An upcoming workshop will help southeast Winnipeggers sharpen their mowing skills.

The Manitoba Eco-Network’s Mow Better Clinic will be held at Norberry-Glenlee Community Centre, located at 26 Molgat Ave., on Thurs., June 28 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The event will be open to all Winnipeggers.

Natalie Baird, the network’s organic lawn care educator, said the free session is aimed at individuals who are thinking of buying a new environmentally-friendly mower and those who want information on how to cut their grass more effectively.

"We’re targeting homeowners that have made steps toward ecological lawn care and want to move that way," said Baird, who lives in St. Vital, noting that push mowers are often the choice of residents with smaller yards.

The workshop will include a sharpening demonstration for reel and rotary mowers and a PowerPoint presentation that will outline organic principles for proper mowing, including the most cost-effective ways to sharpen blades.

"Mow sharp, mow high, mow dry, switch directions, mow in the early evening and leave your grass clippings, as they will decompose quickly and add nutrients to your lawn," Baird said.  

The session will also look at the differences between mower types and the pros and cons of keeping or recycling your old  mower, including resources on how to responsibly recycle used oil products and old machines. Mowers in good working condition, for example, can be donated to the Habitat for Humanity ReStore at 60 Archibald St.

West End-area residents who attended a recent clinic — and brought along their manually-operated mowers — at Daniel McIntyre St. Matthews Community Association on Ellice Avenue said the session was helpful and informative.

"I live in the community and I’m interested in learning how to sharpen my mower," said area resident Jeffrey Patteson.

"I’ve had this one for six or seven years. Before that I had an old electric one that conked out on me, so I bought this from a fellow on Arlington Street. I used to take it to get sharpened in the past."

Area resident Jayne Miles said it was good to get a hands-on tutorial with her mower.

"This workshop is great because it’s very convenient and accessible," she said. "This is my roommate’s mower, but she’s away.

"I’ve never taken apart a mower before, so this is a good opportunity to do it and get hands-on results."

For more information, or to register up until the day of the event, call 947-6511 or visit www.mbeconetwork.org.

simon.fuller@canstarnews.com