If your grass is brown and dormant, and you haven't cut it for weeks, it might be the time to show your lawnmower some love.

"You really shouldn't be cutting your grass when it's this dry," said Scott Johnson, service manager for Billings Lawn Equipment in Royal Oak. "When it hasn't rained in a long time, there's lots of dirt and dust in your lawn and that dulls your blade."

If you're not cutting your lawn, however, it doesn't mean you can forget about your lawnmower.

"You should drain the fuel from your mower if you are not using it," Johnson said. Draining the fuel prevents the gas from going stale and potentially ruining your engine. Johnson suggests when you do put fuel in your mower, you use mid-grade gas (89 octane) to keep your engine running smooth.

Homeowners might want to consider using this downtime to have their mower serviced. Several things are done at a maintenance check: Air and fuel filters are replaced, spark plugs are looked at, and, most importantly, the blade gets sharpened.

"Having maintenance done adds life to your mower," Johnson said. "And a sharp blade gives you a better cut and is better for your grass."

Billings will do maintenance on your mower for $55, plus parts, and they can usually have your mower back in a day or two.

Lawn Tips

• When it's this dry, don't cut your lawn shorter than 3-4 inches.
• Don't use fertilizer if you are not watering frequently, "unless you want a desert" Johnson said.
• Take advantage of this down time to get maintenance done on your lawnmower, which includes sharpening the blade. A sharp blade is good for your lawn.
• What's the No. 1 tip, according to Johnson? "Pray for rain."