lawn care (organic)

Organic lawn-care tactics for a safe, healthy lawn.

rethinking how i mow, and late-fall lawn tips

November 1, 2012 By 18 Comments

I MENTIONED IT IN MY resolutions (the ones I made extra-early, when I started fall cleanup weeks ago).  It’s time to rethink some of the ways I mow.  For me, part of the revised plans are aesthetic (that’s the evolving view out the upstairs window, above), but wildlife appeal and less work also figure in, since longer “lawn” may flower and set seed and of course requires less frequent attention. It’s a good time for some tips for the last mowings of the season—and an overall approach to season-long organic lawncare, including some do-it-now reminders about your mower blade, a soil test and more. [read more…]

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doodle by andre: that’s some sweet ride!

May 20, 2010 By 28 Comments

FEELING DEFEATED BY YOUR LAWN around now, when it seems to grow overnight? Apparently Mr. and Mrs. Andre are, especially since The Guy Next Door upgraded to a riding model, leaving them in the dust at mowing time. (Fortunately, I don’t think he can hear their “greeting” over the dueling engines.) I’m of the split mower personality myself, with half tractor time, half walk-behind. Do you have a sweet ride, or are you still a push-over?

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what’s wrong with this picture? (hint, it’s april!)

April 16, 2010 By 7 Comments

YES, THERE CAN BE TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING. This lesson resounded yesterday when mowing season—a part of gardening that I actually enjoy—began more than two weeks early. I haven’t even finished the needed lawn repairs…and now, this. Vroom! [read more…]

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doodle by andre: homicidal instincts?

June 4, 2009 By 38 Comments

mowingA PPARENTLY HIS ENGLISH UPBRINGING didn’t prepare him for our American mania for mowing. Andre the now-Nebraskan doodler, who recently became a homeowner with a yard of his own to tame, seems to be feeling a little, shall we say, agitated. If I recall correctly, Robert Frost didn’t say, “Good weed whackers make good neighbors,” did he? Sigh. You? Any power tools got you buzzing mad?

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long-weekend rant: do you like to mow? (part 2)

May 22, 2009 By 58 Comments

tools-of-trade(A reprise of a favorite post, perfect for summer’s official kickoff.)

I HAVE A LOVE-HATE THING GOING WITH MOWING: I always feel it’s a time-waster, but I am also always relieved there’s “mowing to be done” since that means legitimate escape from things like writing the book I have due. Mowing has immediate, tangible results; you cut grass blades, and they look cut. You try to write and, well, sometimes you don’t get any words. So tell me, do you like to mow? We’ve talked about this before, and instead of repeating myself I could have checked that you’re following the tomato-growing tips and using a rain gauge when you water and pruning your fading lilacs…or asked if you’re almost done with the May chores list. But it’s a holiday, so before I go out to you-know-what (also known as avoid writing), I’ll simply ask if you like to mow, and also say one more thing: My frogboys, all my innumerable sisters and I wish you a happy, healthy, safe, delicious long weekend, mowing or its avoidance notwithstanding.

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