Despite the Siberian cold snap, the weather men are now saying that mild and possibly wet weather will start to roll in.
Although it is January, there will be some growth on the lawn. I always prefer to trim the grass all through the winter if the weather conditions permit. First of all it ensures that you are not spending all your Sunday for three weeks in April trying to get your lawn under control and secondly it will create a thicker more resilient sward.
That means, by the month of April, you are enjoying your lawn and not fretting over the missed opportunity.
Winter Maintenance
How many of us can go to the tool shed, take out the mower, and start first or second pull?
My Brother ran a garden machinery centre for many years. He was always cursing (despite the increase in business) the gardener who would bring in their machinery at the last minute and want it back immediately, because they had not prepared for the moment when their mower or strimmer should be needed.
My advice would be, get your mower out, trim all the lawns (if the surface is not too wet) and tidy the garden up. A rotary mower will also act as a vacuum and remove trigs, leaves and general debris and boy! does it make you feel good.
If you find the mower will not start, then either service it yourself - if you feel confident enough - or take it, with plenty of time before the real work begins, to the local garden machinery centre for a good winter service.
The things that should be addressed:
The engine should have the oil changed if it is a four stroke. Air filters should be replaced if it has been in the mower for some time (you can blow out a paper filter with an air line and wash a foam filter in neat petrol. After washing, blow through with air line and let dry completely. (be very careful that you do not blow the petrol against your skin. The high pressure can cause you some serious problems and it pays to wear gloves.)
Clean the spark plug or replace it with a new one it has been in the mower for some time. Occasionally, a spark plug can look good but still be breaking down and not supplying you with a regular spark. There is no other remedy than to throw it out and put in a new one.
Check the blades. If the machine is a rotary then you need to ascertain whether there is enough meat on the steel to sharpen and balance and still get a decent season out of it. Remember, if the blade is too old and has been sharpened many times it may have become too light. This caused the engine to over perform in order to keep the r.p.m up and in turn lead to damage.
If the machine is a cylinder mower, you will have to have the sharpening done professionally. Sharpening involves placing the cylinder on a lathe like machine where it rotates at high speed. A grinding block is guided along the length, consistently grinding the cutting edge to a true line - any bumps or stone marks are removed, enabling the cylinder to be set accurately against the bottom blade and creating a proper cutting edge - a bit like continuous scissors.
Take a look at cables and replace where necessary or apply oil if it has become dry. Tighten up nuts and bolts.
Buying a new mower - What is the best lawnmower on the market?
Of course, some of you will go to your sheds or garages and have to make that painful decision and perform the last rites on old faithful. If you find that a new lawn mower is needed then check out this page I wrote a while back which gives a few pointers on what to look for.
Further reading:
Planning your gardening year
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