Spring Lawn Care Tips

Spring has arrived. Snapper^® has collected these spring lawn care tips, the essentials of yard work, to get the healthy lawn of your dreams. See how lawn mower maintenance, mowing the lawn properly, a fertilizing schedule and knowing how often to water the lawn will make this spring the best your lawn has ever had.

Lawn Mower Maintenance

Nothing is more frustrating than when the lawn mower won’t start properly when it’s time to cut the grass. Spring is the perfect time for lawn mower maintenance, like changing the oil and spark plug replacement.

Changing the oil on your Snapper push mower or riding mower at the start of each season will ensure a fresh start to healthy grass. You will need a clean oil rag, replacement oil, catch tray and a new spark plug. Be sure to check your Snapper mower owner’s manual for safety precautions and all mowers manufacturer recommendations before you begin.

• Using the dipstick, check the oil color & oil level. Oil that is ready to be changed will be dark in color and the oil level will likely be low from the previous season.
• Depending on your model, you will need to drain the existing oil from the lawn mower.
• To drain the oil from push mowers, tilt the mower on two wheels with the air filter side up and oil fill side down. Let the oil drain onto the catch tray.
• To drain the oil from riding mowers, attach an oil hose and use a catch tray. Turn the drain valve counter clockwise to drain oil. After the oil has drained, turn the drain valve clockwise to close.
• Check the oil level once more with the dip stick, the oil tank should be empty.
• According to the manufacturer’s recommendations, fill the oil tank with fresh oil. It is very important to never under fill or over fill the oil tank.

Spark plug replacement for your riding mower or push mower is another step you can take to ensure your mower runs its best this spring season.

• Use a wrench to remove old spark plug and replace with a new spark plug.
• Be sure the spark plug fit is snug, not too tight or too loose.

Mowing the Lawn

Believe it or not, mowing the lawn at the proper grass blade height will promote root growth, ensuring a healthy lawn through summer.

• Adjust your mower deck to never mow more than the top third of the grass blade.
• Avoid scalping grass which happens if more than one-third of the grass blade is mowed. Scalping will kill patches of grass causing irreparable damage to your lawn for the season.

Lawn Fertilizer

Lawn fertilizer is another great step to a green lush lawn and with a fertilizing schedule; it’s possible to maintain a healthy lawn all season.

• Start with selecting the best fertilizer for the lawn.
• Choose a brand that has the most essential fertilizer nutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus & potassium.
• Read the instructions on the fertilizer bag carefully, this will indicate how much fertilizer to apply to the lawn.
• Then, make sure you stick to a fertilizing schedule that is easiest to follow around the summer holidays: Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day.

Lawn Watering

The next essential step for spring lawn care is to water after fertilizing.

• Lawn watering should take priority in the early morning between 4AM and 9AM. The water will evaporate more slowly, promoting root growth.
• If there has not been much rainfall, you’ll have a dry lawn on your hands. A healthy yard needs about one inch of water per week. Two 30 minute lawn watering sessions should get the job done.

With these essential spring lawn care tips you will have the most healthy, beautiful lawn in the neighborhood for summer.

For more questions on lawn mower maintenance, contact a Snapper Dealer in your area.