The Early Show

Grass Is Green? The Mower Should Be Clean

By Marianne Goldstein

May 2, 2007 / 11:32 AM EDT / CBS

What can homeowners do to be sure that their trusty lawn mowers are tuned up and ready for a busy spring and summer? The Early Show's home maintenance guru Danny Lipford has put together an easy checklist which he shared with Harry Smith.

Lipford suggests a three-step plan:

Replace the spark plug. Lipford says it's easily extracted with a wrench.

Replace the air filter. It will help the mower breathe better, he said.

Change the oil. Be sure to dispose of it properly.

Lipford says that while the spark plug is disengaged, home gardeners should sharpen the blade with a file or the abrasive wheel on a drill.

Some other ideas for lawn care from Lipford:

Don't cut wet grass;

Leave grass at least 1.5 inches high;

Don't mow in the same direction (change up between east/west and north/south);

Use the grass catcher for first & last mow of the season.

Need a checklist on preparing your lawn mower for the summer season? Lipford has put one together on his Web site, www.dannylipford.com, or click here.

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