[BXMurphy]

My sister likes my lawn and wants to do the same thing. Of course.

She asked how to do it and after I got just two minutes into it, she changed the subject. Of course.

If you had just five minutes and wanted to get someone off to a solid start, what would you tell them? Like that guy at the big box studying fertilizer labels...

 

[ryeguy]

Mow high. Don't bag, mulch. Follow the Milorganite program described on the bags (4x yearly) since it's foolproof (no burning) and easy to follow since it uses holidays as fert-down days. Water deeply and infrequently and not at night. Have her use the premix weed b gon for spot control. Maybe teach her how to identify common weeds that need weed b gon cco (clover, etc).

 

[pennstater2005]

Well if after two minutes someone's eyes glaze over from boredom I would just say......TruGreen.

 

[Green]

Assuming they don't do anything as far as fertilizer yet: Milorganite in early June, and again in early September at a heavier rate for our general area. They can also do a synthetic in mid or late Sept. at half the bag rate in addition. September is the most important month to fertilize in the Northeast, imho.

 

[JohnP]

I agree with ryeguy. I work retail and often wrap yardwork or mowing into small talk. A lady asked me and I told her. Mulch mow, tallest or 2nd from tallest, and often (every 3-6 days depending on schedule and growth) with sharp blades. She asked "oh you can sharpen the blades?" I told her buy a spare and have local hardware shop sharpen them for her. Then she always will have a spare sharp blade. "I wonder if my retired neighbor would sharpen them for me. He's into those kinds of things."

Then I told her extra credit is Milorganite.

 

[BXMurphy]

I agree with ryeguy. I work retail and often wrap yardwork or mowing into small talk. A lady asked me and I told her. Mulch mow, tallest or 2nd from tallest, and often (every 3-6 days depending on schedule and growth) with sharp blades. She asked "oh you can sharpen the blades?" I told her buy a spare and have local hardware shop sharpen them for her. Then she always will have a spare sharp blade. "I wonder if my retired neighbor would sharpen them for me. He's into those kinds of things."

Then I told her extra credit is Milorganite.

I agree, ryeguy's Milo suggestion was perfect for fertilizer. Your write-up is funny. I think sharpening is more effort than is worth it given that a new blade is something like $10 bucks.

Again, funny post!

 

[Jconnelly6b]

@BXMurphy what do you do throw 3 sets of blades away each year?

 

[BXMurphy]

@BXMurphy what do you do throw 3 sets of blades away each year?

No. One blade. Maybe.

I should keep reminding myself that not everyone has a small city lot of 2,500 SF turf. You guys with the giant lawns amaze me. Those kinds of lawns around here are landmarks.

 

[g-man]

New blades are never sharp.

 

[JohnP]

New blades are never sharp.

I just put a new blade on the other night. It was sharper than my old blade but not as sharp as the old blade was when I got it back.

 

[g-man]

If you zoom in on your image you will see the blades being torn.

This video shows a way to get a blade sharp (hand file). How to Sharpen and balance a lawn mower blade

 

[pennstater2005]

If you zoom in on your image you will see the blades being torn.

This video shows a way to get a blade sharp (hand file). How to Sharpen and balance a lawn mower blade

That's not necessarily a dull blade but also an effect of a rotary mower. I've had blades freshly sharpened by a local shop and I still have occasionally torn looking leaf blades.

 

[LawnNerd]

Fresh blade that i sharpen still causing tears. Im beginning to think my mower isn't powerful enough. Under powered mowers will also cause tearing.

But yea, BX I just told my Neighbor yesterday to use Milo and mow at the highest setting on his mower. If he wants more, he'll ask, as I'm always outside in mine.t

 

[440mag]

If you had just five minutes and wanted to get someone off to a solid start, what would you tell them?

Easy one: I would tell them how TO JOIN TLF !!!!!!!!!!!!! :lol: :thumbup:

 

[g-man]

That's not necessarily a dull blade but also an effect of a rotary mower. I've had blades freshly sharpened by a local shop and I still have occasionally torn looking leaf blades.

This is not my experience with my rotary. Try the file method and proper rpm. I could here the noise of the blade cutting and it sound different to me. Like a high pitch singing.

 

[BXMurphy]

New blades are never sharp.

What? WHAT?!?

Now what? Who sharpens blades?

 

[Alpine]

I agree with all of the good advice so far. Sharp blade and mow high - most people just scalp their lawns and then it burns in the heat of summer. Easy of the fertilizer during the summer. I get a kick out of the big fertilizer companies that want you to keep buying all the "steps" - even when it's 90 degrees. Go with slow release low nitrogen like Milo.

 

[jessehurlburt]

New blades are never sharp.

What? WHAT?!?

Now what? Who sharpens blades?

I bought an angle grinder from Walmart for $15 and it came with the correct grinding wheel. It was a breeze to sharpen and yeterday was my first mow with a truly sharp blade. You can hear the difference like gman says.

 

[probasestealer]

2 sets of blades is key. But if they are damaged i just buy a new set.

 

[JohnP]

If you zoom in on your image you will see the blades being torn.

This video shows a way to get a blade sharp (hand file). How to Sharpen and balance a lawn mower blade

Yeah that's why I shared that image.

@BXMurphy Around here there's Do It Best, True Value and Ace that all offer it. Just call ahead to make sure.

I have an angle grinder but need to practice first before I trust myself.