The Deere Z425 is my only choice by far. I like the Z425 because it's as close to a commercial model as there is for the money. By that I mean it has separate hydro pumps and wheel motors as opposed to integrated (all in one) lawn tractor style hydros found on cheaper models. Zero turn mowers only tear up a yard if you drive them too aggressively. They have greater steering capability but that doesn't mean you spin around every time you turn. If you do it will tear up the grass. A gentle turn is easy to do. The real advantage to a ZTR is it's ease of driving and it cuts mowing time in half. The lower model Deere ZTRs have residential hydros and fewer good features. Stick with the Z425. I'm fairly sure a regular bagger is available for the Z425 as well as the powered version. A powered bagger is only needed if you want to vacuum a lot of leaves in the fall.

Our property is on a small artificial lake so mosquitos were at some point a concern that prompted us to research this issue, but it looks like they are managed quite well by the fish in the lake so it has never become such a high priority - being swamped with many other things to do - to act on this. With the qualification that we never tested the selected solution, the Flowtron electronic zapper technology has many favorable reviews on Amazon and it appears to have significant benefits. It uses two types of attractants: UV light (in 3 different bulb sizes 15-40-80 W for a coverage of 0.5-1.0-1.5 acre, respectively) and a chemical bait, although many users state that the chemical bait is not necessary to obtain satisfactory results. The insects are killed by high voltage localized to the outside grid on the lantern-like device. There are no chemical toxicity issues and daytime pollinators are not affected since its operation is restricted to night time. It's operating costs are low, especially if no chemical bait is used - where they would be limited to the cost of electricity to power the UV light. Has anyone here used it?

Well Izzy, I live in SE Wis., so different climate altogether. However, many prairie plants do well all over the US. I love my staggered row of Prairie Smoke, also known as plumed avens. Its low, has lovely foliage, and stays green, tolerates poor soil and drought. Also love cone flower, both pink and yellow, and filipendula, 'Queen of the prairie. Of course, Liatris and asters are winners too. In many cities and townships, one has to get permission to have a yard that is 'wild'. New meadow gardens look pretty scruffy for at least 2/3 years. I like to see grass or stone pathways thru any garden, with sitting spots and some highlights. Small trees, like Serviceberry, that feeds birds are natural additives, along with smaller blue colored evergreens and burgundy colored shrubs and plants. The magazine Fine Gardening, has done an article or two about this subject. Check at your local library. Best of luck, and thanks for going the natural route. Pondy

Zoning and the Township Solicitor (attorney) are the ones to pursue this situation not you with a private attorney. The landscaper as the business owner is responsible for compliance including but not limited to Land Use (residential, commercial) compliance. We had the same thing happen to us. Landscaper moved in next door seven years ago. He immediately erected a 10'W 24'L 14.5' H shed with an overhead garage door next to his house abutting our property. He turned it into a small engine repair shop and stored his equipment there out of season as well as all over his lawn during the season. Trucks, trailers, employees in and out all the time, shaping shrubbery, dumping containers, brush, debris, snow plow, etc in the rear yard. Had large tree trunks delivered in a two-story dump truck and slices of tree trunks delivered by a tree service where he would cut them up with a chain saw and log splitter then created a fence 25' long and seven feet high in front of our living room window and threw wood all over our property. The neighbors on the other side complained and when their home was unfortunately foreclosed, landscaper went all out with full-blown operation of the business. Because the "shed" required a variance and could not be located within 20' of another structure, we were able to appear before the Zoning Board with our attorney and present our evidence of commercial activities which put a stop to it. We had to hire an attorney because the snake neighbor scheduled the variance hearing during our January vacation. I would band together with other neighbors and document the landscaper's activities then approach the Zoning Officer again. You can all also simply show up at the Zoning Board meeting and state your concerns and case during the public comment period at the end of each meeting. There is usually a time limit of five minutes per person. Best wishes and keep us updated.