Like many others I've gone as far as you with a push mower. It's futile, even the very best simply isn't built for such rigors. To be honest, on a wet day the deck might need cleaned every half-hour just to maintain a rough cut. That amounts to time, grime, filth, and stench. Plus the mess on a tarp or whatver/wherever you use to clean over. I'd consider a really nice garden tractor, semi-commercial zero turn, or even a commercial walk-behind. The latter of the three is most versatile regarding slopes and grades but without experience you can still get into trouble. A garden tractor that can take ground-engaging equipment would depend on other intended uses but you might like the option of a tiller or snow plow? ZTR's are difficult to shop these days with so many options. Many are not very rugged although they easily clone those that are. One I've seen sold as a "homeowner" unit for 3K is the 48" Z-Beast at HDepot. A friend bought one on my recommendation for his 4 acres+ (I've done commercial mowing since the 80's). It's not as beefy as it's "commercial" counterparts but for the price I'm overwhelmingly impressed. I honestly am on the verge of replacing a 52" commercial walk-behind having sampled his several times. It's stout and nothing we compared in the price range is close. But again, like a tractor, slopes and ditches aren't as easy. You'll always need a good trim mower and string trimmer. You can always mount a string trimmer to a rider to hit problem areas while you're there. Same holds true for a large walk-behind but not as easily or comfortably. You won't do well trying that with a push sized mower. Whatever you choose, even the primo commercial Honda "push" and it's commercial counterparts aren't built for what you're doing. It's overkill. You'll be far more satisfied with machinery that matches your useage. Better job, less fatigue, free time left over. Best of luck, I'm sure you'll find something more suitable. As someone previously stated, try to consider it an investment. Shiny new junk turns into rusty old junk fast, harsh conditions expedite the process. Pick something worth keeping and post a picture of the lawn, beast of burden, and happy smile.

Unfortunately, this forum is one of the slowest/least active forums I visit on GW - which I find sad because I had really high hopes for a very active, involved forum when it first started. That's probably why you haven't gotten any answers. Anyway, in my neck of the woods, there don't seem to be too many of these organized efforts to volunteer for. We have a yearly clean-up of areas in my town every April, usually involving groups such as scouts or corporations which have put together a team. And we have a local adopt-a-garden program, where people and/or groups can volunteer to beautify corners or curbsides, etc. - just little touches here and there around the town. But other than that, there's not much going on. So now, lol, I'm sure you're going to ask why I don't get involved in organizing such things. Time. (I work 4 jobs in summer!) But I have been organizing enviromentally-oriented programs/talks at my local library, so I try to do my part in spreading the word. And yes, I think if an environmentally worthwhile volunteer opportunity came up, I do think I would volunteer, time and schedule permitting. :) Dee

We have bathtubs with showers in both of our bathrooms, and we both mostly take baths instead of showers. We also have a hot tub outdoors, although I would rather have a swimming pool. A shower alone would not do it for me, and I am fine taking showers in the bathtub, when I want a shower. When I lived in San Francisco in my 20s, I remember having bathtubs with showers, but the bathrooms were always somewhat cold, and so I mostly took showers so that I could get out quickly. One of the main reasons I left SF was the cold weather.

Kara, holy cow!!! What a beautiful plant! I can't blame you for favoring this one. I wish I had one in my front yard. You must admire it every time you walk by. It is simply amazing...Thanks for taking that pic for us... Nancy, not sure which one I would keep either!! Lol. So many favorites but if forced, we would all have to pic one( Stupidlazydog...You crack me up lol I would have a hard time especially if I had the room to grow more like you to..You have some gems there and I love seeing you post them. Thanks Gabby, quite interesting..Does it grow slowly? What a great color on that. I am almost in love with anything that grows black leaves, like the 'black prince'. What a nice dark color on that one. Josue, wow, what a huge Aloe..I'll bet you could squeeze juice out of those leaves..Very big. Maria, did I ever tell you how badly I want one? Yup. I keep admiring your plant there. You must look at it every day and treasure that one. Love that one. Mike