COTTLEVILLE, Mo. – It’s been feeling like spring, and now it’s time to prepare for it.

Experts say now is the time to get lawn equipment ready. Depending on the weather, Missourians could be cutting grass in about a month.

Philip Young, the owner of Lawn & Mower Doc, said the rise in customers is blooming due to the change of weather.

“The season’s basically starting now. As soon as the weather starts getting warm, that’s when people start coming out,” Young said.

While he’s seeing all types of yard equipment come in, one focus is the mowers.

“Your maintenance needs to be done. That’s what (is) going to make your equipment last,” he said. “Sharpening all your blades, lubing all your grease fittings, replacing air filters, spark plugs, your oil, oil filter and basically cleaning the machine up where it needs to be cleaned.”

A sharp blade is very important for keeping lawn’s healthy.

“That’s important because your grass thinks it’s important. If you don’t sharpen it, it’s going to tear your grass, and it’s going to cause diseases,” Young explained. “You basically want to cut it. You don’t want to tear it.”

Young says if you’re mechanically minded, you can do the work yourself or take it to a professional. 

Cottleville resident Matt De Miranda agrees that yearly maintenance is necessary.

“Sharpen blades, change oil, spark plugs. I always swap out new gas at the beginning of the year,” De Miranda said. “I’ll try to tackle most of that stuff more on my own. When I get in over my head, I always come to the lawn doc because he does a good job getting my stuff fixed pretty quickly and turned around.”

It’s not just mowing the lawn Missourians are getting ready for; there’s plenty of cleanup to do outdoors.

“I’ve got the pressure washer today. You know, got the garage to clean out from all the salt and stuff from the storm. Another one of those that I couldn’t tackle myself,” De Miranda said.

And with the season quickly approaching, it’s good not to wait.

“Basically, the longer you wait, the longer you’re going to have to wait. It’s always best to get it in as early as possible,” Young said.