Alternative to traditional lawn, but retaining the same qualities?
anchita
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
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laceyvail 6A, WV
5 years agoLalala (zone 6b)
5 years agoRelated Discussions
reliability, endurability, and quality of snapper lawn mowers
Comments (8)Funny you guys should mention the "Z" closure bag. The Snapper I picked off the curb had that particular bag with it. Since I don't bag my clippings but dump them on a compost pile behind the shed in my back yard the large dump door style works better for me. My large dump door bag comes off easily enough for me and the biggest concern is to have the mower engine shut off to avoid a face full of grass from the chute. I use a modified "sling shot" casting system of dumping the bag similar to casting a lure under low hanging branches. I hold the dump door closed with the left hand and with my right hand holding the handle on the chute gate part of the bag I start swinging the bag to the right over the compost pile and at the correct moment let go of the dump door handles. The inertia of the swinging bag causes the mass of grass in the bag to come flying out of the bag onto the mulch pile. While I like the fact that the "Z" closure bag holds more, it just isn't as easy to empty in my application. Oh well, to each their own and since I have both bag styles and they both fit either machine, I can always switch if I decide to bag or need the more accurate method of dumping that the "Z" closure bag affords. Fairyprincess...See MoreNewer Lawn Tractors vs Old Lawn Tractors
Comments (39)reply by theodocus struck me as coming from the desk of the ad agency of MTD. No mention of the actual operation that involves rolling over uneven terrain and jarring action from bumps and uneven spots and the fragile fabricated axles that bend and crack easily. Oh, there is also the bushings used in place of ball bearings: bushing use requires higher horsepower to move the newer units. The Deere has points and condenser; cost $5.00 and 9.00 respectively and the sears is a solid state igntion. Newer technology is wonderful as long as it is coupled with quality assemblage in a product. I have a 1968 Sears GARDEN tractor with a 12HP Tecumseh Heavy duty cast iron engine with ball bearings and cut with a 42 inch deck and also have a 1976 John Deere GARDEN tractor with a cast iron 10 HP engine with ball bearings and cut with a 42" deck and use both alternately for mowing two acres and for tilling and moving earth, etc.. Each has cast iron axles and mutli-speed hi-lo transmissions and EACH is used for plowing, snowblowing, tilling earth, hauling 1100 lb loads in attached large carts. EACH will run circles around the new 20 plus HP light LAWN tractors made today. Spend 5,000.00 and you will have a comparable heavy duty GARDEN tractor. By the way, good luck on getting even 10 years of use with the new wonders....See MoreShampoo perennial bed same as lawn?
Comments (6)A 20 oz bottle of the baby shampoo is about $1. It will cover about 5,000 sqft for one application. Applying it with a hose end sprayer takes little time or effort. Any soil can develop dry spots where water is not absorbed. Improving wetting capability and penetration is good for any soil and the shampoo will not harm anything. Adding the milk and molasses in a seperate spraying effort is also pretty darned cheap. I have not found a good explanation as to why the milk makes improvements. However, I am pretty well convinced that it improved my lawn. There is something in it that the microbes like. A quart of milk will cover 5,000 sq ft. Pretty cheap to try and make your own observations. It does not need more than two applications per year, spring and fall. Putting a Tbsp or two of molasses per 1,000 sq ft in that app could encourage microbe multiplication. Don't over apply the molasses though as you will a population boom and bust. Since these are all relatively inexpensive and annot harm anything, why not give them a try and make your own observations....See MoreNeed suggestions for landscaping slope above retaining wall
Comments (20)Typically, back yard neighbor's who are outside using their back yards do not want to see other neighbors who are also outside using theirs, or be seen by them. Serviceberry would make good backdrop trees, whereas the existing trees in the lawn will be shade trees and, presumably, limbed up, not being good for privacy. BTW, it is common that plantings for screening exist near property lines and that the foliage of these planting grow into the adjacent yards. That's a fact of life because everyone does not live on a 5-acre estate, but most everyone wants some degree of privacy from their neighbors. Privacy screens installed by one neighbor usually, simultaneously benefit the adjacent neighbor, which is why people do not mind this condition much, or at all, so long as the plants are not obnoxious or invasive....See Moreanchita
5 years agoanchita
5 years agoSara Malone Zone 9b
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5 years agolgteacher
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5 years agoJeanne S
5 years agogardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
5 years agoJXBrown (Sunset 24, N San Diego County)
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoSara Malone Zone 9b
5 years agobeckysharp Reinstate SW Unconditionally
5 years agoanchita thanked beckysharp Reinstate SW Unconditionallyanchita
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoColwynn Garden Design
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5 years agoAstrid C
5 years agojuliacali
4 years agoecholane
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agodchall_san_antonio
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gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)