As an adult, I am seriously wondering why we have a tool that trims weeds instead of gets rid of them. I would say it was a misnomer, however I watched half a dozen homemade videos that I found on the Web and they all mentioned trimming weeds. Is this just a lazy man’s weed treatment? I did a little digging and this is what I found.

Question: What was the original purpose of a weed eater?

Answer: George C. Ballas, Sr. invented the Weed Eater to get those hard to reach places that his mower would not–exactly how it is marketed now. He had a huge yard and got the inspiration from watching a car wash clean a car with nylon lines to act as scrubbers.

Question: Was George C. Ballas just a lazy guy with a big middle that didn’t want to bend down and pull weeds?

Answer: Quite the contrary! I found the most biographical information on his son’s dance Web site. Yes, dance! Turns out George C. Ballas, Sr. owned the largest dance studio in the world. The Dance City USA Studio has 43,000 square feet of dance floor and is still operating in Stafford, Texas. He also started more than 100 other companies. I tried to email him but the message failed. Darn! He sounds like an incredible person and eating weeds was just one of his many hobbies.

Especially popular in western states such as California, companies and individuals are hiring herds of goats, sheep, cattle, and horses to control overgrown weeds and keep lawns tidy. They help reduce fire hazards, and they also help property owners avoid using fossil fuels and herbicides.

I live in a highly suburban area where goat-as-mower will never catch on as a lawn mower alternative because homeowners want their lawns to look perfectly manicured. But that doesn’t mean the method won’t become widespread in other areas. My brother-in-law lives on a somewhat rural acreage south of the Silicon Valley, and has rented his neighbor’s goats to trim up several acres of native grasses and weeds that would otherwise grow waist-high.

About 30 miles up Highway 101 in Mountain View, California, Internet giant Google used a huge herd of goats to mow down a field of weeds and reduce the area’s fire hazard. Other groups implementing the practice, called targeted grazing, include state highway departments, vineyards, and homeowners’ associations.

While the cost for using a herd of animals tends to be similar to what you’d spend on mowing these large areas, and sometimes even more, the environmental impact is much less. Who’d choose a nasty, noisy lawn tractor over a…nasty, noisy herd of goats? (Please don’t tell my kids I said that.)

Regardless of cost savings, visiting with the goats is always fun. We’ve personally experienced goats eating sticks and leaves right from our hands–and subsequently trying to eat the sleeves of our jackets. But the kids love them anyway, and apparently they’re not alone.

You’ll spend at least $200 (and up, up, up) for most lawn mowers this year, so it’s worth doing some research and avoiding a completely impulsive decision based on how cool the mower looks. Here are four more features to keep in mind as you’re choosing a new lawn mower:

1. Bagging Placement: Whether your lawn mower’s bag is on the side or to the rear can have a big impact on how comfortable it is to push. A side-mounted bag will often tilt the mower–and you!–to one side, while a rear-mounted bag remains stable and consistently balanced.

2. Green Rating: If you’re buying a gas lawn mower, look for models that meet California’s strict new standards, and you’ll ensure the mower operates as green-friendly as the market allows. Specifically, check out lawn lowers with labels such as “50-state compliant,” “CARB-certified,” or “CA certified.”

3. Blade Brake Option: You’ve got to focus on safety while mowing, and current regulations mandate that a power mower’s blade stops immediately when the handle is released. Most lawn mowers meet this standard by cutting the engine completely. A blade brake option stops the blade, but conveniently keeps the engine running.

4. Future Repairs: Who wants to think about possible repairs while you’re still shopping? It’s not fun, but it’s smart. Inevitably, your gas or electric lawn mower could require a repair, so think carefully before purchasing a mower online. Shipping an electric mower back will cost a ton, and you won’t be able to ship a gas lawn mower at all after you’ve added gas. If you do shop online, make sure you can bring the mower to a local shop for any repairs.

Thinking through what you want–and don’t want–in a lawn mower will help you make a great investment. Do your research, and your lawn and your bank account will thank you for it!

If you’ve got a lawn, you need a lawn mower. The technology and features available on today’s mowers have jumped ahead in amazing ways since even a couple of years ago. You won’t need all the bells and whistles to have a beautiful lawn, but here are four features you should consider carefully before choosing a lawn mower:

1. Cutting Height: Look for a maximum cutting height over 2 inches, especially if you live in a hot climate where closely cut grass can actually damage your lawn. Most electric and gas mowers will not be a problem; check reel mowers carefully for this feature.

2. Variable Speeds: If you’re looking at a self-propelled mower, make sure you can change the speed on that model. Some areas of your lawn may require a more delicate touch, and lower speeds will help.

3. Safety: Robotic mowers (can you believe they’re selling robotic mowers?) have the best safety record, followed closely by reel mowers. Gas mowers will require ear plugs or ear muffs, and attention to fire prevention. You’ll need to plug electric mowers in to a GFI (ground fault interrupter) outlet to avoid problems with mixing electricity and water.

4. Health Issues: To avoid allergies and air pollution, a manual reel mower will be your best option. These lawn mowers have no negative impact to the environment and provide exercise. Electric and battery lawn mowers fall in the mid-range for pollution. Gas mowers cause a significant amount of noise and air pollution, which are both considered hazards to your health.

