It’s been a tough year for Florida gardeners. Despite some perfect weather, 2020 lockdowns made it impossible to venture out to get gardening supplies. Now, with lockdowns easing and access to vaccines for all, we aren’t allowed to get them, thanks to the Florida fertilizer ban in place.
Then came winter – one of the longest and coldest winters that I can remember since I started gardening. My “winter” garden is usually bountiful because temperatures rarely dip down long enough to leave a flush of frost. Not the winter of ’20/’21, though, when it dipped below 40°F not just once or twice, but repeatedly, from early December through March, and for hours on end.
Then came the drought. While spring in Florida always brings dry weather, it seemed particularly egregious this year after watching my tropical plants frozen to the roots time and time again.
After a harsh winter and a parched spring, every Florida garden seems to need a good feed right now. However, if you didn’t manage to squeak it in during the one time it rained in May, you may find you won’t be able to feed your lawn or garden until October. So, how do you get around the Florida fertilizer ban? How do you bring your lawn back to its former glory?
Why We Have a Florida Fertilizer Ban
In the last decade, the State of Florida has encouraged residents to refrain from using fertilizers containing nitrogen and phosphorus during our annual rainy summer season. The frequent appearance of red tides, algae blooms, fish die-offs, and decimated aquatic habitats has led to restrictions.
Excess nitrogen and phosphorus have no trouble finding their way into our many waterways. These excess nutrients can lead to eutrophication, the explosive growth of free-floating algae. This excess growth blocks necessary sunlight, killing other plants, and depriving freshwater wildlife of oxygen.
Then, once the nutrients run out, the algae die off, increasing the levels of bacteria in the water, and further depleting oxygen. This creates “dead zones” in the water that can last for years.
Not only are these algae blooms bad for wildlife, they can also make our fresh water supply toxic to humans and pets. When fertilizer runoff causes large blue-green algae blooms, it can result in large levels of cyanotoxins, which can cause organ damage in humans.
It’s gotten so severe that low-lying coastal areas, like Pinellas County, are cautioning residents to not even allow grass clippings to fall into stormwater drains.
Between toxic phosphate factories causing evacuations and a record number of dead manatees, it has not been a good year for Florida waterways.
And it’s only the middle of June.
So, How to Get Around the Florida Fertilizer Ban?
I had completely forgotten about the fertilizer ban until I saw a message in one of my local gardening Facebook groups about it. I normally don’t use lawn fertilizer, but this year I decided to get some 6-6-6 to help my beloved St. Augustine Seville turf recover from the hard winter. I hadn’t gotten around to applying it since the weather warmed up, though.
Several individuals on the group were relaying where an unscrupulous person could still buy fertilizer, which counties were less restrictive, and where it could be had online.
But the truth is, you don’t get around Florida fertilizer ban.
And the good news is that you don’t really need to.
Let’s Get the Lecture Over With
Successful gardening is all about planning and patience.
(At least, that’s what I’m told by my favorite horticulturist and garden designer.)
A healthy and sustainable garden requires forward-thinking and patience with the natural processes of the garden. You just don’t rush Mother Nature. And you won’t get the best from her unless you plan ahead to meet her somewhat unpredictable nature.
So, next year, plan to buy a slow-release fertilizer and apply it in May.
Then, be patient for October.
The Upside to the Florida Fertilizer Ban
With all this rain and all these thunderstorms, your lawn isn’t likely to need any fertilizer anyway. Especially if you’ve been taking care of the soil the rest of the year.
And if you’re worried about your summer vegetable garden, all I can ask is which turnip truck you fell off of when you landed in Florida.
Because there is no such thing as a “summer vegetable garden” in Florida.
Oh, there may still be a few stoic specimens alive from the spring planting, but the only vegetables you can plant in the summer in Florida are some legumes, and they don’t need your stinking nitrogen. Almost everything you can grow in the summer here should have been planted last month.
Instead, it’s time to give the veg patch a break. Toss in some cowpeas or grow a green manure, and give it a rest.
I’m going to put a couple of my veg beds on a well-earned “bed rest” when I can find a few cool hours of the day. I’ll write about it here, and you can see how I do it and whether it makes a difference come September.
So, take a break, stay out of that heat, and let nature do its Summer Thang™.
