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DALE NAPIER
As a lawn care service professional from Nixa, Missouri, it is my goal to answer some of the most commonly asked customer questions about lawn care. |
DALE NAPIER
As a lawn care service professional from Nixa, Missouri, it is my goal to answer some of the most commonly asked customer questions about lawn care. |
Whether you have a brand new, precision mowing machine, or an older work horse, lawn mowers need to be tuned up in the spring. While many people rely on services or shops in the Springfield area to do these tasks for them, some people may want to attempt to do their own maintenance at home. Whichever option you choose, here are the basics of what will likely need to be done for a spring lawn mower tune up. Gasoline If gasoline is left over the winter months, it can become stale or retain moisture. Using bad gasoline in your mower can result in rust and a carburetor that doesn't run smoothly. To ensure that your gas is good, consider draining out the old and replacing it with fresh. Blades Having properly sharpened blades, that are in good repair, on your lawn mower is essential for a healthy lawn. Inspect blades for any nicks as well as for dullness. Replace or sharpen as required. Oil Having fresh, well filled oil will help your lawn equipment function properly and can even extend the life of equipment. For two cycle engines, such as some string trimmers and blowers, be sure that the oil is mixed with gasoline to the correct ratio and topped off. Your equipment owner's manual, or instructions printed on the machine will usually give you this information. For four cycle engines, such as most lawn mowers, draining the oil and/or performing an oil change before adding new oil is a great idea. Air Filter Mowing equipment needs proper airflow to the engine in order to perform at its best. To make sure that your machinery is getting this airflow, take the time to inspect, and replace if necessary, the air filter. As a rule of thumb, air filters that do not show light through them likely need to be replaced. Spark Plugs Replacing the spark plugs on your lawn equipment can be an inexpensive and easy way to increase their performance. Even if a spark plug has not completely gone out, it is often a great idea to install a new one each spring season as part of routine maintenance. Wash & Clean Hopefully, when you stored your mower for the winter, you took time to clean off the old grass. If you didn't, or if your machinery accumulated dirt and dust while in storage, spend a little time washing and cleaning it. For hard to remove grass that is built up, try a wire brush and some good old fashion elbow grease. There you have it! A quick guide to recommended spring maintenance! If you find that all this upkeep is a bit too time consuming and you are considering trading in your mowing equipment for a great Springfield or Nixa lawn care service, we would love to have the chance to earn your business. Give us a call at 417-414-8355 or request a free quote on our contact page! Image provided by Rawich from FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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A four minute video that overviews lawn care advice for homeowners, courtesy of the Environmental Protection Agency. For more information on lawn care services in the Nixa and Springfield, Missouri areas that our company offers , please visit our home page.
The endless snow and bitter cold that has been our Springfield, Missouri winter is finally coming to an end and Spring seems to have finally arrived! With bulbs popping out of the ground and grass beginning to show some hues of green, here are some quick tips to help you get your lawn ready for a Missouri spring! #1. Assess Your Lawn Winter months that are particularly wet and harsh can leave your yard with damage, such as low spots, bare patches, or washed away landscaping. Take time in the early spring to assess what needs your lawn has and make a plan to repair them. #2. Reseed if Needed If you find that your yard has bare patches of dirt, or areas where the grass is thinner than you would like, do a springtime reseed. Start by aerating the area, then spread the seeds as required. Some grass seeds require later planting dates than others, so be sure to check the label instructions for zone planting dates for the Springfield, Missouri area. Once planted, be sure to keep the ground moist where the seeds are beginning to sprout. #3. Fertilize New grass seedlings, as well as established lawn areas, will perform much better if they are fertilized during the spring months. We recommend a slow release, low nitrogen fertilizer for most soil and grass types. Be careful not to over do it, though! Too much fertilization can burn your soil and do more harm than good. Stick with the 1lb nitrogen per 1,000 square foot rule to be safe. #4. Get Your Mower Ready While the temperatures and seasonal weather patterns will determine when to begin mowing each year, it is always a great idea to have your mowing equipment or lawn service company all ready to go, should mother nature make her warm weather debut earlier than usual. For those who mow their own lawns, be sure to have your blades sharpened and your mowing equipment inspected with maintenance duties performed to ensure a proper operation. If you hire a lawn care company, contact them and arrange for your yard to be included in their schedule. If you do not currently have a lawn care service, and you live in the Springfield, Missouri or surrounding areas, Dale's Lawn Service would love the opportunity to give you a no obligation quote. Contact us at 417-414-8355 or request via our online contact form. "Daffodil Blooming Through The Snow" image Courtesy of Serge Bertasius Photography |
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If you are looking for a lawn care or lawn mowing company in the Nixa or Springfield, MO area, we would love to have the opportunity to earn your business.
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