Lawnmower Man
I may be one of the few people in Chico to own (and use!) a human-powered lawnmower, more commonly called a “push lawnmower” or a “reel lawnmower.” Let me just state that I am not a big fan of lawns in the first place (I will explain why in a later post). I have two (a front and a back), and am looking to downsize to one in the upcoming months. But I say, if you are going to mow, do it old school. Just like the classic-looking Schwinn bikes, I think reel lawnmowers need to make a comeback.
I scored mine for free from a neighbor. Here’s what I like about it: It is small and stores easily, it does the job (it takes me about 20 minutes to trim 2000 square feet of lawn), it's easy to fix and maintain, I don't need earplugs or a face mask when I use it, and best of all it runs on good old-fashioned calories, which I burn a-plenty during my once-a-week, gym-free, mowing workout. I leave the trimmings on the lawn, known as "grass-cycling," which allows the clippings to quickly decompose and returns the nutrients to the soil naturally.
Yes, I am sure a gas-powered mower could do the job a bit faster, but for me they are a notch below leaf-blowers in the “things I hate” category. In addition to air pollution, noise pollution, and all of the issues associated with using fossil fuel, I find that gas-powered lawnmowers stink, leak, break, can be hard to start, expensive to buy, difficult to fix, and a pain to maintain. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, the typical gas-powered lawnmower running for one hour emits the same amount of pollutants as 8 new cars driving at 55 mph for the same amount of time. The EPA estimates that traditional gas-powered lawnmowers are responsible for 5% of the nation's air pollution. The reason? Unlike a car, lawnmowers lack the benefits of a catalytic converter and other emission-reducing devices.
If you can’t borrow one from a neighbor, I have seen them new at Colliers for less than $200, though I would wager you could find one at one of Chico’s fine second-hand stores for less than half that.
Comments
Hi, Jeremy:
We also have two lawns, one small one in the front and a larger one in the back, and like you, we've used a push mower on it since we bought the house.
Likewise I'd prefer to alter one of the lawns - probably the front one - to some version of xeriscape but I haven't gotten to that point yet. Interestingly I saw a recent article in the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat in which it was noted that the city is paying homeowners there who convert lawns to some other form of less water-intensive landscape.
But in the meantime I like using the push mower on our lawns for all of the reasons you set forth.
I enjoy your blog, by the way. Keep it up!
-- Greg Fischer
Posted by: Greg Fischer | August 1, 2007 08:13 AM
The worst sound in the world on a Saturday morning - when you may have stayed out too late enjoying the beginning of the weekend and planned on sleeping in - is the sound of a lawn mower. It has tempted me to throw things at my neighbors many a morning!
Great blog, and a late welcome to the blogging community! I look forward to reading more!
Posted by: meagan dixon | August 2, 2007 09:00 AM
I have a push mower in my garage which I can't use. It's rusty, but could probably be cleaned up - for free in anyone wants it.
Posted by: Maureen Dion | August 6, 2007 07:59 PM
I jusy plain need a lawn mower. I have a small front and a large backyard and they are both very long :( . I am a single mom of three teenage boys and on a fixed income, If there is anyone out there that has one that works and does not need it I would love it. I can say I have never used an old school lawn mower. Hope to hear from someone out there in Chico :)
Posted by: melanie | August 31, 2007 12:01 PM