Societal Pressures vs. Sustainable Practices
If you just have to have an emerald-green lawn because you’re hosting the family reunion barbecue or have an HOA breathing down your neck, there are a few alternatives to standard fertilizers.
1. While most lawns aren’t deficient in magnesium, a well-worn tip to green up a lawn fast is to use Epsom salts, magnesium sulfate, in a sprayer. It can improve the uptake of nutrients that are already in your soil, so you won’t have to add more.
2. Buy fertilizer without nitrogen and phosphorus. You can still do your landscape a lot of good by providing potassium (which is not restricted) and key micronutrients like iron and manganese.
3. Instead of worrying about buying fertilizer, make your own by mowing your lawn frequently and using a mulching blade. All those clippings you can’t hose down the storm drain are better used for composting in place in your soil. Frequent mowing means shorter cuts, which break down more easily in the soil.
4. Take up fishing! Who needs expensive fish emulsion fertilizer when you have over 8,000 miles of coastline to play with! Fish guts, bones, scales, and seaweed all make excellent fertilizer for your garden.
Last … and Certainly Least
If you just can’t stand the idea of going the whole summer without fertilizing your prized plumeria, well, you can always pee on it.
That’s right – even the State of Florida can’t tell you that you’re not allowed to take a tinkle in the bushes. Urine is full of nitrogen, and if you add some wood ash from your summer bonfire, you’ll have perfect tomato food, according to Scientific American.
After all – it’s organic. Just make sure you dilute it with at least 10 parts water first, and please, watch your aim. You still need to make sure it doesn’t end up in the watershed.
There’s an App for That!
So, if you’re sure you live in Florida but not sure you’re in a county or city with a Florida fertilizer ban in force, you can check the University of Florida web app. Along with an easy-to-use map of ordinances and restrictions, they also have very cool apps for finding the right plants for your zip code, designing and creating a butterfly garden, and a guide to toxic plants.
While it may seem unfair and inconvenient, the Florida fertilizer ban might just lead you to more sustainable gardening practices — like obsessive composting. It could even lead to a new hobby! (Fishing, not peeing in bushes!) If you’re out fishing, you won’t be fussing over tomatoes that won’t make it to the Fourth of July.
The unseasonably warm winter we’re having may be fooling us into thinking that spring has officially arrived. And some of us are already looking for a southern lawn care schedule. As if our lawns weren’t still all brown and dormant.
And no one can blame us. It seems that as soon as the winter solstice passes, and the holidays wrap up, the days grow longer so much quicker, that we can feel it in our gardener’s bones.
We can feel the sun return and the lengthening of the days.
And 80-degree highs during the day aren’t helping matters.
On the other hand, it never hurts to be prepared. Setting up
a do-it-yourself lawn care schedule before the question even arises is an
effective way to plan a great gardening year. And a month by month lawn care
schedule can ensure your lawn looks great this year and into the coming years.
When to Fertilize a Lawn in Spring in the South
Most lawns in the south are made up of what they call warm-season grasses. Warm-season grasses go dormant in the winter, turning brown and giving us at least a short break from constant mowing. Even during the wet winter we’ve been having.
Your southern lawn care schedule needs to be flexible to
accommodate erratic weather patterns.
Warm Season Grass Varieties
Some common types of warm-season grasses used in Zones 8 to 11 include:
Bahiagrass
Bermuda grass
Centipede grass
St. Augustine grass
Zoysia grass
In the southeast, Bahia and St. Augustine are both popular
choices. Bermuda and Zoysia are excellent choices in areas of the South that
gets winter weather.
Centipede grass is great for those who want to cut back on
lawn maintenance and spend less time on their southern lawn care
schedule.
Your Southern Lawn Care Schedule and Dormancy
While our winter weather may seem warmer than usual, it may
still not be consistently warm enough to return our southern grasses from
dormancy. They prefer soil temperatures above 70 degrees Fahrenheit, and nighttime
temperatures can have a huge impact.
While the highs may hit the high 70s and even the 80s during the day, nighttime temps below 65 mean that our grass remains dormant. This may be perfect for growing tomatoes and lettuce, but St. Augustine is still sleeping and waiting for true spring.
