Good gardening and lawn care follow the natural cycles of each season. For each change of season, there are things that can be done to prepare for the upcoming change in weather conditions and to keep all equipment running well with proper maintenance. In areas of the country where there are very strong changes in the weather for each season, it is important to know what to do and when to do it. Learn more about the advantages of seasonal care to improve the look of lawns, gardens, and landscaping in order to have the best results and to extend the useful life of the equipment. Here is an explanation of the seasonal differences and maintenance tips for different times of year:
Spring
Spring is the time for renewal and planting. Till the earth, add fertilizer, plant seeds, add new shrubs, prune trees to stimulate new growth or do gardening for a low maintenance gravel garden. Get rid of dead stuff and debris. Repair dead patches of lawns by replacing with sod and/or re-seeding. Of course, to put gravel over some will cut your elbow grease on gardening. Still, add new mulch around the base of shrubs and trees.
Early Summer
Regularly mow as needed. To be most effective, water the landscaping and lawns in the mornings or in the late afternoons. This reduces loss from evaporation and conserves water.
Summer
Water more and use mulch in flower beds to retain moisture. Let the grass grow slightly higher before cutting, so it can retain more moisture. Keep an eye out for insect infestation and disease. Take remedial steps as necessary to reduce damage from these problems. Each month add fertilizer to flowers and vegetables for optimal growth. Harvest fruits and vegetables when ripe.
Early Fall
Oversee lawns during the middle part of September. Add grass fertilizer.
Fall
Rake up leaves, fallen debris, prune back trees and shrubs, and then create compost with them.
Winter
Before the onset of winter, clean all garden and landscaping tools/equipment, drain gas/oil from equipment that has a motor, and put everything away for storage in the bad weather.
How to Take Care of Garden and Lawn Equipment
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Maintenance:
Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for maintenance of equipment that can be found in the owner’s manual that comes along with every piece of equipment.
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Clean air filter:
If the equipment has an air filter, it can easily become clogged with dirt. Some air filters can be washed and cleaned thoroughly. Others are considered disposable and need to be replaced. If equipment has been in storage for a while and it is being put back into operation, it is important to check the air filter to clean or change it as necessary.
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Replace gas:
Many are not aware that gasoline spoils after being left in a tank unused for some time. The best practices are to use new gas when restarting equipment use after it has been in storage. If the gas was not already drained and the tank emptied previously when the equipment was put away, then it is important to drain the tank and use brand new gasoline when starting to use the equipment once again.
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Sharpen the blades:
Good maintenance of any equipment that has cutting blades is to clean and sharpen the blades to keep them cutting at the most efficient levels. If equipment has been out of service for a while, it is a good time to maintain the cutting blades by cleaning and sharpening them, before putting the equipment back into action.
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Replace spark plugs:
Spark plugs that are not properly maintained can cause an engine to run poorly. As normal routine maintenance, it is a good idea to clean spark plugs, check the spark gap, and replace any that are worn out.
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Change the oil:
Oil, like gas, needs to be fresh to work well. If oil is left in equipment that sits idle, sludge can develop that may reduce engine efficiency. It is best to drain the old oil and change oil when putting equipment back into use after storage. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for changing the oil when the equipment is being used regularly under normal operations.
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Storage:
Store your all lawn, garden, and landscaping equipment like lawn sprinklers, lawn Mower, etc. under a safe roof, so that they does not get damaged. There are many effective solutions for storage that include outdoor metal buildings, steel garden sheds, metal carports, enclosed metal garages, and lean-to storage buildings attached to another building or that are self-supporting. The choice of a metal building(s) for the best storage of equipment depends on the inclement weather, the type of equipment, and the needs for protection and security.