So you want to keep your lawn looking good, but at the same time want to not pollute the environment with a bunch of smokey, loud gas-powered equipment? Here are a few tips to consider:
Mowing – This is definitely the hardest part to do without gas, but you do have a few options. For very small patches of grass, you might consider grass shears… basically a big pair of scissors. This is really only viable as a touch-up, for extremely small areas, slow growing grass, and the incredibly patient. Your next step up is a manual rotary mower. This is just like the “old fashioned” push mowers from the 1950′s. They work great, they are good for your grass, and you get a cardiovascular workout at the same time. For bigger acreage, consider an electric lawnmower, either plug in or battery powered. For large acreage, consider using animal control. Either adopt a pet sheep/goat, or find an “animal mowing service”, where sheep or goats are let loose on your property to give it a good mowing on a regular basis.
Edging – A manual edger, which is nothing more than a blade on the end of a handle, can actually make a nice edge if you have the patience to give it a try. There are several electric edger options, either plug-in or battery powered. I have had great luck with battery powered units that run on a motorcycle-battery. They are quiet, easy to start, and work surprising well. Expect 15-30 minutes on a charge… if your yard is bigger than that, consider other options.
Blowing – Use a broom, of course! Also consider using grass clippings as mulch, which will help your lawn and is good for the environment.
Maintaining a lawn can be some work, but with some clever choices and a bit more work, you can ditch the smelly and noisy gas-powered equipment in favor of a greener alternative.
Jeff maintains his own lawn with no gas powered equipment. When he is not working on the lawn, he is cooking steak on his infrared grill.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeff_Becker
Author: Jeff Becker
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