JEFF FIELDER Editor
Jeff.fielder@nspiretoday.com
GERING – Bryant Jamison is the owner of AJ’s Landscaping, located at 2610 10th St. in Gering. He also owns AJ’s Rentals & Small Engine Repairs. In this article, Jamison shares his expertise regarding some frequently asked lawn care questions.
Q: How important is it to get a lawnmower tuned up for the season, and how often should a mower be tuned up?
JAMISON: “A basic lawnmower service at our business includes replacing any filters, changing the oil, sharpening the blades, checking the cables, and making other adjustments, if needed. Under normal conditions, a good tuneup either at the beginning of the mowing season or at the end of the season is adequate. However, if you’re using your mower more excessively or in a harsh environment, you should have your mower tuned up or checked more often. Keeping the fluids and the filter clean are crucial for the performance of your mower, whether it’s an average push mower, a riding lawn mower, or a golf course greens mower. It’s just like owning a car. If you do regular maintenance on your mower, it will last longer, you’ll save on expensive repair costs down the road. Also, you won’t get frustrated by having down time due to your mower not working properly.”
Q: How important is it to keep your mower blades sharpened, and how often should they be sharpened?
JAMISON: “You should always have your blades sharpened and balanced before you start the new mowing season. If you mow with dull blades, you won’t get a nice, clean cut, and that can actually hurt your grass. Also, from an appearance standpoint, a dull blade will make your grass look burnt. An easy way to tell if your blades need sharpened is after you mow, grab some grass and look at it. If there’s a nice, clean cut at the top of the blades of grass, your blades are fine. But if there’s a big burnt look at the top of the blades, then it’s time to sharpen and balance your blades. Everybody’s grass is different, so that can make a difference in how often you sharpen your blades. Also, if you hit something while you’re mowing – like rocks, branches, etc. – that can affect your blades. I would check your blades at least once a month, depending on how often you’re mowing.”
Q: When is the best time to till a garden?
JAMISON: “The best time to till is in the spring, right before you start planting. That helps break up the dirt and aerates the soil. It also helps break down any of the previous year’s harvest. Tilling is a great idea because it revitalizes the dirt and makes it easier to plant. It will also make it easier to get things like tomato stakes and cages into the ground.”
Q: Should people aerate their lawn, and if so, how often?
JAMISON: “Aerating punches holes about 2 1/2 to 3 inches deep in the lawn. That’s important because it helps air and water get down into the soil, and it allows room for new grass roots to grow. I highly recommend aerating in the fall, but it doesn’t hurt to do it in the spring or in both the spring and fall. Overseeding is also recommended in the fall, but doing it in the spring doesn’t hurt, either, for a lush, beautiful lawn. I also recommend dethatching, if the lawn needs it. Thatch is that layer of dead grass and other substance that lays on top of the soil. It doesn’t allow for proper photosynthesis, fertilizer and water to seep into the ground.”
Q: When are the best times to water the lawn?
JAMISON: “It’s best to water either early in the morning or mid-evening. By doing this, you’ll get the maximum amount of saturation. You might also consider getting a moisture meter to put into the ground. Every lawn is different, and even some parts of the same lawn are different. Some grass might be directly in the sun, and some might be in the shade. That will affect how much water you need. Also, some types of grass require different amounts of water. So, you need to water accordingly. You don’t want to underwater, but you don’t want to overwater, either, because that can lead to turf problems. Allowing the grass to lengthen a little bit when it’s hot out helps keep the moisture in it.”
Q: What other mowing tips do you have?
JAMISON: “ It’s a good idea to mow your lawn in different directions every time. This helps keep the blades of grass from laying over. Also, avoid mowing the grass too low in the hot summer months.”
Q: Is it a bad idea to mow when the grass is wet?
JAMISON: “Mowing grass that is a little moist is OK, but it’s best to do it when the grass is dry. Mowing wet grass won’t cut your grass very well, and it can do more harm than good. Plus, you’ll get wet grass buildup on the underside of your mower. I would try to avoid mowing in the really hot part of the day, and if you mow in the mornings, I would try to wait until the dew has gone away.”
Q: Any other lawn care tips you would like to mention?
JAMISON: “I highly recommend wearing appropriate personal protective equipment, like closed-toe shoes, gloves, eye protection, and hearing protection. If you’re using a grass or tree trimmer, it’s a good idea to wear pants or even chaps. When you’re using any kind of chainsaw, you should wear closed-toe shoes, chaps, eye/head/hearing protection, and good gloves. Also, pay attention to falling hazards or even objects like rocks or debris that could injure you or hurt your equipment. When you’re pruning, make sure there’s no cable lines or power lines in the way. For any type of ground engagement, ALWAYS contact your local dig alert. You’re better off making one phone call to this company than to the repair man and to your insurance company. Something else I emphasize to people is that staying hydrated is extremely important, especially on those hot summer days. Water is your best friend. Avoid sodas and greasy foods when you’re doing yard work for extended periods of time. Fruits are better choices. If you’re feeling overly exhausted or have a headache, do the right thing and take a break. Yard work is supposed to be enjoyable and relaxing – not painful.”
Q: What are the benefits of putting down mulch?
JAMISON: “Mulching around shrubs and trees can help keep valuable moisture in the ground and reduce or eliminate weed growth. Mulching can also be aesthetically pleasing.”
Q: You recently began selling products from Hydrotex, such as motor oil, which is sold locally at Holliday Family of Companies in Gering. Why did you decide to start using Hydrotex oil and other Hydrotex products in your equipment, and why do you recommend other people use it, too?
JAMISON: “First of all, I like the Holliday Family of Companies’ business ethics and commitment to offering quality products and services. Hydrotex is part of what they do. The product line of Hydrotex is exceptional. Proper maintenance is key for anything with a motor, but beyond that, using quality fuel, oil, and other products is huge as well. Using Hydrotex oil, for example, will help protect and extend the life of your equipment, whether it’s a lawnmower or a vehicle. It’s proven to be better than other oils out there. The Hydrotex fuel additives are an incredible equipment saver, too. You’ll get better performance out of the equipment, like with a chainsaw or a lawn mower. You really can’t beat Hydrotex products.”
Q: What types of services does AJ’s Landscaping offer?
JAMISON: “We offer full-service lawn care, which includes residential and commercial lawn mowing and edging, fertilizing, tree and grass trimming, and debris removal. We offer all types of landscaping. We’ll deliver mulch, rock or whatever else you need, and we’ll also put it down for you. We also provide pressure washing for decks, fencing, and houses. We also have a lot of equipment that people can rent for a full day or a half day. There’s so many services that we offer, so people just need to call us and tell us what they need done. We appreciate everyone’s business. We’re looking forward to a fantastic year of beautiful yardscapes.”
