Spring is just around the corner, so now’s the time to make sure your lawn spray business is ready to hit the ground running. From spray rig care to settling with Uncle Sam, Teddy offers up advice that will help you get the most from your busy season.
Start Pre-emergent Applications: February through mid-March is the time to apply a pre-emergent weed control to combat crabgrass.
File Taxes By March 15: The filing deadline for a business is March 15 – a month earlier than for individual tax returns. But do yourself a favor and don’t wait till the last minute. Your accountant’s busy season is in full swing, and yours is about to ramp up. So, carve out time in February to get your accountant the information needed to file before the deadline. If you file late, you’ll end up paying a penalty and interest on any taxes due.
Reverse-Winterize Your Spray Rig: If you live in a part of the country where your lawn spray business takes a winter break, you should have winterized your rig. One of the most important aspects of winterizing is draining liquid from tanks, pumps, and hoses to prevent it from freezing and damaging these components.
After the threat of freezing has passed for your region, you’ll need to reverse the winterization process. This includes:
- Closing valves you opened to let liquid drain
- Reinstalling strainer caps, screens, or plugs you removed
- Inspecting hoses and belts for cracks and signs of dry rot
- Checking belt tension on idlers – belts should have about a half-inch of spring
- Bucket testing pumps for optimal rate of flow
You can check out our video or visit our blog post for more info on getting your rig ready for spring.
Take an Inventory of Repair Kits and Replacement Parts: Your best defense against downtime is to make sure you’re prepared for minor repairs by having the parts you need on hand. We recommend ordering any kits and replacement parts now, before you find yourself in the field and unable to work. You can click here for a printable list of the repair kits and other parts you’re most likely to need.
Give Your Spray Rig a Facelift: Inspect spray equipment and your truck for signs of rust or a needed paint job. The rewards of tending to dings, scratches, and other surface defects are twofold: It helps increase the longevity of your spray rig and enables your spray business to present itself to customers and prospects in a favorable light.
Here’s wishing you a great start to your busy season.