How To Care For Your Lawn

It’s easy to look at many of the beautifully manicured yards that exist throughout our neighborhoods and communities and wonder just how they do it.  Pristine lawns and perfect flower beds perfectly complement houses, and it all can make us a little jealous.  Believe it or not, most of these horticultural masterminds were once in our shoes and had to hone their craft through years of trial and error. 

In order to really get your yard looking swell, the main tools for success you will need are a lawn mower and a string trimmer, which is more commonly known as a weed whacker.  It’s more than likely that you already have at least a lawn mower, and you can buy a weed whacker quite affordably. 

When mowing your lawn, it’s important to remember the following steps:

• -        Remember to mow your lawn when the grass is dry
• -        Be sure to adjust the blades to ensure that the grass cut no shorter than least 3 inches
• -        Mow in a distinguished pattern, and change the mowing pattern each time you mow
• -        Always mow with the mower in front of you
• -        Avoid mowing in the heat of the day to prevent heat stress on the grass (and on yourself)
• -        Keep your mower blades sharp and balanced

When trying your hand at weed whacking, remember the following steps:

• -        Hold the weed whacker as close to the ground as possible, then start it
• -        Use a steady side to side motion, walking forward
• -        Make sure to not run the weed whacker on rocks, as they will wear down the line more quickly.
• -        If weeds aren’t being cut immediately, turn the weed whacker off and pull more thread out.

As you hone your craft, mowing will become more easy and enjoyable.  Caring for your lawn mower can seem overwhelming, but as long as you are adding the right kind of fuel and are sharpening the blades regularly (experts agree that blades should be sharpened every 8-12 hours of use), you’ll be ok.  Caring for a weed whacker is fairly simple as well, as you will need to make sure that you have enough line to get the job done, as well as the right kind of fuel, if your weed whacker is gas-powered. 

If you need further repairs, Crowell’s Flying Wrench offers affordable, convenient mobile small engine repair.  Our lawn mower repair in Herriman, UT will come right to you and make sure that your mower or weed whacker is always running like new.  Give us a call at (801) 860-3605 or schedule an appointment on www.crowellsflyingwrench.com today.  We look forward to serving you!

How Long Should Your Grass Be When You Mow It?

Now that spring has sprung, it’s nearly time to dust off your lawn mower and get your yard looking immaculate.  Mowing a lawn is considered an art form by many people, as you will often see various patterns and trims as you head through your neighborhood.  One question that is often asked is regarding the length of cut grass.  The length of grass is vital to keeping a beautiful, green, weed-free yard.

When dealing with grass height, there are several considerations to be taken into account.  By keeping grass at least 3 inches tall until the autumn, you are ensuring that weed seeds from germinating and taking over your yard.  Those nasty crabgrass seeds need light to germinate, and by keeping your grass long, you ensure that doesn’t happen.  Certain species of grass, including bentgrass, Bermudagrass, and seasore paspalum can be cut down as low as one inch, but these are the exception, rather than the rule. 

Also, by keeping it at least 3 inches in length, you are ensuring that your soil doesn’t dry out, which leads to brown grass and overwatering.  Overwatering has become a problem in our Utah communities in the summer, especially with the water conservation acts that have become vital as our population continues to grow. 

It is also important to remember the rule of thirds.  What this means is that when you cut your grass, no more than one-third of the grass plant should be cut at any one time.  Then, after trimming the grass, you will need to wait at least 48 hours before trimming again.  The grass plant is sensitive, while resilient, and cutting it affects the plant, necessitating a 48-hour period to heal.  After these 48 hours have passed, the grass has had an ample opportunity to fully heal, so it can again be trimmed, by that same one-third ratio.

In order to ensure a freshly cut lawn, it’s vital to make sure that your lawn mower is in tip top condition.  If it is in need of service, Crowell’s Flying Wrench will help you get it running like new.  Crowell’s Flying Wrench is a full-service mobile repair company that specializes in small engines.  Our lawnmower repair in Sandy, UT will come to you and get your lawn mower running like new in no time.  Give Crowell’s Flying Wrench a call at (801) 860-3605, or visit our website at www.crowellsflyingwrench.com to schedule an appointment today!

Which Snow Blower to Buy?

Winter has unofficially arrived.  As many parts of the country find themselves buried under feet of fresh powder, many of us find ourselves thinking how we are going to dig ourselves out when the storm hits.  Snow blowers have made life significantly easier for our snow-filled lives, but the important decision of choosing the best snow blower must be answered.  There are several brands of snow blower that offer great features and reliable performance, and each of them is angling for your hard-earned money.  

