Now that winter is settling in, it might be tempting to put off all lawn care chores until the spring. Mower maintenance – who needs it? You’re finally getting a break for mowing, fertilizing, and watering! Right? Well… sort of. It’s true that a dormant lawn is a lot less work than a growing one.

However, there are a few things you can do now to make caring for your lawn easier next year. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the tasks you can do now to prepare your mower for winter and make next season’s mowing easier!

Mower Maintenance

There are three key steps to keeping your mower in good shape over winter.

First, make sure to clean your mower. Remove any built-up grass or debris from the blades and housing. You can use a brush or hose to do this. Be careful not to damage any electrical components while cleaning.

Next, lubricate all moving parts of the mower. This will help keep them in good condition and prevent them from rusting. Apply a light coat of oil to the blade and mower deck.

Finally, if you haven’t already, winterize your mower by adding a fuel stabilizer. This will help keep the fuel in good condition over the winter and prevent it from gumming up.

Remember, in doing this maintenance you may notice some issues. That’s okay! Better to get any necessary repairs taken care of now versus during the spring or summer. Take your time to make sure everything is in working order before carefully storing it for the duration of winter.

Watering Systems

When was the last time you checked your sprinklers? Now is also a good time to do a quick inspection and make sure they are all in good working order. Check the spray pattern of each sprinkler head and make sure the water is spreading evenly. If not, adjust the sprinkler accordingly.

Again, if you haven’t already, now is a good time to winterize your watering system. Shut off the water supply to the system and drain all the pipes. This will help prevent any damage from freezing water in the winter.

This is also a great time to make a change to your watering system. Do you need to add or repair a timer? Add a sprinkler head? Consider what worked and what didn’t last growing season and make some plans to address any issues!

Garden Tools

While you aren’t using them, now is a good time to clean and store your garden tools. Wash them off with soap and water, then dry them completely. Apply a coat of oil to the metal parts to help protect them from rusting. Store them in a dry place where they will be safe from the elements. Was there a tool you noticed you needed last year but didn’t have? Take inventory of what you have, what needs to be repaired or replaced, and what additions would be helpful for next summer.

Clean Off Your Lawn

Another low-impact but valuable chore over winter is to clear off your lawn regularly. Remove any leaves, branches, or other debris that has accumulated over the fall. Every other week, if possible, spend some time gently raking debris off your lawn.

Be sure not to leave furniture or toys on the dormant lawn, either! This will help keep your lawn healthy and allow the snow to melt more quickly and evenly, nourishing your lawn instead of damaging it.

Bottom Line on Mower Maintenance and Other Winter Chores

Winter is a great time to catch up on some of those outdoor chores that you may have been putting off. One of the most important things to do is maintain your mower, sprinklers, and garden tools.

If you don’t take care of these things now, you’ll be in for a long, hot summer when it’s time to start mowing again! However, if you complete these tasks now, your mower ad tools will be in good condition when the spring arrives! And that will make mowing and tending to your lawn a lot easier. Happy mowing!