Lawn Protection

Pet owners are rightfully worried about spraying their lawns with any number of toxic chemicals which can pose significant health risks for not only their pets but family members as well. However, there is actually very little reason to be worried at all as you will find out. There is only a small chance that improper pesticide or herbicide application will pose a health risk, and that small chance is entirely negated with proper application. With proper usage, all lawn care products are pet safe, although you can purchase specifically natural pet safe lawn care products. Either way, you’ll be protecting your pets which can be like family to you.

Proper Application and Pet Safe

As previously mentioned, commercial lawn care products are almost entirely safe when applied correctly. The problem really arises under two conditions. Firstly, volatile chemicals can release toxic gases over time, and many pesticides and herbicides include volatile chemicals for their sheer strength. Fortunately, liquid pet safe lawn care products allow you to specifically target problem areas in your yard, so you aren’t forced to spray the entire thing, severely reducing the amount of chemicals that you need to use in the first place. Also, proper application will only use a small amount of chemicals in a given area, so the pet safe lawn care products won’t be concentrated enough to release enough toxic fumes to harm humans or pets. The second risk comes from spraying toys like tennis balls. Lawn care products sprayed on toys can remain toxic for weeks, so you’ll want to remove any toys from the yard before spraying.

If you want the marketed pet safe lawn care products, then there are a number of substances which still get the job done without any harmful side effects. Naturally occurring bacteria can be implanted into your yard. For example, beneficial nematodes attack insect larvae by injecting them with toxins, and then they eat the dead larvae. When all the larvae are consumed, the nematodes die off themselves, so you are left with absolutely no harmful substances in your lawn. Your job is completely done, and you don’t need to dirty your hands at all.

You can also use essential oils derived from garlic, citrus oil, and pepper extracts to combat many problems facing your lawn. Completely natural and completely safe, you won’t need to worry about any harmful side effects from these products. Remember: with proper application and keeping toys out of the way, all lawn care products are safe to use with pets around. However, the only surefire way to protect your pets is to purchase pet safe lawn care products, so any mistakes on your part won’t make you or your pets sick.

Originally published here.

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Your lawnmower is an investment that will keep your lawn turning heads-as long as you take care of the engine. Proper lawnmower care is crucial to for smooth performance. The changing seasons require certain precautions to properly store the lawn mower while it is not in use. Here are six steps you should take to protect your lawn mower throughout the year:

1. Check the Battery
Recharge the battery throughout the off-season starting the engine from time to time or simply attach the battery to a charger.

2. Check the Fuel
All engines can be damaged by old or deteriorated fuel. In as little as just one month, gasoline can deteriorate damage your lawnmower’s small engine by clogging the carburetor, thus preventing the engine from starting properly. The keep your lawnmower’s engine clean, add a fuel stabilizer each time you fill the tank.

3. Check the Oil
Just like automotive engines, small engines must undergo regular oil changes. Oil lubricates the engine during use, which prevents premature damage. Before starting the lawn mower in the spring, give it an oil change. This is especially important if you did not change the oil before storing it for the winter.

4. Lubricate Moving Parts
The engine is not the only part of your lawn mower that requires proper lubrication. It is a good idea to keep all moving parts, including the wheels and cables, adequately lubricated with oil or grease. If you still have the owner’s manual, check it for details on properly lubricating moving parts.

5. Replace Spark Plugs and Filters
Replacing spark plugs and air filters before the first spring use is an inexpensive way to properly maintain and protect your lawn mower. Do this every year to extend the life of your mower. Replace paper filters, and thoroughly wash and air dry foam filters. Don’t forget to change the fuel filter as well.

6. Check the Blades
Every spring, you should have your lawnmower’s blades sharpened. Dull blades could damage your lawn and will cause the lawn mower to be less fuel-efficient. A damaged lawn and inefficient mower will also make you work much harder than you need to. It is a good idea to sharpen the lawn mower blades at lease once a month during the peak season.

7. Clean the Deck
A dirty deck can cause your mower to work harder than it should and to burn more fuel. It can also damage your lawn. Cleaning the deck is relatively simple and should be done after each use. Simply turn the mower onto its side, carefully positioning it so that motor oil does not leak into the fuel system. Then scrape or hose off lawn clippings from the deck of the mower. If possible, spray silicone lubricant onto the deck to reduce build up during use. Make sure the mower is completely off before cleaning the deck to avoid injury.

Behind every pristine lawn is careful lawnmower maintenance. In addition to better mower performance, lawnmower maintenance saves money, as a well-lubricated, clean machine is more energy efficient and requires less fuel. As long as you follow these simple tips when preparing your lawn mower for the spring and summer, you should enjoy a good working mower for many years to come.

~Ben Anton, 2009

Originally published here.

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Protect Your investment

After you rake out all the leaves, do not relax. Remember Robert Frost.

There are miles to go before you sleep and miles (well not exactly) to go before your lawn mower is allowed to sleep. Unless you do it, your lawn mower might be put to a longer sleep. It may not wake up when winter goes away, and when you need your lawn mower most.

The Why Of Lawn Mower Winterizing

Gasoline in the carburetor of your lawn mower, does not take kindly to lowered temperatures of winter. The gasoline gums up and when you try to restart it after the winter, there s no gasoline flow to your engine and it does not start. You will not be able to do the maintenance by yourself. You will lose time and money making the trip to your friendly neighborhood mechanic. You get all this, for not following up simple steps of winterizing your lawn mower. Avoid all this winterize your lawn mower.

The How of Lawn Mower Winterizing

There are some simple steps for winterizing your lawn mower. You can do it your self without involving any one else.

1. The first thing to do is to remove the gasoline in the tank. This can be done by siphoning the contents in the in a plastic can. Usually a single gallon container should be sufficient.

2. Keep the can tightly closed after decanting contents of the lawn mower.

Place the can in such a way that it cannot topple over and spill the content.

3. If you use the same grade of gasoline in your car, transfer the content to the car tank, it is much safer that way, or transfer it to winter heating system if that is possible instead of storing gasoline in a can.

4. Run the engine until the remaining fuel is completely consumed and engine stops on its own.

5. Drain gearbox oil and crank case oil. Dispose off the oil as per guidelines from municipal authorities for disposal of hazardous waste or hand it over to municipal authorities for doing it. NEVER, EVER, dump it in sewer or on ground.

6. Remove the spark plug, put lubricating oil (about 50 millilitres) through the opening, and crank up the engine using the rope, so the piston and crankshaft is lubricated.

7. Ensure that you are wearing hand gloves before you do any of the following activities and take safety precautions to avoid any injury to your hands.

8. Turn over the engine and clean the undersides of the lawn mower to remove traces of grass, muck attached to the blades and clean the working parts of lawn mower. Remove any foreign material lodged between blade and body.

9. With a small piece of steel wool, clean all the underside areas and remove any rest from the covers and body of the lawn mower.

10. Apply protective solution like WD-40 to the cleaned up surfaces

11. If required, remove, sharpen and refit the blade, and turn the lawn mower to its normal position.

12. Change the air filter and the oil filter. If it is possible to clean the air filter, you can do so, but if it is made of paper, it must be replaced.

The air filters and oil filters can also be replaced just before re-using the lawn mower, but it pays to do this while winterizing as you might forget doing so before starting.

13. Fill up the tires with air and wheel it to its resting place for winter When spring arrives and the grass is ready to be cut, fill up the fuel tank with gasoline and start up. Your old faithful lawn mower will purr into motion and you will be ready for your

Originally published here.