It’s important not to fertilize before nighttime temperatures rise above 65 on a regular basis – unless you want to just fertilize your weeds. And feeding your lawn too early can mean severe damage if you get an unexpected cold snap.
That’s why it’s so important to plan ahead. If you really want a green lawn over the winter, consider overseeding with a cool-season ryegrass. Note, however, that you’ll run into problems when you overseed St. Augustine. You may find that the damage you need to do to your turf with scarifying isn’t worth the trouble. And without it, you may not get much growth from your seed.
Southern Lawn Care Schedule: When to Fertilize
If you haven’t overseeded with a cool-season grass, you’ll
want to wait to fertilize until nighttime temperatures remain mostly above 65
degrees to prevent feeding your weeds.
Many experts will recommend fertilizing as soon as your last
frost dates passes, but that may be too early unless you’re using a weed and
feed with an herbicide. And frankly, herbicides are so often overused and are
unnecessary. Unless you have an HOA breathing down your neck about every sprout
of dollar weed, avoid them when possible.
Regardless of pressures from yard-police and gardening peers, weed and feed combinations can prove less than effective. In fact, you’re better off applying pre-emergent herbicides after the last frost date, in February or March, and then waiting a month or two before adding fertilizer. It’s more work, but it’s also more effective. If you haven’t noticed, weeds are pretty hardy little lifeforms. They’ll germinate at lower temperatures than grass will tolerant and will thrive with much less water. You want the Best fertilizer for Green Grass, not green weeds.
Fertilizing in the fall before dormancy is usually more than
adequate to feed your lawn in preparation for the first flush of spring.
Keep tabs on your temperature trends and then add fertilizer
when it warms up consistently. In fact, depending on your location, the biggest
challenge during the spring may be rainfall, not your lawn fertilizer schedule
Here in Florida, March lawn care means watering. Spring can
be extremely dry, which can cause challenges for warm-season grasses trying to
green up for spring. Your southern lawn care schedule may include weekly or
twice-weekly watering but make sure your local watering regulations permit it.
The Lawn Controversy
Some people hate lawns and think they shouldn’t
exist. I don’t know how many signs I’ve seen that say “Grow Food, Not Lawns”
all over the internet. While I’m keen on sustainable landscaping and gardening
and I love veggie gardening, I honestly think that these statements come from a
position of ignorance.
Grasses are an important part of any ecosystem, and in the natural world, they cover up to a third of arable land on the planet. At least that’s the figure I recall. They feed a vast number of Bovidae: gazelle and bison, wildebeest, and buffalo. Which then go on to feed a vast number of predators.
Bovids eat the grass to nourish them and then
return the favor by feeding it with their waste. They tend to migrate, spreading
the love and allowing the grasses a chance to grow back.
In fact, grasslands are a better and more reliable carbon sink than forests, because they store most of it underground. Grasslands also prevent soil erosion and over time, improve soil quality with their ability to keep the soil aerated with their deep running roots.
Grasses and lawns are unfairly maligned. Keeping a green swatch of grass that isn’t overly treated is far better for the environment in the long run than mulching everything in favor of raised food beds. Mulch doesn’t retain as much moisture as a healthy lawn, nor does it prevent soil erosion as well.
While I’m a vegetable grower at heart, even I don’t want a front lawn full of corn stalks.
Lawns aren’t the problem. Your southern lawn
care schedule isn’t the problem.
Our quest for the impossibly perfect lawn is
the problem. While there’s nothing wrong with curb appeal, there’s just as much
on offer with a mixed blend of grasses or a properly tended organic patch.
But grasses are hungry plants and use up a
lot of nutrients when they’re actively growing. While using a mulching mower can
add nutrients back into the soil, it may not be enough if hot and humid south. So,
your southern lawn care schedule may include a dose or two of fertilizer
every year during the active season.
Why You Need to Understand
Your Fertilizer
To look its best and remain resistant to disease and pests, your grass lawn needs a few basic nutrients. The main components of lawn food are nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Most companies refer to this as the “NPK,” because those are their atomic symbols. You’ll also see a few minerals, like iron, manganese, calcium, and others.
Like any other
plant, grasses need different balances of these nutrients depending on their
stage of growth and the time of the year. This can make choosing the best fertilizer
for your Southern lawn pretty complicated.
