You can help keep your lawn looking its best this spring and summer by adjusting your lawnmower. In all likelihood, it's currently set too low. Raise it at least one notch before you mow again. If you scalp your lawn the way many homeowners do, you run the risk of starving your grass. Longer blades absorb more sunlight and grow stronger roots. They also help keep out weeds. Avoid cutting your lawn when it's wet. The clippings will clump together and make your job more difficult. Keep your lawnmower blades sharp. Sharpen them yourself, or have it done by a professional. Consider purchasing a mulching mower, which chops the grass clippings into fine particles and forces them back down to the base of the grass. As clippings decompose, they release nitrogen for the live grass to use. A mulching mower costs a little more than a regular one, but it helps keep your lawn healthy and saves you the trouble of raking up the clippings. You can also install a mulching attachment on your existing lawnmower. Change directions when you mow to avoid creating ruts in the lawn. Simple Hose Repair If the end of your garden hose is damaged, you don't have to throw the whole thing away. You can fix it with a hose coupling. First, cut off the damaged area, and measure the hose's inside diameter. Use the measurement to help you choose the proper size of hose coupling at the hardware store. Once you have a coupling, soak the hose and coupling in hot soapy water, which acts as a lubricant and softens the hose. Insert the coupling into the end of the hose. Crimp it with pliers (figure A), or tighten a clamp over the end of the hose (figure B). If the cut is in the middle of the hose, you can use hose couplings to splice it together. To reduce the risk of damage to your hose, store it on a hose reel or hanger.
| 
)
)
