Vanity: Summertime Yard Work (need yard grooming advise)

70/20/2007 | HB

[HOTTIEBOY]

Hello Hank Hill, propane and propane accessories.



Not really. I would like to have a discussion about my lawn, though. Maybe just lawn mower talk in general.

I have recently moved into a new house. The yard is very well groomed...moreso than I am used to. I am used to mowing patches of grass and weedeating a little and being done. This new yard is one of those "yard of the week" type yards. The people that owned it before me took pride in their gardening and obviously just enjoyed doing it. The grass is very lush and thick, although I don't know what species of grass it is.
Its a nice yard in a neighborhood where all the yards are very well maintained. So, I plan on keeping it that way. Problem is, I don't know that much about it.
I would rather work on cars or motorcycles or build a deck anyday, but I been trying with this yard. I been out there everyday fooling around in it.

Well, last week I think I tried too hard. I got a little over zealous with the cutting blades on my mower. My neighbor stood at the fence, "damn, you scalped it"
I really did. Now I am not sure what to do with it. I cut it down to the stems. Common sense tells me to just wait and let it grow back. Should I feed it at this point? What about maintenance?
I also have double bags on my mower. Should I let the clippings lay or use the bags?
I tell ya...if it doesn't have a motor, I don't know anything about it.

[HOTTIEBOY]

This is my steed BTW.

I need to get a new weed eater. I've got a HomeLite model in mind, but I will probably go with a HomeDepot house brand.

[Clara Lou]

If your lovely steed mulches, then let the clippings lie. Bag them if it doesn’t mulch.

[cripplecreek]

I’m no help, I prefer the wilderness look.

I cut my grass when I need to but I would never consider it groomed. I just plant lots of things that shade the ground under them to prevent weed growth and mow around them.

[mtbopfuyn]

While you’re down at Home Depot, pick up an illegal who does yard work on the cheap. /s

I wouldn’t bag it. Let it sit there and decay for a natural fertilizer.

As to the scalping, water it well and let it grow. Also, raise the blade for next time.

[Professional Engineer]

This is my steed BTW.

Got the jr. model did ya?

[Jaysun]

I’d let the clippings lay if you’ve cut the grass too short. This would help shade the grass roots from the sun.

Have you priced any lawn care companies? I sold my riding mower years ago and hired a guy to do it for us. It’s not that expensive and I don’t have to worry about it.

[HOTTIEBOY]

Doesn’t mulch. But I understand you can purchase mulching blades for it.

[Professional Engineer]

For general yard/plant/garden information, The Dirt Doctor is a great source.

http://dirtdoctor.com/

[mtbopfuyn]

Per #2 above - even if your doesn’t mulch, just drive your toy in the direction of where the clipping exit (the side shooty-thing is the technical term). That way you’re mowing over them twice which makes it into mulch anyway - once with the initial pass and second cutting them when you go over them again in tandum with the next row’s initial pass.

[HOTTIEBOY]

Hey thats me!

If my neighborhood weren’t so nice with mature trees and manicured lawns, I would concrete the whole yard.

[Clara Lou]

My lawn is St. Augustine—very manicured. For 12 years we have mulched with a self-propelled Toro push-mower. We have never fertilized, because mulching seems to have made it unnecessary. I sink to my ankles when I walk in it.

[Hydroshock]

The Homelite brand is now owned by China, and the quality is about the same as their pet food.

[Rodney King]

I don’t do the whole excessive grooming bit. I mow enough that my yard is not an eyesore, but otherwise I prefer a more lush and natural look to the gold-course green look that most oklahomans do.

[Dinsdale]

Stop watering. It cuts way down on the need to mow.

[Jersey Republican Biker Chick]

Hottie....Haven't we decided that yard work is not your forte???

How have you been??

[HOTTIEBOY]

I used to curse the rain. not only did it ruin my carwash, I knew I would have to cut grass soon.

I normally loathe yardwork. But this is starting to be a good time to ice up a twelvepack and spend an afternoon.

[HOTTIEBOY]

Hell, I have had plenty of motorcycle crashes but that ain’t stopped me.

[HOTTIEBOY]

I could do that with my grass. But not now since I skinned it.

[Jersey Republican Biker Chick]

Hey, how did your foot turn out? Do you need 2 different size boots now?

Glad you are well and can ride!!

[marsapan]

you’re a good sport, hottieboy.