The best
fertilizer for grass in spring tends to rely on nitrogen, while summer feeding
may include potassium for disease and pest resistance. Phosphorus may only be
needed for newly seeded lawns or occasionally for a fall feeding before winter
depending on how well you kept to your southern lawn care schedule in previous
seasons.
Lawn Fertilizer Components
One way to determine
which is the best lawn fertilizer ratio for your lawn and the season is to understand how the common nutrients
affect the growth of your grasses. It also helps to understand how these nutrients
are balanced in most commercial formulas.
For example, you may see the “NPK” listed a series
of three numbers. These numbers express the balance of nitrogen, phosphorus,
and potassium in any given fertilizer. So, if you see a fertilizer labeled 13-1-2,
that means it has 13 percent nitrogen, 1 percent phosphorus, and 2 percent
potassium. You might also see other nutrients like iron, magnesium, or sulfur
on the label.
Nitrogen (N)
Nitrogen is what all
plants need for vegetative growth. Grasses produce a great deal of “green”
biomass, so they tend to need lots of nitrogen. Most lawn fertilizers will
feature a higher percentage of nitrogen than any other nutrient. And the Best
lawn fertilizer for Spring may feature nothing but nitrogen.
Phosphorus (P)
In plants, phosphorus drives root development. Strong roots help plants, particularly grasses, remain drought resistant with strong, deep roots. Phosphorus is also important for flowering plants.
However, for lawns, your southern lawn
care schedule shouldn’t include high levels of phosphorus, especially during
your rainy season.
Potassium (K)
Potassium can boost the overall health of
your grass and help it remain resistant to diseases and pests.
Which is the Best Lawn Fertilizer for Southern Warm-Season
Grasses
You can find a broad range of excellent fertilizers for your
Southern Lawn. Because you’ll probably need to fertilize three times a year, it’s
a good idea to alternate between high-nitrogen and balanced fertilizers.
The best fertilizer to green up a lawn in spring is a high-nitrogen formula. You can also apply high-nitrogen blends again in the summer, to give them a bit of a boost. If you have wet, rainy summers, another boost of fertilizer can help replenish the soil, if necessary. I tend to only fertilize once in the spring, but my goals for my lawn are pretty low-key.
But if you’re looking for that amazing lawn, save the balanced
formula for the fall, when you’re prepping your lawn for whatever amount of
cold weather you’ll get. These help feed roots and improve disease resistance
moving into the winter months.
Types of Fertilizers for Your Southern Lawn Care Schedule
Slow-release fertilizers, organic or synthetic, may not provide that exciting rush of instant greening, but then they don’t tend to kill fish or cause algae blooms. For all of our learning and science, nature does have a system in place for feeding grasses and other plants. While we sometimes have to improve on that process, if it’s not necessary, don’t spend the money or stress that system.
Organic Fertilizers
Organic fertilizer is made from natural plant and animal materials like feathers, bones, manure or seaweed. Fish emulsion, made from fish scraps, is one of the most popular.
Organic fertilizers are becoming more popular, especially the slow-release variety that doesn’t’ result in a deluge of nutrients entering the environment and causing trouble in the local ecosphere.
Along with being better for the environment, organic
fertilizers can be safer for your lawn, as well as your pets and kids.
Synthetic Fertilizers
I’ve been known to use synthetic fertilizers,
if not pesticides, because they provide a lot of bang for your buck and they
work quickly. Because they’re synthetic and somewhat bare forms of the basic
element, plants can uptake them quickly and put them to work.
They’re also a lot cheaper.
They do come with some downsides, unfortunately. Because they’re concentrated, they can also burn your lawn and ornamental landscaping.
They can also leach into the water table very easily and can contaminate lakes, streams, and coastlines. Note that some areas have regular fertilizer bans during the rainy season.
And finally, while they’re quick to green up
your lawn, they won’t improve the quality of your soil over time. Organic
material doesn’t just feed your plants, it also feeds the microbes and insects
that support the health of your plants. Earthworms and fungi like organic
debris, not “MiracleGro.”
Forms of Fertilizers for
your Lawn
Whether you chose organic or synthetic, you can find the best lawn fertilizers in several different forms for your convenience. Note that the form will affect how quickly it works and how long the benefits last.
