Servicing equipment in winter

Why winter

The lawn is dormant from December to February, so the tools are idle. The first spring mow comes suddenly, and a blunt blade on that first cut tears the grass and browns the tips. Winter is when service centers are quiet and parts are easy to get.

The mower

• Blade: sharpen it, or replace it if it is bent, cracked or worn thin. Balance it after sharpening so it does not vibrate.
• Underside: scrape off caked clippings, which hold moisture and rust the deck.
• Battery mowers: store batteries indoors, above freezing, at about half charge, and top them up every couple of months.
• Petrol mowers: change the oil, clean or replace the air filter and spark plug, and either drain the fuel or add stabilizer.
• Check wheels, cables and the grass box for wear.

Everything else

Clean and oil shears and trimmer heads, calibrate or clean out the spreader so last year’s fertilizer has not caked inside, check hoses and the sprinkler timer, and store everything dry.

While you are at it, plan the season and order supplies.