Clean Sweep
I did it.
After complaining about leaf blowers, and recognizing that my own lawn service uses them, I called the owner yesterday and asked him to stop using them when they mow my yard. The conversation was amusing.
The very polite man said, “Okay, we’ll just run them on low, not [and here he imitated the screechingly high noise of a leaf blower].”
I demurred, stating again that I didn’t want them used at all. Then, as if reminding someone on the ledge of a building how dangerous his situation was, he said, “But, but, you’ll have grass clippings on your sidewalk.”
“That’s okay,” I assured him, “I don’t mind. They’ll blow back into the yard quickly enough, and if they don’t, I’ll sweep them.”
“Are you sure?” he asked. Yes, I told him.
I think he’s well-intentioned, but this may all prove to be too much of a change for the company.
I wasn’t very satisfied with the quality of the edging that my yard crew performed. So, I decided that I’d start doing the job myself and I went out and bought a mower 6 weeks ago. With that, I might be the only guy in HP that cuts his own yard. I am also convinced that I’m one of the few in HP that actually bags the debris from the blower. Bottom line is that blowers are a big timesaver.
Bold step, Chucky. I’m proud of you.
Thanks, anon. I feel like a real pioneer.
Charles, will you be permitted to be a Parkie with an imperfect sidewalk covered with mown grass?
Brave Dude, keep us posted on how it all evolves. Can’t they attach those bag thingies to the back of their mowers to catch the clippings? That use to be the norm before the blower was invented.
Well, Miles, I am concerned about my status, but I feel reckless today.
And Gadfly, I don’t know what used to be the norm, but I don’t remember ever seeing the leaf-blower people bag up the detritus. That’s what makes the practice so particularly galling: not only do they cause excessive noise and air pollution, they aren’t even effective.
I have had this idea of a “green” lawn service. No gas lawn care. Use a reel or electric mower, electric edger, and a broom. Do you think people would use it?
Way to go Charles. I couldn’t be more proud.
I had to look up the word “detritus”. That’s some fancy writing. I also don’t remember seeing grass clippings bagged. But I was afraid to mention it because I wasn’t sure. I don’t pay attention anymore since I fired my crew two years ago. And that was because of their stupid practice of clipping my hydrangeas down to the root ball every winter, when most hydrangeas bloom off the old wood. I had already warned them 3 times never to use sharp tools on any of my plants. The last straw was when I witnessed the guy whacking the hydrangeas with one hand and talking on his cell with the other. And then to make things worse, the crew’s boss talked DOWN to me saying “Honey, you don’t know what you’re talking about. We’ve been in this business longer than you’ve had a garden.” I said “I don’t care a rat’s titty what your opinion is. I’m the client, and I’ve warned you three times–NO SCISSORS IN MY GARDEN! By the way, you’re fired.”
Unstable, I think a “green” lawn service would be a big hit, in the PC and elsewhere. Let’s talk.
Gadfly, I love the story. And as for “detritus,” that’s just the kind of effluence one can expect when high-minded journalists are at work. ; )
Unstable, I also think it would be a super idea. When I hardscape and landscape my backyard next spring (a landscape architect designed a maser plan for me, but I need to design some master money before it can be implemented), I won’t be able to do the maintenance by myself and also have some sort of personal life. But the name “Unstable” gives me this idea that you might be prone to fall down and/or have unplanned accidents. That’s doesn’t bode well for anybody’s garden.
We do our own lawn maintenance (with help from a pro twice a year) and while it isn’t the best looking one in the neighborhood, it doesn’t stand out as the worst either. I just run the weedeater first, then let the mower pick up the grass in the bag from both mowing and what the weedeater/edger leaves behind, dump the clippings from the bag into the flowers where it becomes mulch. It takes less time, less equipment and is generally easier than blowing. I don’t have grass clippings on my sidewalk and don’t sweep either.
Charles may know the word “detritus,” which Wikipedia tells me includes dead organisms and fecal matter, because, as an attorney, he’s been called the word, however unjustly.
From what I have always heard, rotary mowers don’t work well with St. Augustine grass.
Also, leave the clippings on the lawn because they supply the grass with nutrients as they decompose. Sweep from the sidewalks and use as mulch or compost.
anon, I use a rotary with 7 blades and it works beautifully. With St. Augustine you need the 7 blade version and nothing less. Unfortunately our local hardware stores stock the pitiful dweeby 5 blade varieties, which are popular across the rest of our country. But for the tough, low-growing, creeping grass, the more blades the merrier. Go to http://www.reelmowermodels.com/ for more info.
Also, the heavier the better. My reel mower weighs 55 pounds. From all my research, I understand that anything less than 20 lbs will have a tendency to just skip and skim over the grass. Some major heft is needed.
Thanks, Gadfly, that’s good info.
Gadfly, thanks. Obviously, our local merchants have no clue.
I can’t find the 55 lb model for sale online; looks like it might be discontinued. The next best option (a 7-blade, 25 lb model) appears to be unavailable until 2009. Any other suggestions, Gadfly? I was beginning to get excited about mowing my lawn!
Jen, I bought my reel from Smith & Hawkin 4 years ago. I don’t believe they sell mowers anymore. The make and model were covered up with their logo, but mine is a dead ringer for the agrifab model. It only has 6 blades and weighs 55 lbs., which has worked well for me. Last year when I couldn’t find a shop to sharpen the blades, I started doing more research on the internet and learned that 7 blades might be better. But instead of buying it, I purchased a sharpening kit and I hope to get my handyman neighbor to help me hone it up. I’m frustrated with the conflicting internet information concerning 6 blades vs 7. So I’m going to make a few calls tomorrow, and I will let you know what they say. But in the mean time I have found a web site that sells the good heavy model. http://www.composters.com/gree.....r_70_5.php
Jen, I just read that Agri-fab stopped production on reel mowers a couple of years ago. AAARRGH! I’m going to call several of these web sites and take a poll of what they recommend for our St. Augustine grass. And find out at the same time why they are always discontinuing what they recommend. I really don’t have time to do this, but I’m totally pissed off and frustrated.