Liquid Lawn Food
Your grass absorbs liquid fertilizers quickly
and readily. But it’s important to make sure to use liquid lawn food when the
grass is thirsty and hopefully when no rain is predicted.
Unfortunately, the effects don’t last very long. While liquid fertilizers are pretty good for greening up your grass early in the year or right before a big party, you’ll need to reapply it again after a couple of weeks.
Slow-Release Lawn Food
Granular fertilizers
provide a slow-release feed that generally lasts serval months. You apply it to
your lawn with a drop or rotary spreader after mowing. You may have to water it
in, or at least apply it right before it rains. With slow-release formulas –
the best time to fertilize a lawn is before or after rain. But check the
instructions, since some formulas may vary.
The benefit of these slow-release fertilizers
is that you only have to apply them every couple of months to maintain a green
lawn. However, the downside is that they don’t work very quickly.
You can, however, use both liquid and slow-release
fertilizers, especially if you use organic formulas that won’t burn your grass.
The Best Lawn Fertilizer for Your Southern Lawn
Now that you know more about lawn fertilizers, you can choose from some established and innovative new brands on the market.
1. The Andersons PGF Complete 16-4-8 Fertilizer
This all-in-one formula features a slow-release action and host of vital micronutrients like iron, manganese, sulfur, copper, and zinc. And it won’t leave your soil quality wanting, as it includes a combination of humic acid and fulvic acid, which increase nutrient absorptions in your lawn grasses by stimulating important beneficial microorganisms.
This granular formula is easy to apply and is more finely milled than other brands so that you get improved coverage.
Specifications
NPK: 16-4-8
Form: Granular
Delivery: Spreader
Season: All season
2. Grow More 5705 Water Soluble Fertilizer
While this formula is high in nitrogen, it also provides a good balance of phosphorus and potassium for overall plant health. https://amzn.to/2tcTkY3
Grow More 5705 also features micronutrients such as copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, and zinc. This formula for athletic fields is a big hit with homeowners.
This all-purpose natural liquid fertilizer features a high-nitrogen blend along with micronutrients for overall health. It’s specially formulated for Southern lawns and recommended for St. Augustine, Bermuda, Bahia, Zoysia, Centipede, and Palmetto grass
No harsh chemicals and includes seaweed and
kelp for improved soil.
Specifications
NPK: 16-4-8
Form: Liquid
Delivery: Sprayer
Season: Any
4. Urban Farm Fertilizers Liquid Lawn Fertilizer
This concentrated formula offers a broad spectrum of complete nutrition for your lawn, as well as including important mycorrhizae and enzymes for healthier soil. Your grass will readily absorb this liquid formula and you can apply it easily with a hose-end sprayer.
With humic acid and beneficial fungi, this natural fertilizer makes use of bat guano, worm casts, and kelp for a healthy lawn that safe for your family and favorite wildlife.
Specifications
NPK: 3-1-2
Form: Liquid
Delivery: Sprayer
Season: Any
5. GreenView Fairway Formula Lawn Fertilizer
Need fast greening and long-term fertilizing? GreenView offers an immediate boost of nitrogen for quick spring greening. Then, the slow-release food kicks in to last up to 12 weeks of steadying feeding. It also features a boost of sulfur to help your grass take up nutrients faster and more efficiently.
So, save time and money while still getting
the best of both liquid and slow-release fertilizers.
Specifications
NPK: 27-0-5
Form: Granular
Delivery: Spreader
Season: All-season
6. Ferti-lome Centipede Grass Fertilizer
For Southern lawns, this formula is just right for Centipede, St. Augustine, Bermuda and other warm-season grasses in the Southern lawn. The high nitrogen 15-0-15 formula keeps your lawn green and improves resistance in established lawns.
It also includes micronutrients like copper, manganese,
boron, and zinc.
Specifications
NPK: 15-0-15
Form: Granular
Delivery: Spreader
Season: Spring and Summer
7. Milorganite 0636 Organic Nitrogen Fertilizer
This organic formula releases slowly and naturally to provide extra nitrogen and potassium to your lawn safely. One special bonus is its supplemental iron content, which greens up your lawn without causing excess growth. So, you get a green lawn without any extra mowing, which means less work for you and a lowered impact on the environment.
