There are many things you can do to improve your lawn care routine. If you’re not quite sure where to start, you’ve come to the right place. Lighthouse Motorsports and Marine has created this guide with some great lawn care tips. Keep reading to learn more! If you have any questions, contact one of our friendly and knowledgeable staff members. We can also help you find the lawn equipment you need. We serve customers from all over the Minneapolis metro area at our dealership located in Rosemount, MN.

Water

During the fall season, you’ll want to spread an inch of compost on your yard and water it in. Generally speaking, most lawns require approximately one inch of water each week to thrive. Prevent lawn disease by watering your lawn in the early morning hours. It’s also a good idea to aerate your lawn every couple of years to eliminate thatch. This allows water, air, and nutrients to penetrate as deep as possible into the root zone. If you want deep roots and an overall healthier lawn, you can choose to water for long periods but cut back on the frequency. Once you’re done watering, use a garden trowel to check the soil moisture. If it does not feel wet around 4 to 6 inches down, keep watering.

Don’t forget—we offer a traveling repair service for your convenience. If you have questions or if you’d like to schedule an appointment, give us a call. You can also stop by and see us in Rosemount, MN. We’re proud to serve the Minneapolis metropolitan area.

Drain Or Stabilize The Fuel

First and foremost, you need to deal with the leftover fuel in the tank. You definitely don’t want to store your machine without addressing this. If you choose to leave fuel in the tank during the winter, you can cause some serious damage to the engine. When you combine the ethanol in the gas with water from condensation, you’ll be at risk of clogs, corrosion, and other issues. This will cost a pretty penny to fix before you can use your machine again.

If you check the tank and there’s only a bit of fuel left before your last cut of the season, you might as well drain it. If you plan to store your machine in a basement, you’ll want to remove the fuel, no matter how much is left, as storing it indoors could become a fire hazard. However, if you’re storing it in a shed or the garage, you can fill up the tanks and add fuel stabilizer. Remember to run the machine so the stabilized fuel can make its way through the carburetor.

Change The Oil

While we’re on the subject of draining, don’t forget to change your oil. Get rid of the oil and replace it with a fresh batch. You should carefully fill it to the line marked on the tank so you don’t under- or over-shoot it. This will ensure that you have a much easier time when you go to start it up again in the springtime. Not to mention, it also reduces the wear and tear on key engine components so you can keep your lawn mower running for many years to come.

Clean The Deck

You probably already tend to your deck as needed throughout the season. After all, the blade housing needs to be clean in order to deliver superior cutting performance. This task is even more critical before you store it for the off-season. You need to disconnect the spark plugs before you attempt to do this as you don’t want the mower to accidentally kick-start on you.

Sometimes you can get this done with a simple spray of the garden hose, especially if you’ve only got fresh clippings on your hands. Although if there’s dry buildup, you’ll need to try something different. A plastic paint scraper or a bristle scrubber should do the trick. You can even use silicone spray on the underside of the deck to prevent future buildup.

Replace The Spark Plug

Speaking of spark plugs, you should check if these need to be changed prior to storage. If a plug is cracked or corroded, it needs to be replaced. As a general rule of thumb, spark plugs are designed to be used for 100 hours of mowing. Don’t neglect this step in the mower winterization process. It’s a lot more affordable to replace spark plugs than the machine itself!

Change The Air Filter

You’ll also want to change the air filters because dirty ones prevent the engine from burning gas efficiently. If your mower has a paper filter, you should replace it with a new one with the paper edges facing outward. If it’s an oil-soaked sponge filter, you’ll need to remove it and wash it with soap and water. Be sure you let it dry completely before you add clean oil to it and put it back in the machine. Lastly, clear the cooling fins of dirt and debris.

Check And Sharpen The Blade

It’s no secret that dull blades translate to poor performance. When you’re preparing for mower winterization, remember to sharpen the blades. Refer to your owner’s manual for specific instructions regarding your model before you begin.

Brush away debris on the blades before running a sharpening file or stone along the edge. Lubricate the blade with WD-40 to prevent rusting. Confirm that the blade is balanced by hanging it on a nail through the center. If it tips to one side, file that side down.

Proper Storage

The final step in the mower winterization process is finding proper storage. It should go without saying that you cannot leave it outside during the cold months. It’ll do fine in a garage, shed, or basement. You may even want to put a container of mothballs near the mower deck to prevent critters from nesting inside. If you follow this guide, we’re confident that your mower will be in great shape next season.

We hope this information has been useful. If you need some assistance or you’d like an appointment for our traveling repair service to come to you, give us a call. You can also visit Lighthouse Motorsports and Marine in Rosemount, MN. We also serve those in St. Paul, MN.