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The perfect home doesn't always come complete with a perfect lawn. But with proper care,
an ailing lawn can be brought back to life and become the envy of the neighborhood, so
here are some lawn care and mower maintenance tips:
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Fertilize
Rapid spring growth steals a lot of nutrients in the soil, so it's best to replace the missing
nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium with lawn fertilizer. Feed the lawn about a month after
it starts growing and then feed it again about a month before it goes dormant. Use a top-
quality fertilizer with a high percentage of slow-release nitrogen. Doing so encourages a
deep root system, and deep roots are the key to a healthy stand of grass.
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Water correctly and fight weeds
Look for clues to know when to water. The leaves will curl to conserve moisture and will turn
bluish-green. When you walk across the lawn and look back, you will see your footprints.
When you discover these signs, give your lawn a long drink of water.
For healthy roots, water infrequently but water deeply, which trains roots to grow deep in
the soil for strength. Deep roots help your lawn better survive a hot dry spell. By the time
you see crabgrass leaves, the battle with this weed is already lost for the season. Crabgrass
can only be fought with a pre-emergence herbicide before the crabgrass seeds germinate
and sprout. How do you know when to spray? Watch for the forsythia bushes in your
neighborhood to bloom (these upright growing bushes have bright yellow blossoms that
appear very early in the spring). If no forsythia bushes are in sight, call your local nursery
for advice.
Dandelions are broadleaf weeds. Wait until after they sprout and have leaves, and then hit
them with a post-emergence herbicide. This weed killer is absorbed into the leaves and is
circulated down into the root system. You get the best results in spring when the weeds are
growing.
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Mow
Mowing is healthy because it trims away the oldest part of the plant and also encourages a
lawn to spread and thicken to choke out weeds.
Mow on the high side. A higher cut helps ensure a deeper root system. For bluegrass and
fescue, mow at about 3 to 3 ½ inches. For Bermuda and centipede grass, mow at 1 to 2
inches. Mow St. Augustine grass at 3 inches. Before you even start the mower, walk your
lawn and search for objects that could be thrown by the mower blade.
When mowing a steep slope of grass with a lawn tractor, mow up and down for greatest
stability. With a walk-behind mower, mow side to side. That way, if you trip and fall, the
mower is less likely to tumble on top of you. If the hillside is really ominous, get creative
and plant a ground cover instead. Don't compromise your safety.
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Maintain your mower
A well-maintained mower is not only safer; it will also serve you longer. Read the operator's
manual and follow these tips.
- Mud and stuck-on grass clippings can alter your mower's performance, so give
your mower a bath with the outside hose, and then check for loose hardware.
- Drain the old crankcase oil and replace it with clean oil. Also replace the oil filter
and fuel filter according to the maintenance schedule in your owner's manual.
- If your mower won't start, the spark plug could be fouled or damaged. Use a
socket wrench with a deep socket to unscrew the old plug. After you pull it, inspect
the porcelain area for cracks. If it's damaged, replace it. If the electrode end is dirty,
clean it, and then be sure to set the gap for the proper distance. The operator's
manual should give you all the information you need.
- If your mower has an electric starter and the machine is slow to start, it may be
time to recharge or replace an old battery. Examine the electrolyte level.The level
should be 1/4th inch above the plates and not up to the filler tube neck. Always use
distilled water to refill a battery.
- Use regular unleaded gasoline with 87 octane. For two-cycle engines, you'll have
to mix the gas with oil according to the manufacturer's directions.
- Don't sharpen your mower blade to a razor's edge because the metal edge
will crack and peel back and will shred (not cut) your grass.
- Consider the size of your lawn and rely on a trustworthy name brand.
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An investment in your lawn can reap countless rewards, increasing both your enjoyment
and your home's resale value.
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To subscribe to John Deere's quarterly email newsletter Clippings, click here. Clippings
contains money-saving offers and seasonal yard and maintenance tips.
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