1. Prepare to mow<\/span><\/h2> ![\"Looking](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/rsz_51086425107_24cffd3f1e_c.jpg\")
Andrew Gustar | Flickr<\/a> | CC BY-ND 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> Just like you need a morning stretch, your turf tools need a good dust-off when spring comes around. The last thing you want is a dull mower shredding your growing grass! <\/p>
Why are sharp blades important?<\/strong><\/p> A dull blade can injure your lawn, just like a dull razor can hurt your skin. A sharp blade isn\u2019t just important for aesthetics, though \u2013 it helps prevent disease. The wounds left by a dull mower are prime entry points for fungal diseases to take hold. Not to mention, the strain from a dull blade can shorten the lifespan of your mower.<\/p>
How often should you sharpen your blade?<\/strong><\/p> The professionals say you should sharpen your mower blade every 20-25 hours of use. So if you mow your yard for an hour once a week, that means you\u2019ll need to sharpen your mower blade every 20 weeks or so. It\u2019s a good idea to change the oil in your mower around this time, too.<\/p>
Removing and cleaning your lawn mower blade:<\/strong><\/p> - Disconnect the spark plug.<\/li>
- Empty the gas tank.<\/li>
- Turn it on its side so the carburetor\u2019s facing up, then mark the bottom of the blade with a marker so it\u2019s easy to install it right-side up after you are done.<\/li>
- Use a wrench or ratchet to loosen and remove the nut that holds the mower blade in place.<\/li>
- Clean it with a dry rag. If you need extra grit removal power, spray it with penetrating oil, let it sit, and scrub it with a brush.<\/li><\/ul>
Sharpening your mower blade by hand:<\/strong><\/p> - Make sure to wear protective gloves and eyewear.<\/li>
- Place the blade in a vise.<\/li>
- Use a file or grindstone to sharpen the blade from the top side of the cutting edge. Push in one direction, following the blade\u2019s angle.<\/li>
- When it\u2019s as sharp as a butter knife, release it from the vise, turn it over, and repeat on the other edge. You should be able to sharpen it with fewer than 50 strokes.<\/li><\/ul>
After you\u2019re done, be sure to clean out any debris from the bottom of the mower before attaching the blade back to the bolt. To finish, reconnect the spark plug and refill the gas.<\/p>
2. Protect your soil pH<\/span><\/h2> Testing for pH isn\u2019t just for middle school science classes. It\u2019s important to test your soil pH, especially if you\u2019ve been applying fertilizers in the past. <\/p>
Many St. Louis yards have a high or very high soil pH and are receiving unnecessary fertilization, causing chemical runoff to lakes and rivers. It can take years to bring soil test levels back down to normal, so don\u2019t skip this important step. <\/p>
You can use a soil probe or a spade to collect samples for a soil test. For turf areas, dig your tool in 3 inches and take samples from several areas. Put each collection in its own container, then break up all the lumps and remove debris. Let them dry overnight at room temperature. Finally, mix all your samples together into one bucket and submit your sample to a soil testing lab.<\/a><\/p> Adjusting pH<\/a> is simple. For soils that score on the acidic end (below 6.0), apply limestone. For soils that lean basic (above 7.2), apply sulfur. Most turfgrasses do best in soil between 6.3 and 7.2. <\/p> Limestone recommendations (lbs.\/1,000 square feet)<\/strong><\/p>
Just like you need a morning stretch, your turf tools need a good dust-off when spring comes around. The last thing you want is a dull mower shredding your growing grass! <\/p>
Why are sharp blades important?<\/strong><\/p> A dull blade can injure your lawn, just like a dull razor can hurt your skin. A sharp blade isn\u2019t just important for aesthetics, though \u2013 it helps prevent disease. The wounds left by a dull mower are prime entry points for fungal diseases to take hold. Not to mention, the strain from a dull blade can shorten the lifespan of your mower.<\/p> How often should you sharpen your blade?<\/strong><\/p> The professionals say you should sharpen your mower blade every 20-25 hours of use. So if you mow your yard for an hour once a week, that means you\u2019ll need to sharpen your mower blade every 20 weeks or so. It\u2019s a good idea to change the oil in your mower around this time, too.<\/p> Removing and cleaning your lawn mower blade:<\/strong><\/p> Sharpening your mower blade by hand:<\/strong><\/p> After you\u2019re done, be sure to clean out any debris from the bottom of the mower before attaching the blade back to the bolt. To finish, reconnect the spark plug and refill the gas.<\/p> Testing for pH isn\u2019t just for middle school science classes. It\u2019s important to test your soil pH, especially if you\u2019ve been applying fertilizers in the past. <\/p> Many St. Louis yards have a high or very high soil pH and are receiving unnecessary fertilization, causing chemical runoff to lakes and rivers. It can take years to bring soil test levels back down to normal, so don\u2019t skip this important step. <\/p> You can use a soil probe or a spade to collect samples for a soil test. For turf areas, dig your tool in 3 inches and take samples from several areas. Put each collection in its own container, then break up all the lumps and remove debris. Let them dry overnight at room temperature. Finally, mix all your samples together into one bucket and submit your sample to a soil testing lab.<\/a><\/p> Adjusting pH<\/a> is simple. For soils that score on the acidic end (below 6.0), apply limestone. For soils that lean basic (above 7.2), apply sulfur. Most turfgrasses do best in soil between 6.3 and 7.2. <\/p> Limestone recommendations (lbs.\/1,000 square feet)<\/strong><\/p> 2. Protect your soil pH<\/span><\/h2>
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