Proper maintenance of your lawn mower prolongs the life of the equipment and keeps it working at its best. Take care of the mower, your yard and your peace of mind during busy times of the year in the garden by cleaning the machine after every mowing session. Use this 10-point ultimate maintenance checklist at the end of the mowing season.

1. Change the oil. Dirty or old oil loses its ability to lubricate your mower engine and can lead to costly repairs and shorter engine life. 
2. Change the air filter. A clogged or dirty air filter means your engine will not have the power you need to mow efficiently. New paper or foam filters are inexpensive and easily swapped out of the air filter compartment.
   
3. Replace the spark plug. Do this annually, and anytime you experience rough idling, misfiring or trouble starting your mower. Always use the correct plug for your mower, and periodically check the spark plug for excessive wear or obvious signs of contamination. 
4. Sharpen the mower blades. A couple of times a year, sharpen the blades so they make a clean, even grass cut and preserve lawn health and vigor while reducing stress on your mower. Blade sharpening with hand tools or a grinder at the end of the year means your equipment will always perform at its best and be ready to go first thing in the spring. 
5. Inspect the cords. Replace any that show signs of wear or fraying. Check your gas-powered mower pull cord and safety cables, and all power cords, cables, vents and battery connections for electric- or battery-powered mowers. 
6. Examine all the nuts and bolts. You find these on the mower chassis, wheels, handles and safety features, such as a kill switch, release or bail bar, and discharge guards. Lubricate, tighten or replace as necessary.
7. Drain the gas tank. Do this before storage, or use a gas stabilizer product to prevent gas deterioration over time. Stale gas has fewer volatiles and will not burn efficiently, if at all.
8. Clean and dry your mower thoroughly. Undertake this task before storing the machine for winter. Inspect the grass bag for wear and tear after cleaning. 
9. Store your mower. Keep it in a dry location protected from the elements during the off-season.
10. Visually inspect the mower. In the spring, or after any appreciable length of time in storage, conduct a thorough visual inspection before starting up.

Follow this 10-point checklist and all safety and maintenance protocols recommended by your mower manufacturer. As a result, your lawn mower should run trouble-free, cut grass effortlessly and keep your lawn trim and healthy for years to come.

Perhaps you habitually mow every Saturday morning. While that might be enough to make the Homeowner's Association (HOA) happy or keep up with the basic lawn care you should complete, you may take your landscaping to the next level with finished edges and clean borders. However, if you want the best-dressed lawn on the block, it helps to consider the latest edging ideas for around gardens, flower beds or lawns. 

1. Recycled Plastic Edging 

In today's world, recycling in any way you can help the environment. Fortunately, this edging method gives you the best of both worlds — sustainability and style. 

You may find these borders at almost any garden center. Choose to place it on its own or stake it down for extra stability. This border is rather easy to install for the typical DIYer. It just requires some digging, positioning and covering up.

2. Bricks

Bricks and clay brick pavers are rather inexpensive but give your yard a unique look. When using them as a border, dig where you want them and situate them accordingly. If you decide to make them flush with your garden or yard, you may mow over them with the lawn mower without damaging your blade, and you won't need a weed whacker or edger in most cases. 

3. Stones 

Get creative and use either natural, man-made or paving stones as a border. They're relatively easy to install, but you may need professional assistance with the paving stones, especially if you're cementing them in. 

4. Soil or Mulch Edging

This type of edging requires you to do a bit of work to maintain it with an edger. However, it's a natural, clean look and simple to do yourself. 

5. Cedar Wood Edging 

If you purchase cedar, rot-resistant edging, you won't have to worry about rotting due to the weather. You may choose to finish it with a protective coat or stain or leave it natural and let it run its course. Hold this material in place using wooden stakes positioned at equal intervals. This option still needs edging but doesn't require any other maintenance. 

6. Living Garden Edging 

Living garden edging consists of planting low-growing greenery that cascades over the border. This is the most natural-looking option and easiest to maintain. An example is a Japanese Boxwood. 

7. Trench Edging 

This is a highly inexpensive option since you're digging the dirt you already placed. Dig the dirt at the garden's edge slightly deeper than the path or lawn. You can choose to line the trench with rocks or another landscaping material or leave it plain. This requires little maintenance and care. 

Your edging is one detail that can turn a so-so yard up a notch. In some cases, it can reduce your lawn care, and you may even find a cost-efficient method.