As if the flowering trees, warming temperatures and tulips aren’t enough of a hint, the roar of the lawn mower and the wonderful scent of freshly cut grass are sure giveaways. Spring is here.

The grass, greening before our eyes, keeps growing and growing. In fact, about 1 million grass plants grow in a 30- by 30-foot lawn. Those tiny green blades make for a beautiful lawn. At the same time, that’s a lot of grass to cut.

For some people, mowing the lawn is a great way to connect with the garden and get exercise. Others find it a drudgery best done as quickly and infrequently as possible. There are the homeowners who merely cut the lawn so it looks presentable, while others are sticklers for having it just so, well-manicured to a “T.”

No matter your take on mowing and landscaping preferences, a lawn mower exists for you. Some mowers help get the job done quickly.

“A self-propelled model lets you steer without the strain,” said Noel Howard of Home Depot. “It virtually moves itself and is ideal for hilly lawns.”

On the other hand, a push mower provides a more aerobic workout. Both types range from 20 to 22 inches in width cut and have 3.5 to 6 horsepower.

A riding mower with an average horsepower of 11 and a width cut of 30 inches is ideal for people with lawns greater than a half an acre or those people with special needs. Riding tractors have more powerful motors ranging from 12.5 to 20 horsepower.

The classic reel mower has no motor and, some argue, it provides the best cut.

Conveniences and needs

Deciding on a lawn mower is largely a question of budget, lawn size and lawn topography. Consider the incline and number of obstacles.

“You’ll also have to decide between front-wheel drive, which is best for flat terrain, or rear-wheel drive, which provides better traction on hills and when mowing moist grass,” Howard said.

A multispeed feature also is helpful on hills and for areas with overgrown grass.

Next, decide on either a gas or electric model. Gas mowers have been the traditional lawn mower of choice. Electric models are gaining in popularity because they don’t emit exhaust fumes and will not pollute the air.

Many people also prefer the ease of starting an electric lawn mower. With a turn of the key, the engine starts. No more yanking a rope time after time. (Gas-powered mowers with batteries also feature an ignition that starts with a key.) Electric mowers are generally maintenance-free and quiet. They come in cordless or rechargeable models.

“Both have positive features,” Howard said. “The choice really comes down to the conveniences and needs of the user.”

Remember maintenance

Mower maintenance is key to getting a good cut of the lawn and keeping your investment in tip-top shape. At the end of last season you should have drained the gasoline from the mower’s reservoir.

If you neglected to do so, drain the gas from the tank before the first mowing of this season. This will siphon off any condensation that has formed in the bottom of the gas tank and prevent it from being drawn into the carburetor, wetting the spark plugs and making the engine hard to start.

Keep the mower blades sharp and nick-free so the grass is cut cleanly. Dull mower blades shred the ends of the grass blades and make the turf more susceptible to disease. Under normal use, blades should be sharpened at the beginning of the season and again in August.

Follow the one-third rule: Cut only a third or less of the grass length at any one mowing. When the grass is cut too short, stalky stems grow and the lawn has a scalped look that shows the yellow base of the plants. If grass gets too long between cutting, stagger the mowing over several days to remove a third of the length each day.

Lastly, base your mowing schedule on how quickly the grass is growing, not on the day of the week.

Carol Boncella is education coordinator at Lawrence Memorial Hospital and home and garden writer for the Journal-World.