Top Lawn Mower

A lawn’s size is the major criterion in choosing a mower. Don’t pay for more mower than you need, but make sure you get one that can handle the job. Lawns are best kept at a height of 3 to 4 inches to deter weeds, hold in moisture and encourage deep, healthy root systems. Clippings are best mulched — chopped into fine pieces that fall back on the grass and quickly decompose, nourishing the lawn. Regular sharpening makes mowing easier and is better for the grass. Here are five types of lawn mowers to consider.

1. Reel mower: The old-fashioned people-powered lawn mower is making a big comeback because of its simplicity, quietness, modest cost and zero pollution. "You’ll definitely get more exercise," says Todd Dressel of Dressel’s Hardware in Oak Park. "But we can all use that." For a modest lawn — 1,000 square feet or so — it should be sufficient. The reel mower works like scissors, with blades that slice grass cleanly. It can’t handle overgrown grass, so you need to keep up with the mowing. But it never needs oil, gas, spark plugs or winterizing. Expect to spend $75 to $200; more expensive models may be easier to push. 

2. Corded electric: For a small lawn, a corded electric power mower is quieter and easier than gas. There are models with a reel action but most, like gas mowers, have a single rotary blade that whips around, tearing off the top of the grass leaves. Though generating the electricity does create some air pollution, it’s far less per mowing than even the newest gas engine. The problem is the cord. Extension cords max out at 100 feet, so you need an outlet within reach. And Marshall suggests budgeting for a new extension cord each year, because it’s so easy to mow over it. Expect to spend $200 to $350.

3. Cordless electric: Lose the cord with a rechargeable mower and cut a lawn up to 2,500 or even 3,000 square feet quietly and with no fumes and little fuss. With improving technology, there’s plenty of horsepower now, Dressel says, and batteries hold enough juice for an hour or so of mowing at a modest electricity cost. For a bigger lawn, consider a model with a removable battery — and get an extra so you can swap in a fresh one when needed. Some models have an edger attachment. Expect to spend $350 to $500. What about robotic mowers? They are fussy to set up and work only on contiguous lawns. And at $1,500 to $3,000, they still are a novelty item.

4. Gas: The engine of an older gas mower can produce 11 times the quantity of emissions per hour than a car, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. If you need a gas mower for a large lawn, consider a new one; regulations are now more strict and recent models pollute less. Gas mowers require gas, oil, tune-up  and winterizing. Resist buying more horsepower than you actually need. Look for an electric starter. Marshall suggests a mulching mower with the option of side-discharging or bagging at edges where clippings might land on beds. A self-propelled mower is easier to push; these machines are heavy. You’ll pay $200 to $600.

5. Riding gas: A riding mower may be necessary for lawns of half an acre or more or for people without the strength to push a mower. But the bigger engine pollutes more and uses more gas. Look for "zero turn" mowers, which are easier to maneuver, Marshall says. Expect to pay $1,500 to $5,000.

The goal of natural turf maintenance is to develop and maintain healthy lawn ecosystems. Different organisms occupy varying ecological niches. By keeping most of the niches “filled” with desired organisms, the delicate balance of nature favors a healthy lawn. Disruption of this balance can lead to lawn problems. One type of disruption is the creation of “empty” niches.

For example, bare soil is an “empty niche” that invites weeds to enter the lawn. Another example is that of beneficial fungi in the soil. Over 400 species of fungi are known to live in the soil and thatch of lawn. Of these, less then 25% are potentially harmful (Daar; 1992).

That means that over 75% of these fungi are occupying a niche that could otherwise by filled by bad fungi. That’s why even one application of lawn pesticides can be harmful to the lawn because it indiscriminately kills fungi, throwing off the natural fungal balance leaving the lawn wide open for attack.

For example, an herbicide is used to kill weeds, lowering the fungi population and creating empty niches. Something as simple as an unusually wet period combined with pest fungi that were previously kept under control by beneficial fungi now have their opportunity to attack the lawn. This can cause significant visual lawn damage. So to control the fungus, a fungicide is applied to the lawn. The additional pesticides make the lawn even more susceptible to problems creating a cycle where the lawn becomes more and more dependent or “addicted” to chemicals for control and prevention of pests and disease. This is what is often called the
chemical treadmill.
Fortunately, due to nature’s incredible ability for regeneration, even the most problem stricken, chemically dependent lawn can recover. The most important thing that you can do for your lawn is to increase the organic matter content of the soil. Organic matter improves drainage, water holding capacity, nutrient holding capacity, encourages earthworms, counters soil compaction and provides food for microorganisms that feed the grass. This is the foundation of a healthy lawn ecosystem. Organic matter can be added as lawn clippings, compost, decomposed manures, and some fertilizers that are high in organic matter. Here are 10 Tips for a healthy lawn:

