Regardless of how sharp you keep you mower blade, every time you mow the grass the blade is put through a period of "shock" from the cutting. When a blade of grass is severed, the remaining grass plant must go through a period of healing to seal the cut. A sharp blade cuts cleanly through the grass and leaves a nice, straight slice, which minimizes the shock to the plant and the time required for healing. On the other hand, a dull blade will basically shred the grass. Even though the grass is "cut," it's shredded, ripped, and severely torn, which causes the grass plant to endure an extended period of healing and water loss. Not to mention, a greater risk of becoming infected or infested with microbes or insects. A grass plant that endures a nice, clean slice is far less likely to suffer prolonged damage or disease.

If you're handy with tools and know your way around a mower, sharpening your own blade isn't that difficult. Many retail locations sell a sharpening grinding stone designed specifically for mower blades. You can also purchase a tool that will hold the blade in place when you are removing the bolt that secures the blade to the engine shaft. Use a permanent marker or awl to mark the bottom of the blade before you remove it. And, safety first, which means always removing the spark plug wire from the spark plug before doing anything under or around the mower!

Once you have sharpened the blade, put a touch of oil on the bolt threads and refasten the blade securely to the shaft. After the first mow with the newly sharpened blade, recheck the bolt to ensure it is securely tight. Also, if you've sharpened the blade several times, make sure you check the balance of the blade. An unbalanced blade can cause damage to the mower and possible injury to the user. If a blade can no longer be sharpened and retain balance purchase a new blade - better safe than sorry!

Your owner's manual should have instruction on proper maintenance, and even if you can't find your manual, a quick check of the internet with make and model of your mower in hand will get you to a manufacturer's website. If you don't feel comfortable with sharpening your own blade that's quite okay - the dealer where you purchased your mower may provide this type of service, and there are many professional companies in our area that will perform this work for you. Regardless of which works best for you, a sharp blade always works best for your lawn! By maintaining a sharp blade your blades of grass will benefit tremendously! This will also reduce the amount of maintenance needed for a beautiful lawn.

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