It also contains calcium to improve acid levels in Southern gardens.
Specifications
NPK: 6-4-0
Form: Granular
Delivery: Spreader
Season: All season
Finding the Best Lawn Fertilizer for Your Southern Lawn Care Schedule
Knowing what type of grasses you have in your
lawn and how it reacts according to seasonal changes empowers you to make good
choices about your southern lawn care schedule.
And knowing what nutrients it needs – and when – makes choosing the best lawn fertilizer much simpler. You may want a quick green-up or long-term improvement. The good news is, you can achieve both if you follow your lawn’s cues.
What types of fertilizer have you found work best on your warm-season grasses? Feel free to share your favorite lawn feeding tips and tricks with our readers.
Spring is in the air, your grass is shaggy, and you’re ready to cut the lawn. But if your mower has been sitting in your shed all winter, you may find yourself wondering how to fix a lawn mower that won’t start.
How do you fix a
lawn mower that won’t start? You’ll need to troubleshoot it and identify the
problem. You may need to change the spark plug, replace the carburetor, replace
the filters, or just replace the fuel.
A gas-powered mower
needs fuel and a spark to get going, and a number of things can get in the way.
Fuel may not be getting from the carburetor to the engine. It may have a
blocked fuel line, which means it may start but then die as soon as you start
cutting.
Troubleshooting a
Stubborn Lawn Mower
It’s not unusual for a gas-powered mower to have trouble starting after sitting in a garage or shed for months. Even here in the South, our lawns go dormant and don’t need mowing when the days are short. So, an idle lawnmower can become a troubled lawnmower.
The following tips on how to fix a lawn mower
that won’t start should help you correct minor problems. The fixes are simple enough
for most people. Try these quick fixes first before taking your mower to the
repair shop or replacing it completely.
Before You Start
Before you start trying to figure out how to fix a lawn mower that won’t start, you need to take some safety precautions:
Wear Protective
Equipment
Working on a lawn
mower can mean cuts and scrapes from sharp metal edges, so work gloves are a
must. Eye protection will also keep metal shards and gas fumes out of your
eyes.
Disconnect the Spark Plug
Before troubleshooting a lawn mower that won’t start, disconnect the spark plug wire. It may bend back toward the plug and make contact, so cover the connection with electrical tape. Then tape it down as far from the plug as you can. Then, set the throttle to “stop”
What Causes a Lawn Mower Not to Start?
If you’re not sure
how to fix a lawn mower that won’t start, begin with two of the most common
issues that you can easily rectify.
Replace the Fuel
If you didn’t drain out any leftover gas before storing your mower for the winter, try replacing it. Exposure to heat, humidity, and oxygen can cause it to degrade, which means it may not work.
It may also have taken on water. Ethanol is a common additive to gasoline sold in the U.S. Unfortunately, it also absorbs water from the air, which ends up in your gas tank. And this means it can cause all sorts of damage to your mower’s engine.
So, check the fuel tank for old gasoline and replace it.
DO make sure you dispose of unused gasoline according to your local regulations. Check with a local auto parts store, as many offer this service.
Check the Mower’s Air Filter
Next, take the air filter out of your mower
and check it. If you have a paper filter, you’ll need to replace it.
If you have a sponge-type filter, you can try
cleaning it:
Remove the air filter cover and filter
Clean with diesel fuel, gasoline, or a specialized cleaner
Squeeze out all cleaner until it no longer drips and let dry.
Once dry, replace it and replace the cover.
Now that you have fresh gas and a clean filter, try starting your lawn mower again. If it still fails to start or the lawn mower starts and then dies, you can move on to the next troubleshooting steps.
Start with the spark plug wire, checking it for cracks or frays. The connection should fit tightly onto the plug.
Then take a look at the spark plug. Remove the plug and check for physical damage. If you see any, you should replace it. Changing the spark plug on a lawn mower is a quick, cheap, and easy fix.
If it’s not damaged, it may be gapped
incorrectly. However, you can clean it, check it and gap it using the following
video from lawn mower manufacturer Briggs & Stratton.
