| Missouri Environment and Garden | Volume 9, No. 4 |
| News for Missouri’s Gardens, Yards and Resources | April 2003 |
Lawn Mower Tips and Tune-ups
Here we are again. It’s about time to start those lawnmowers for another season of lawn care. As we prepare for another mowing season, don’t think of the lawnmower as just a necessary evil to keep the grass from getting too tall. Think of it as a landscaping tool that, when used properly, keeps the grass healthy and keeps weeds in check.
You can fertilize, use appropriate watering techniques and aerate to improve grass health (see Spring Lawn Care -- Aeration, Fertility and Crabgrass Control on the web at http://ppp.missouri.edu/newsletters/meg/archives/v9n3/meg3.htm), but don’t write off the importance of a well-adjusted, well-maintained mower and good timing.
Think of each blade of grass as a tiny solar collector. When you cut too low or damage the solar collector, you damage the ability of the grass to collect its energy from the sun. The four most basic rules for grass cutting are mow often, mow high, keep blades sharp and mow when the yard is dry.
Mow often and mow high so that you cut only about 1/3 of the length of the grass whenever you mow. This ensures that there is enough leaf surface left to supply the energy needs of the growing grass. I’ve found that the adjustments on most push mowers range from way too low all the way up to just about right. Riding mowers, on the other hand, generally have a maximum deck height that is too high and designed primarily for transport. The highest available setting for the anti-scalp rollers or gauge wheels, however, may be an appropriate guide to finding a suitably high mowing height. If all else fails, read the owner’s manual and aim for a relatively high mowing height according the mowing instructions for your mower. Mowing high and mowing often favors healthy grass and keeps weeds in check.
Keep mower blades sharp to cut grass cleanly and evenly. Dull cutting blades can tear and shred what’s left of these tiny "solar collecting" blades of grass and may fail to cut tougher stems and weeds. Sharpen blades professionally unless you have experience and feel confident about what you are doing. Keeping an extra blade on hand helps ensure that you will always have a sharp blade when you need it and makes it more likely that you will find a convenient time to drop a blade off to have it sharpened.
When spring rains come close together and bring rapid new growth, keep in mind that timing is crucial. It’s pretty obvious that you should wait until the grass is dry before mowing, but it can be just as crucial to let the soil dry too. The small wheels on a mower as well as footprints can cause considerable soil compaction when the soil is too wet. Soil compaction limits air, water and nutrient movement in the soil and restricts root growth.
With all of this focus on promoting healthy grass and protecting the soil, don’t forget to protect your own health and that of your family. Wear appropriate shoes and clothing and use eye and hearing protection when operating mowers and trimmers. Keep family and pets at a safe distance. Pause and let pedestrians pass when mowing near public walks and streets. Keep all shields in place and do not attempt to bypass any safety features. Review the owner’s manual for safe operation of all power equipment. My wife probably thinks I’m a bit of a risk taker, but I don’t fool around with the equipment. Don’t think hearing and eye protection aren’t important, and yes, you can lose a few fingers or toes to a lawn mower too. I know too many people who have first hand knowledge not to speak up and say be careful.
Finally, I want you to know about a group of fine young men and women at MU who will prepare your mower for the season. The annual Ag Systems Management Club "Spring Lawn Mower and Tiller Tune-up" begins April 10. "Drop off" times are April 10 and 11 and "pick up" is scheduled for April 14 and 15. Complete $30.00 service includes Steam Cleaning, New Spark Plug, Sharpen & Balance Blade, Clean Air Filter, and an Oil Change. Look for more details below.
Bill Casady, Ag Engineering Commercial Agriculture Program, UMC (573) 882-4370
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