use flowering vines to add shade to your yard and create a little hideaway to have your coffee or tea or to read a book. Think of where nearby neighbors can see you in your yard, and set up a place to add features that will give you added privacy.

Draw It Out

Before you ever begin with planting or anything else, you will need to plan out your desired garden according to scale. Measure the perimeter of your yard and draw in key features. For example, you’ll want to mark your driveway, your house, walkways and anything else you’d need to add. You might want to add places you want increased privacy or any other desired features. This will let you know the types of plants and other vegetation you’ll want to plant there to achieve your goals.

Once you have drawn everything out and decided on the plants you want, you’ll be ready to begin. Decide on a certain time amount to work in your yard each day and the tasks you’ll need to start on first. You’ll make steady progress in this way. Once you’re finished, take time to enjoy your yard.