Look for more essential lawn mower features to consider…coming next time!

photo credit: www.vellosork.wordpress.com

Lawn Care as Motivational Agent
Why do people use copious amounts of toxic chemicals in lawn and garden in spite of knowing the potential damage these products can do to wildlife, pets, and humans? What motivates suburban homeowners to “one-up” their neighbors with the latest in pattern lawn mowing? Why do some folks find lawn care inspiring, while others don’t bother with it at all? Robbins attempts to answer these questions in his book using a wide variety of research and survey data, interviews and photographs, and seeks the reasons fueling many Americans’ obsessive quest a flawless lawn. This blogger hasn’t read Robbins’ chronicle of lawn care and why we do (or don’t) do it, but it does bring some intriguing questions to mind. Perhaps most compelling for anyone dedicating most of their leisure time to lawn care is Robbins’ query, “How did the needs of the grass come to be my own?”

Lawn Care for Peace, Ecology, and…Enjoyment
Here are some ideas about why people retreat to their own emerald patches of serenity. Escaping from the computer screen, office politics, and an unending paper trail motivates many, but in a culture where productivity can’t always be measured in a simple way, looking at a freshly mown expanse of green lawn can bring deep satisfaction.

Another motivation for spending time tending our lawn and garden spaces involves the need for getting back to nature. Condo dwellers and suburban lawn warriors alike enjoy visiting wild places; these days, venturing into your backyard provides an economically feasible way of enjoying nature.

Whether it’s a soothing water feature or the zen of an uncluttered lawn that helps you de-stress, get out there and enjoy your lawn.

photo credit: www.s.ngm.com

Free food: Well, at least for your lawn. Mulching mowers chop and redistribute grass clippings in a way that prevents clumping and facilitates fast absorption into your lawn. This provides a quick burst of nutrients for your lawn.

Eliminate “bagging and dragging”: Streamline your lawn care routine with a mulching mower. You can mow and feed your lawn simultaneously and won’t have to bag clippings and drag the bags to the curb on trash collection day.
Reduce waste: Recycling your lawn clippings saves time and the environment; there’s less waste for the land fills, and free food for your lawn–you can’t beat that!

Choosing Your Mulching Lawn Mower

You can select from gas powered, electric, and reel mulching mowers. Check out several models of each type, and buy one that meets your needs:

Lawn size: Reel mowers and corded electric models work well for smaller lawns, but cordless electric and gas powered models are better suited to larger lawns.

Price range: Mulching lawn mowers range from simple to more complex and powerful “bells and whistles” models. Don’t buy more or less mower than you need; a good lawn mower can last for many years if it’s suited to the job and well cared for.

Using Your Lawn Mower as a Mulching Mower
There’s no need to replace a good lawn mower with a mulching mower. If you have a rear-dicharge mower, simply remove the bag and cover the discharge chute. Many models have an automatic cover. Lawn clipping are held under the deck and can be redistributed on the lawn. Your side-discharge mower can function as a mulching mower; just mow in a pattern that distributes the clippings evenly across your lawn. Keeping your lawn mower blades sharp promotes the best mowing and mulching results.

• Irrigation system: Automatic sprinklers and drip systems can be set to take care of watering your lawn and landscaping on schedule. Automatic watering helps prevent uneven watering or forgetting to water.  If you’re planning to install an irrigation system, get several estimates and check references.
•  Lawn Mower: You can buy a reel mower, or a lawn tractor for mowing large expanses of turf grass. Most folks choose a lawn mower somewhere between the two extremes; lawn mowers come in gas or electric powered models with features suited to every type of job. Shop  prices online and visit retailers for finding a mower that is comfortable to use  and has all the features you want.
• Weed control: You can buy “weed whacking” machines that cut weeds down with a rapidly rotating cord. In order to control weeds, you’ll likely need both pre-emergent and post emergent herbicides. You can choose from a variety of environmentally safe herbicides for lawn, garden and combined applications. Check with a local nursery or your state university extension service for suggestions on effective weed control in your area.
• Lawn and garden hand tools: Shovels, hoes,  rakes, hoses (if you find one that doesn’t kink, please let us know!) nozzles, sprinkler attachments (in case your automatic system fails) hand tools including trowels, rakes and clippers are a few things you’ll need.
• For you: Working outdoors can be relaxing until you get sunburned, bug bitten, or stabbed by one too many rose thorns. Use a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and have water handy. Insect repellent keeps bugs away. A pair of durable gardening gloves protects your hands and wrists.  A comfortable garden stool makes gardening more comfortable.

You’ll think of more tools, gadgets, and supplies each time you ‘re gardening or doing  lawn care!

Chemical Weed Control: Don’t Improvise

Weed control products are divided into pre-emergent and post-emergent. Once weeds have sprouted, you’ll need to use a post-emergent product.

When using weed control agents, also called broad leaf herbicides, it’s important to follow label instructions. Don’t improvise, as you can risk killing desirable plants and creating safety hazards for people, pets, and wildlife.

Apply weed control chemicals when the weather is calm and dry. Wind can spread weed control agent to desirable plants, or other locations including you. Weed control agents need a couple of days to soak into weeds; apply them when no rain or irrigation will occur for at least 48 hours. Remember to adjust sprinklers if necessary.

Effective weed control can help you avoid this!

An Ounce of Weed Control Prevention is Worth a Ton of Weeds

Once you’ve removed weeds, make a weed prevention plan. Pre-emergent herbicides can be applied in the spring after the last freeze and before weeds begin to sprout.  Some lawn care experts recommend applying pre-emergents on March 15 and again around September 15, but you may need to adjust these dates according to your climate.

Biodiversity: Desirable for a Healthy Lawn

Lawn care product companies promote images of uniformly green expanses of lawn, but in nature’s plan, nothing is uniform. Some weeds can be beneficial to your lawn and yard; leaving some white clover in your lawn can attract honeybees and draw rabbits away from your vegetable garden. No matter how you approach weed control, your lawn will always host some weeds. Striking a balance between enjoying your lawn and controlling weeds is healthy  for you and your lawn.