As a family, we decided to stop using a gas lawn mower on our lawn. Lawn equipment causes 5% of our nation’s air pollution, and we felt ashamed to see the black smoke come out of the exhaust every time we started it up. So, with our gas lawn mower parked in the garage for good, what was our alternative? We use an old-time, classic Scotts 20” push-powered reel mower. These reel mowers, we soon found out, are actually quite easy to push, if you adjust it right, and they actually make a cleaner cut than our gas lawn mower did.

Reel mowers cut the grass like a scissor would, instead of the gas mower that rips the grass. We have never used fertilizer or turf builder, and our grass has gotten healthier and greener as we have used a reel mower to cut our lawn. But what about the clippings? Instead of leaving clumps, the reel mowers, no matter how long the clippings are, spread them evenly over the cut grass, and you can hardly tell that the grass pieces are even there. They hold moisture for the live grass underneath to soak up, and just disappear after a few days. Talk about low maintenance!  The only downside is that the cutting blade is about 3” away from the edges of the mower. So you can’t really cut all the way to the edge of the lawn against, say, a house or a fence. But, hey, that’s what a weed whacker is for, right?

Garden worms are one of the greatest creatures available for your dirt and plants. Worms not only convert organic material into plant-absorb-able nutrients, they also help aerate the dirt, and keep it loose and rich. Even their “castings” are an excellent composting aid that helps keep pests and other diseases away from your favorite flowers and veggies. Worms even provide themselves as food for many small creatures and birds (maybe not willingly). Be sure to keep your garden well watered to encourage more worms into your garden. And, if you don’t think enough worms are in your garden, your local garden store should be just the place to get some more.

Pete Skenandore

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