1. Mow high. Set lawn mower to 2-3” high. Helps prevent weeds, drought, and grubs.
2. Mow with sharp mower blades. Sharpen the blades at least once per year. Shredded grass blades are more susceptible to disease.
3. Mow when dry. Ideally, mow when the soil is dry on the surface. Mowing wet soil can spread disease and using heavy equipment on wet soil compacts the soil causing poor drainage and other problems.
4. Leave clippings on lawn. They will break down to provide natural fertilizer and organic matter to the lawn.
5. Water deeply and occasionally. Instead of shallow and often. During droughts, for most lawns (depends on soil type and irrigation type) water 1x–2x per week for 45-60 minutes. This prevents damage to lawn from lack of water, discourages disease by allowing soil surface to dry, and encourages deep root growth.
6. Fertilize. Apply compost or an organic-based fertilizer 1-2 times per year. This provides essential nutrients and organic matter.
7. Monitor lawn. Keep an eye out for problems so they can be dealt with before getting out of control. Look for unusually colored patches, mole runs, thin grass, bare soil, and dug up areas. Along with these, a lawn monitoring program includes checking the soil for grub populations and soil compaction.
8. Weed control. Hand remove weeds. Try the “water weeder” sold by Lee Valley Tools for dandelions and other tap rooted weeds.
9. Grub control. White grub infestations can be treated with beneficial nematodes. It is best to apply them in the fall. Nematodes have a short shelf life and die in dry soil so follow instructions precisely and only order if planning to apply them soon.
10. Got a headache? If all of this sounds like a headache, consider reducing your lawn and replacing it with low maintenance native prairie or woodland plants, sedges, moss, or edible plants. The possibilities are endless!

TopLawnmower in support for natural mower.

Discount program allows residents to exchange their gas-powered lawn mowers for electric, cordless ones.

For the sixth consecutive year, the South Coast Air Quality Management District is offering residents the opportunity to cut down on pollution while they cut their grass.
The annual “Mow Down Air Pollution” program allows residents the chance to trade in their gasoline-powered lawn mower for a new cordless electric mower for $100.

“It’s a way for consumers to help fight the war on smog,” spokesman Sam Atwood said. “It reduces upwards of 20 tons of smog-forming pollutants each year.”
The push toward improving Burbank’s air took on an added urgency in January after a report showed Burbank’s air quality is one of the worst in Southern California.
The study found that high levels of toxicity in Burbank from diesel engines, most likely from trucks rumbling through Burbank on the Golden State (5) Freeway are the culprit, but pollution from Bob Hope Airport also plays a role, officials said.
The new mowers, provided by Neuton, one of the top sellers of battery-powered mowers in the United States, produces half the noise of a gas mower and can operate for up to one hour on a 12-hour charge. Its power is about equal to a 3.5-horsepower gas mower and has a 14-inch blade width, Atwood said.
The electric mowers, which are usually sold for about $400, are offered to residents for $100 and help reduce volatile organic compounds from being released into the atmosphere. Such compounds are one of the worst pollutants found in Southern California and a toxin that is especially present in the summer, he said.
The discount is paid for by the air quality district’s investment program, where large companies around Southern California are asked to “do something to reduce employee emissions,” Atwood said.
“They are asked to ride-share, scrap vehicles or pay a fee,” he said. “We receive several million dollars a year from companies, including studios around Burbank. We’re reducing emissions for those companies.”
While the program has reduced 116 tons of volatile toxins since the program’s inception six years ago — and been responsible for scrapping nearly 24,000 gasoline mowers — it is difficult to quantify its effect on air quality, Atwood said.
“It’s impossible from year to year to say that one particular program has caused an improvement in air quality,” he said.
While city officials hailed the program, there are no plans to switch its fleet from gasoline mowers to electric cutters.
“Our scope is so much bigger than small residential lawns,” Public Works Director Bonnie Teaford said “We try to get the best available technology on all out fleets.”There are nearly 25 parks in Burbank, covering 360 acres, according to the Park, Recreation and Community Services Department.
The air quality district will conduct seven exchange events across Southern California on seven Saturdays between April 5 and May 31. Residents are asked to pre-register on the organization’s website or call their office to verify their residence and register for a location.
Participants must bring a working gasoline lawn mower and $100, Atwood said.