For those of you looking for the best snow blower of 2014, look no further than Troy-Bilt.  Troy-Bilt offers a wide array of reliable, durable snow blowers that can handle even the toughest of jobs.  Troy-Bilt offers a 2-year limited warranty and affordable financing options.  The Troy-Bilt 31AH64Q has been recognized by Consumer Reports as the best snow blower buy for your money this year, as it includes heated handgrips, joystick control, and offers the benefits of a double-stage gas blower for the price of a single-stage blower. 

Ariens also offers a variety of award-winning snow blowers that meet your needs and feature a selection of premium features.  The Arians 921022 is a critically-acclaimed double-stage snow blower that Consumer Reports recognizes as one of the year’s best.  What sets this snow blower apart is its heavy duty construction and immense power.  Ariens is renowned for durability and 3-year limited warranty.  Financing is also an option, allowing you to find a model that suits your needs and fits your budget. 

If you are looking for a more affordable option, the $700 Craftsman 88970 is an impressive double-stage machine.  This 26-inch gas blower is backed by the dependability of Craftsman, one of America’s most reputable brands.  This particular model offers great clearance and tremendous power output, helping make the task at hand a breeze.  Enjoy a two-year limited warranty and joystick control, with a limited lifetime warranty on upper and lower chute.

If looking for a single-stage snow blower, look no further than the Simplicity SS7522E.  Simplicity offers an affordable alternative to many of the more well-known brands, while featuring superior performance.  This particular model features a 163cc Briggs & Stratton 4-cycle motor, electric start, and highly-rated throwing power.  This $499 snow blower offers a two-year limited warranty and financing. 

Any of these award-winning snow blowers will make snow removal a breeze, while not putting a dent in your wallet.  However, as time goes on, many of these models will need to be serviced or repaired.  Crowell’s Flying Wrench offers local, mobile snow blower repair acrossthe Salt Lake County and Summit County to help your machine remain in tip-top condition.  We are here to serve you. 

By: Kyson Crowell

What Snow Blower Best Fits You?

       Utah winters can be brutal.  Experiencing lake-effect snow can quickly turn 2 inches of freshly coated snow into 2 feet of packed powder that leaves our driveways buried in.  Digging our way out of that snow without a snow blower can be daunting, to say the least.  Most of us can recall stories from our childhood of being woken up by Dad hours before dawn to head outside with the shovel and get to work.  It’s a wonder many of us don’t walk around with debilitating back injuries from all that heavy lifting. 

       

       Even to this day, many people haven’t made the move to buy a snow blower.  If you’re a newbie, it’s hard to know which snow blower is best.  There are two primary types of snow blowers: single-stage and double-stage.  Single-stage models also offer gas and electric options, further confusing the uninitiated.  Knowing which type to buy may seem daunting, but in reality, the decision is easy once you understand what you are looking for. 

       A single-stage gas snow blower is ideal for a flat, midsized paved driveway.  They are most effective in areas that receive an average snowfall of 8 inches or less of snow or less.  Single-stage blowers are light, easy to handle, and require the same amount of garage storage as a typical lawnmower.   A single-stage gas model will give you a 20- to 22-inch swath when clearing your driveway. Gas-powered models are two-cycle engines and require regular maintenance and most offer electric starters.  Single-stage snow blowers are not a good choice for gravel driveways as the auger contacts the ground, and the limited drive action makes steep hills undoable, as the machine will pull from side to side.  

       

       Single-stage electric models are ideal if you have a short, flat paved driveway and walk while electric snow blowers are most effective in areas that receive an average snowfall of 4 inches while an electric model will give you an 11- to 18-inch swath.  Single-stage electric snow blowers offer many of the same advantages and disadvantages, while being quieter and not requiring regular maintenance.  Just be aware that you’ll require a long extension cord you will have to tote with you.

Double-stage snow blowers are the best option for you if you have a long, wide, or hilly driveway and receive a typical snowfall of 8 inches or more.  Two-stage blowers clear a 24-32 inch swath, ensuring your job is done much more quickly and efficiently.  Double-stage blowers are required for gravel driveways, as the awning won’t contact the ground.  They offer electric starting and have driven wheels and an impeller to throw snow.  Two-stages are quite heavy and take up as much space as some sit-down mowers, while requiring regular maintenance. 

When choosing any model, be sure to try the controls to ensure that you are comfortable with the way it handles, the height of the controls, and the ease of chute adjustment.  One-handed drive and auger are important on a double-stage model.  Keep your eyes open for models with headlights and dead-man control.

       

       When the time comes to repair your new investment, Crowell’s Flying Wrench offers local, mobile snow blower repair throughout the Salt Lake Valley and we are a top pick for snow blower tune up's and repair in Park City.  We offer outstanding customer service and competitive pricing that will fit any budget.  Our trustworthy team brings years of repair experience to meet any need.

By: Kyson Crowell