Once you’ve checked or replaced the spark plug, replace it, reconnect it, and set the throttle to start on the mower and give it another try.
If it’s still stubborn and won’t start, it’s time to check the carburetor.
Clean the Carburetor
Carburetor problems are second only to spark plug issues when it comes to figuring out how to fix a lawn mower that won’t start. It can also cause your mower to run roughly or stall out.
Remove the air filter again and check your mower’s carburetor. You’ll need to check the inside to ensure that it’s clean and functioning. If fuel is not getting from the carburetor to the engine in your mower, use automotive carburetor cleaner.
Lawn mower carburetor replacement isn’t complicated, but if you’re itching to get to the yard work, try cleaning it first. A few quick shots of carb cleaner into the device works, but avoid any plastic parts if possible.
Then, reassemble and
try starting your mower again. If it still refuses to start, try checking the
vent in the gas tank cap.
Fuel Tank Cap and Primer
If your mower has a fuel tank with a vent hole, make sure it isn’t clogged. A clogged hole forms a vacuum in the tank, preventing the fuel from flowing.
Simply unscrew the camp to let air bank into the tank. Then clean out the vent with a wire.
Then check the primer button. Some mowers have rubber push-button primers that can deteriorate. You may need to replace it. Luckily, it’s a simple job and you can find plenty of videos that show how to replace the one on your machine.
Common Lawn Mower Problems
Now that you know
how to fix a lawn mower that won’t start because of the most common problems,
you’ll want to know how to deal with other problems that often come up.
How
to fix a lawn mower pull cord
There are a couple of common problems that
make the pull cord on your lawn mower hard to pull.
Safety bar not tightly pressed to handle
Mower sitting in tall grass that prevents the blade from rotating
Mower deck caked with wet grass
Lawn Mower Loses Power When Blades Engaged
If your lawn mower is losing power when you’re mowing, it’s most likely because your grass is too tall, too thick, or even too wet.
First, check that the deck isn’t clogged with
grass. Then, raise the blade a notch to see if that resolves the problem. You
may have to raise it by several settings until you get it high enough that the
wet grass doesn’t stall out your mower.
You can lower the blade and make another pass
on your lawn, but if wet grass is the problem, you’re better off waiting for it
to dry.
If Your Lawn Mower Is Smoking
Overfilling and oil spills are the primary cause of a smoking lawnmower. You can wipe up any excessive spills with paper towels and then run the machine and let the oil burn off.
If your mower is smoking and running roughly
or stalling out, however, you’ll probably need to have it checked by a professional.
When Your Brand New Lawn Mower Won’t Start
Nothing is as frustrating as buying an
expensive new machine for your yardwork only to have it fail on day one.
Before boxing it back up for the return desk, try a few of these tricks:
Priming
New mowers may have air in the fuel line and
combustion chamber. So, make sure you prime it before starting it. Check the
manual for priming directions.
Fuel Tank
Your new mower may have been a floor demo.
So, check it to see if the retailer put fuel in the tank. If it’s been sitting
around with fuel in the tank, you’ll need to replace it.
Two-Stroke Engines
Some mowers have two-stroke engines and some
have four-stroke engines. While four-stroke engines use regular gasoline, two-stroke
models are more complicated.
Two-stroke engines require a mix of gas and oil to run, so check your owner’s manual and follow the directions to the letter.
Choked Off
Some manufacturers ship lawn mowers with the choke in the closed position. This blocks how much air can get into the carburetor, which will prevent your brand new lawn mower from starting.
Open the choke to increase the airflow until
it starts and stays running. Then return the chock to the normal position as
indicated in your manual.
Cutoff Switch
Some new gas-powered mowers come with a safety switch that cuts off the fuel. If your mower has an electric starter, check the manual to see if it has a cutoff switch too.
These safety switches can make getting a brand new lawn mower started difficult if you’re not used to them. But they can prevent gas leaks and accidents.
Conquer the Mower, Conquer the Lawn
You now know a few tricks for how to fix a lawnmower that won’t start. Hopefully, you were able to get your trusty mower working and get out on that turf.
However, if none of these tips resolved the problem, it may be time to call a repairman. Call the manufacturer first, though, in case they have any other tricks to try. At the very least, they can help you find a repair shop in your locale experienced with their products.
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