Spring is my favorite time of year. With the warmer days we have been experiencing, our landscape plants and lawns have begun to awaken from their winter slumber. Fresh, new leaves on the trees and beautiful flowers adorn the landscapes around town.
The only plant that makes me cringe when it wakes from winter sleep is the lawn, because that means that I also will have to wake up my lawn mower from its winter slumber. However, this springtime awakening of the lawn and lawn mower indicates it is time to fertilize the lawn and provide it with the nutrients it needs to continue to grow and be healthy all season.
Regular fertilization is essential for growing a healthy, beautiful lawn. It is especially important in Florida because of the infertile, sandy soils. A majority of Florida soils cannot hold nutrients as well as the rich, organic soils found in other areas of the country. Not only is fertilization used to maintain good-quality lawns; it can also be used to improve poor-quality lawns. Of course, efficient mowing, watering and pest control must be combined with proper fertilization to produce a healthy lawn.
A lawn-fertilization schedule is easy to plan. Only three questions need to be answered: Which essential nutrients need to be supplied? What type of fertilizer should be used? How much fertilizer should be applied and how often? Fortunately for us, the University of Florida’s IFAS researchers have already determined an effective, efficient fertilization schedule.
In early spring, a complete fertilizer should be applied to the lawn. A complete fertilizer is one that has a formula made up of the three essential nutrients: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). The three numbers on the fertilizer bag represent the percentages of these nutrients in the bag.
The fertilizer should be applied in multiple (two to five) applications yearly, depending on what variety of turf grass you have and how much maintenance you desire.
With each fertilizer application, a half to a pound of nitrogen should be applied. It is highly recommended that at least 30 percent of the nitrogen come from a slow-release source. To find out how much of the common fertilizer types this relates to, go to http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/EP221.

Higher fertilization rates are unnecessary and will produce a faster buildup of thatch than lower rates. Always irrigate fertilizer with a quarter-inch of water — this will move the fertilizer from the leaf blade to the root, where it will be taken up.
Do not fertilize if rain is forecast in the next 24 hours. A slow release of nitrogen should be applied again at the same rate in May and July, with another complete fertilizer application in October.
If the lawn starts to turn yellow between fertilizer applications, it is most likely a sign that it needs iron. For iron deficiency, spray ferrous sulfate (2 ounces in 3 to 5 gallons of water per 1,000 square feet) or a chelated iron source (refer to the label for rates). Iron applications every six weeks will help maintain green color and, unlike nitrogen, will not promote excessive growth, decreasing the frequency the lawn needs to be mowed.
By following these fertilization schedules, you can produce a lush, green, healthy lawn.
Research has shown that these schedules are effective. Some individuals insist on fertilizing more than recommended. Over fertilization can be detrimental to lawns. Over fertilization causes lawns to push out new growth almost continuously.
Continuous growth creates green lawns, but it also creates weak growth highly susceptible to insects and diseases. For example, chinch bugs love new growth in St. Augustine lawns.
Over fertilized lawns also need to be mowed and watered more frequently, and excess fertilizer not consumed by the lawns is washed into our waterways, causing pollution.
For more information, contact the Osceola County Master Gardeners. They are available to take your calls Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call with your plant questions.

MILWAUKEE, March 27 /PRNewswire/ — Ahhh spring time! Your lawn growing lush and healthy. Flowers bursting into bloom in weed-free beds. And, of course, a lawn mower that starts on the first pull. Sound like your yard?

If not, get some help from the free Yard Smarts Hotline sponsored by Briggs & Stratton Corporation from April 15 through May 15. Yard care and equipment experts will answer your toughest questions, help you solve problems and provide advice so you can have the yard you really want this year.

Consumers can call the toll-free Hotline number, 1-866-YARD-TIPS or ask their questions via e-mail by visitinghttp://www.yardsmarts.com. All questions will be answered personally within 48hours. Every Friday the Hotline is operating (April 18 and 25, and May 2and 9), homeowners may speak directly with lawn, garden and equipment experts from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. CDT.

In addition to getting free answers and advice, Hotline participants can also win prizes. Any caller whose question is selected as a “questionof the week” and placed on the Yard Smarts Web site can contact Briggs &Stratton to win their choice of a new Snapper lawn mower, Snapper pressure washer or Sarlo string trimmer powered by a Briggs & Stratton engine.Anyone who stumps the experts will receive a Yard Smarts T-shirt.

Heading the list of experts is Briggs & Stratton’s Yard Doctor, Trey Rogers. Rogers and a team of lawn and garden experts will field anyquestions homeowners may have about their lawns, trees, flowers, weeds,pests or other concerns. For equipment queries, consumers may talk to one of 20 Briggs & Stratton experts. Yard Smarts is an educational program designed to build consumer knowledge, provide answers and expert advice, and give all consumers the confidence to handle yard care activities.

Briggs & Stratton Corporation is the world’s largest producer of gasoline engines for outdoor power equipment. Its wholly owned subsidiary Briggs & Stratton Power Products Group LLC is North America’s number onemanufacturer of portable generators and pressure washers, and is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of lawn and garden and turf carethrough its Simplicity(R), Snapper(R), Ferris(R) and Murray(R) brands.Briggs & Stratton products are designed, manufactured, marketed and serviced in over 100 countries on all seven continents.