Here it is, the first full week of December, and we’ve already had to shovel snow. But we can still rake leaves and mow the lawn. Although winter has not officially arrived, many garden chores are coming to an end. It is time to wrap up last-minute tasks and put away power equipment for the winter. Here are a few tips to help you successfully store your lawn mower this season:

Drain fluids

Start by draining the unused fuel from the gas tank. Take care to do this in a well-ventilated location with no open flames such as space heaters or water heaters. Unused gas left in the tank can go “stale” and won’t perform well next spring. Likewise, drain the oil and fill it with fresh. Be sure to recycle the used oil and not discard it where it can contaminate surface or ground water. Most local auto part stores and oil changing service centers accept used oil.

Service engine

Next, remove and clean the air filter. Grass and dirt can clog the filter, decreasing engine performance. Lightly soak the cleaned filter with oil to help capture finer dust particles. Likewise, remove and replace the spark plug. Depending on how much you use the mower, the plug should be replaced once a season. If the plug is burned, cracked or worn — replace it. If it is only dirty, use steel wool or emery cloth to clean the firing tip. Make sure to check the gap so the plug fires properly when reinstalled.

Sharpen blade

Finally, remove and sharpen the mower blade. Mowing can be one of the most critical and underrated cultural practices in turfgrass management. Sharp mower blades are an essential component of proper mowing as they leave a smooth cut surface that heals quickly. Dull blades tear the grass blade, leaving a shredded tip that attracts insects or disease.

Sharpening rotary mower blades is fairly straightforward. The following steps should help guide you through the process:

• Disconnect the spark plug wire. Using hand protection, remove the blade per manufacturer’s directions.
• Check the blade for major damage. Blades that have large chips or are bent should be replaced.
• Remove grass and debris from the blade with a moist cloth.
• Remove nicks from the cutting edge using a grinding wheel, bench grinder or hand file. If using a grinding wheel or bench grinder, match the existing edge angle to the wheel. If hand-filing, file at the same angle as the existing edge. Avoid overheating the blade as it could warp.
• Grind or file until the cutting edge is 1/32 inch thick, or about the size of a period.
• Clean the blade with solvent or oil light weight oil for optimum winter storage. Avoid using water as it will promote rust.