Before long the sound of lawn mowers and the smell of fresh cut grass will fill the air. A few things should be done in advance that will help your lawn to be at its peak.

• 1. Have your lawn mower serviced … soon! If you wait too long to have this done, there may be an extensive waiting list and your lawn may resemble a hayfield before your equipment is returned.

• 2. Servicing should include a cleaning of the mower deck undercarriage and sharpening or replacement of the blades. In the case of tractors or commercial-sized mowers, also check the tire pressure, belts and battery.

• 3. A minimum of 3 inches is preferred when cutting the lawn (usually one notch down from the highest setting). For the first mowing of the year it is generally suggested to mow at 2-2 1/2 inches. This will remove the dead upper portion of last year's grass blades and hasten the spring green-up. Don't forget to reset the cutting height back up to 3 inches for the rest of the year.

Remember, we have both warm and cool-season grasses growing in our region. The difference in green-up time can be as much as 2 months or more depending on temperatures. Nevertheless, the above suggestions apply to all.