Click below to listen to my 2 min. Radio show/podcast: Lawnmower care 2022
My area has had a couple of hard frosts and then 79 degrees… wacky. This is the time in cold climates to mow for the last time (if needed).
During the growing season your lawn should stay at about 3 inches but this last mow should be shorter, more like 2 to 2.5 inches.
The reason is to help prevent mold over the winter months. You could also start the process of getting your mower ready for winter, but FIRST, I would urge you to NOT rake your lawn but chop up the leaves with your mower and LEAVE them be OR put them in your garden beds for mulch.
I used a bunch of them to cover my newly planted garlic.
Always keep in mind that you should do NO maintenance until the engine has cooled. If you start washing off your mower while it’s hot you can crack the engine.
- It’s best to run the fuel out of your mower or empty it into an approved container. Please, no plastic milk jugs filled with gas!
- Use soap and hot water to wash off the accumulated dirt and oil, being careful not to soak the mower, especially around the spark plug.
- Then hose it off, and let it dry in the sun.
- To clean out the grass that’s turned to cardboard on the underside of your mower, pull the spark plug just to make sure it doesn’t accidentally start, flip it on it’s side and go to town! You can use a power nozzle if you have better control than I do.
- Wait to sharpen the blade till Spring. Remember, a dull blade rips the tender plants, injuring them.
Now, due to winds, there’s a LOT more!! 😉