Two things are worth handling before the grass actually needs cutting: getting your own equipment running right, and getting on your landscaper's calendar. Both take longer than people expect, and both are easier to sort out now than in the first busy week of the season.
Why equipment needs a spring check
A mower that sat all winter isn't ready to go just because the weather warmed up. Gasoline starts breaking down after about 30 days, forming gum and varnish that clog carburetors and fuel lines, which is the single most common reason mowers won't start in spring. A dull blade is the other quiet problem: instead of cutting the grass cleanly, it tears it, which stresses the lawn and leaves it more vulnerable to disease.
The spring mower checklist
- Clean the deck. Clear out caked grass and debris from underneath, left alone it holds moisture and causes rust.
- Check the blade. Sharpen a dull one, and replace it outright if it's cracked or badly worn.
- Change the oil. If it looks dark and gritty, it's time, use the oil type appropriate for your climate.
- Service the air filter. Foam filters can be washed and reused, paper filters should be replaced if they're dirty.
- Check the spark plug. Replace it if it's fouled, corroded, or worn.
- Deal with old fuel. Drain any gas left over from last season before adding fresh fuel.
- Check tire pressure on self-propelled or riding mowers, uneven pressure leads to an uneven cut.
- Inspect belts and cables for fraying, cracking, or looseness.
- Test safety features, including the blade brake and any dead-man switch.
- Run it for 5 to 10 minutes before you need it for real, and listen for vibration or stalling.
If you've switched to battery-powered equipment, the checklist is shorter but not nonexistent: check the battery's charge and condition, since batteries also lose capacity sitting unused over winter, and give the blade the same sharpen-or-replace look.
When to do this
Aim for about 2 to 3 weeks before your first expected mow, early enough to order a part or get a tune-up done if something needs more than a quick fix at home.
Don't wait to book your landscaper
If you use a lawn care company, this is also the moment to lock in your start date rather than waiting until the grass is already ahead of you. Spring is a landscaper's busiest season, and the good ones fill their calendars early. Reaching out now, before everyone else's lawn is visibly overdue, gets you a better shot at the start date and time slot you actually want.
