As the days grow longer in and the warmer weather approaches, it’s the perfect time to turn your attention to lawn and garden maintenance. The transition from winter to spring brings a sense of renewal, making it the ideal season to rejuvenate your outdoor spaces. 

Beautiful lawns and gardens are about more than enhancing curb appeal; they create a peaceful retreat for you and your family to enjoy throughout the summer months. 

Now, let’s get into the details–here’s how to prepare your lawn and garden power equipment for the growing season.

How to Prepare Beautiful Lawns & Gardens

Fill In Bare Spots

For Spring lawn care, the first step is to address any bare spots that reveal themselves once the snow melts. Bare patches are unsightly and can give your property a neglected look. But, more importantly, these spots are prime targets for the spread of grassy weeds and broadleaf weeds, which can make it nearly impossible to achieve a pristine lawn surface. 

By promptly addressing bare areas with new grass seed, you help the health of your entire lawn. 

To fill in a bare patch, the first step is to loosen and remove any debris, such as branches or dead leaves. Next, spread a thin layer (1-2 cm is usually enough) of lawn soil before you apply grass seed. After the seed is down, pass over it again with the backside of your garden rake to help mix it all together. After that, all you have to do is water regularly and watch the grass grow. Once it reaches a height of 8-10 cm, you are ready to mow!

Aerate for Better Soil Health

Using a lawn aerator to deal with compacted soil is a key practice for maintaining a healthy lawn. Aerating allows water, air, and lawn fertilizer to penetrate the soil more effectively. 

Lawn Fertilizer 

Just like a garden, lawns need fertilizer. Although often overlooked, fertilizers can give your lawn growth a huge boost. For best results, test the soil in your yard in a few different areas, so you can find the right type of fertilizer for the specific conditions on your property. 

Applying fertilizer is a simple process. All you need is a lawn spreader. Lawn fertilizers generally have instructions to follow, so whether you have a drop spreader or a centrifugal (rotary) spreader, you should have an easy time finding the right settings. If there isn’t rain in the forecast the next day after applying lawn fertilizer, remember to water your lawn thoroughly, so that the fertilizer is fully absorbed.

Mow Regularly for a Healthy Lawn

Keeping your grass at the right height promotes healthy growth and prevents weeds from taking over. When it comes to lawn clippings, some people prefer to bag and remove the dead grass, while others simply leave it on the lawn and let nature take its course. The best choice for your situation depends on the length of the clippings–short clippings will mix easily into the lawn and decompose, while very long clippings could clump and cover live grass, creating dead spots. 

If your current lawn mower struggles to achieve a clean, even cut, we offer a variety of mowers at Rentco, including walk-behind mowers for small to medium lawns and riding mowers for larger properties. Our knowledgeable staff can help you choose the right mower to match your lawn’s size and terrain.

Edge and Trim for a Polished Look

Edgers make it easy to create clean boundaries along driveways, walkways, and garden beds. Rentco carries top brands like Stihl™ and Husqvarna™ that offer powerful and efficient trimmers and edgers.

Garden Bed Preparation and Maintenance

Proper garden bed preparation begins with soil testing and amendment. Start by testing your soil to determine its pH and nutrient levels, so you find the right blend of compost or fertilizers to create a fertile growing environment. A well-balanced and nutrient-rich garden bed sets the foundation for a thriving garden.

Clear the area of any weeds, rocks, or debris, and use a tiller to break up compacted soil and mix in the amendments. Tilling not only aerates the soil but also helps incorporate organic matter evenly. 

Maintaining your garden beds is equally important for sustaining plant health. Apply a layer of mulch to help retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Organic mulches, such as wood chips or straw, also add nutrients to the soil as they decompose, providing ongoing benefits to your plants.

Regularly remove weeds to prevent them from competing with your plants for nutrients, and prune dead or diseased plant material to promote healthy growth. 

Tools like tillers and cultivators are essential for breaking up soil and mixing in organic matter. Rentco offers high-quality tillers that make soil preparation quick and efficient. We also have a range of hand tools, such as shovels, trowels, and pruners, to help with planting and maintaining your garden beds.

Power Equipment Checklist

Whether you’re a homeowner or a professional landscaper, these steps will help you prepare your equipment for the busy months ahead.

Assess and Clean Equipment

The first step is inspection. Examine your mower, trimmer, blower, and any other power equipment you use for your lawn or garden for signs of damage or wear. If you identify a clearly damaged or compromised part, it should be replaced before you use the equipment. If you aren’t sure where to start to find the right part, the knowledgeable team at Rentco can help you find what you need in short order. 

Next, thoroughly clean your equipment to remove dirt, debris, and old grass clippings, using a brush, or compressed air to clean hard-to-reach areas. Finally, a little bit of lubrication can go a long way to reducing wear and tear. Lubricate all moving parts, applying appropriate lubricants to hinges, cables, and other components. 

Sharpen or Replace Blades

Sharp mower blades are an absolute must for clean cuts and healthy grass. To sharpen a mower blade, remove the blade from the mower and sharpen it with a file or grinder.

If the blade is excessively worn or damaged, consider replacing it before use. 

Check Fluid Levels

Fresh oil is crucial for your engine’s health, as aging oil becomes thick and less effective over time.

To change the oil in your lawnmower or other gas-powered equipment, run the engine for a few minutes to warm the oil, then drain the old oil, replace the oil filter if necessary, and fill with fresh oil according to the manufacturer’s specifications. 

Battery Maintenance

For battery-powered equipment, check for corrosion on the terminals and clean them if necessary. Ensure all connections are secure to prevent power issues.

Testing

Start each piece of equipment to ensure it runs smoothly. Listen for any unusual noises or signs of trouble, such as sputtering or difficulty starting.

Why Choose Rentco for Your Lawn and Garden Needs?

We hope you found these lawn care tips guidelines helpful!

At Rentco, we understand the importance of having the right tools for lawn and garden maintenance. Our extensive inventory of rental equipment, ranging from over seeders and gas-powered lawn rakes to gardening augers, riding mowers, aerators and more, gives you  access to the best tools without the upfront cost of purchasing. Our knowledgeable staff is always available to provide expert advice and recommendations, ensuring you choose the right equipment for your specific needs.

By renting tools from Rentco, you can tackle your lawn and garden projects with confidence, knowing you have reliable and well-maintained equipment. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a novice green thumb, having the right tools can make all the difference. At Rentco, we offer a wide range of lawn and garden equipment rental options–everything you need to keep your outdoor spaces in top shape!