Ready, set, mow! It's about time to start cutting your grass again 🌱

Mowing the grass is something I really enjoy. Even though the motor is loud, I can find a bit of peace when I am mowing. Our lawn is about a third of an acre, and with a riding mower, it takes me about an hour to take care of my grass. I like the feeling of accomplishment, and the lawn always looks perfect right after it has been mowed.

Hopefully you had your mower serviced during the winter. If you have a gas-powered mower with a four-cycle engine you should have had the oil changed. There are also filters to potentially be changed. Most importantly, the blade should be sharpened. A sharp blade making a clean cut keeps the grass blades healthy. The blade should be kept sharp through the season.

Mulch rules:It's mulching season, but don't get caught up in 'Mulch Madness' this spring

With your mower ready to go, you can start mowing as soon as the grass needs it. The first time you mow, lower the blade so that you are trimming off any winter damage from the grass. After this mowing, raise the blade back up.

The rest of the season, you should mow the grass at three inches or higher. The longer grass blades keep the grass healthier, especially in the hot summer months, because longer blades retain more moisture and shade the roots, reducing drought stress.