Not looking forward to lawn mowing

Part of retirement planning, moving from 8 acre property with 1 acre of lawn to mow to property with desert landscape with no mowing. River stone & cactus don't need watering or fertilizer. Feel sorry for older folks that are not as able to care for lawns like they did when younger.
 

Believe it or not I have never mowed a lawn in my 75 years of life. Back in Japan that job was designated to my younger brother or if he couldn't do it my dad did it. Once I moved to California I lived in apartments for quite some time so there was no lawns to mow. Once I did move into a home, I had a service mow my lawn. Then late in life I moved East and certainly was not going to mow the lawn so once again I have a lawn service mow it.
 
before i moved in with the kids i use to cut my own grass-half acre
i didnt know anything about lawn mowers so went to lowes and got one
i had to put it together myself-there was some tall grass in one section and i couldnt get the lawn mower thru it
my neighbor said he would raise the wheels for me-he said what i needed was a walk behind mower
i got one and their was no more problems i enjoyed cutting the grass and landscaping
i did it till i was 78 then moved in with the kids
i sure do miss it
 

Lawn mowing is my "independence" test. I keep about 1.5 acres mowed...using a riding mower, self propelled hand mower, and a trimmer. To do it all nicely, takes me about 6 to 8 hours....dozens of trees....one 3 or 4 hour day for mowing, and the next for trimming. So long as I'm physically able, I will continue to enjoy this outdoor work. If/when it becomes a chore I can no longer handle, that will be our clue to sell this nice country property, and move to an apartment.
 
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debodun said:
I get heart fibrillations just thinking about it. I have a quarter acre lot (minus the house and garage footprint). The front yard is on a slope. I bought a new walk-behind lawnmower last year that does have a self-propelling option, if I can get it started. I was think of hiring it done, but after getting estimates of $70 - $90 (I thought those estimates were for the season, but it was for every time one has to come), I figure 50¢ of gasoline and an hour of my time will get it done. All I can do is have a heart attack or stroke, then I won't have to worry about lawn mowing.
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Deb——-Did you look into buying a mower with electric start? That would prevent you from having to pull the cord.
 
With rain and cool temps predited for the rest of the week, I got fresh gas this morning and the mower started on the second tug amid a cloud of white smoke. Probably to be expected after sitting idle for over 6 months. So my mowing is done for now, but this time of year the grass grows fast and will likely have to be done again in a week if we get the rain predicted.
 
You go girl....


images
....but you're right it will need doing again in a week or 2..but best to keep right on top of it to prevent it being really hard work..
 
debodun said:
The dandelions pop up overnight, also. They make the lawn look unkempt even if it's just been mowed. They are difficult to mow over, too. They have such rubbery stems that bounce back.
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We always use weedkiller on the roots of the dandelions after winter, about a day or 2 before the first mowing of spring ...
 
hollydolly said:
We always use weedkiller on the roots of the dandelions after winter, about a day or 2 before the first mowing of spring ...
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Holly dolly. Did you know dandelions are a perennial. I always used weed killer in the fall to kill weeds. That means they won't come up in the spring. The only ones you get will be the ones that spring up from seed. Just a few. Also. Raise the mower. The roots of the grass go down as far as the tops and needs less water. It also inhibits seeds sprouting.
 
Camper6 said:
Holly dolly. Did you know dandelions are a perennial. I always used weed killer in the fall to kill weeds. That means they won't come up in the spring. The only ones you get will be the ones that spring up from seed. Just a few. Also. Raise the mower. The roots of the grass go down as far as the tops and needs less water. It also inhibits seeds sprouting.
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wise words... we do raise the mower ... for the first couple of mows of the spring
 
I handled that in 1987 when we sold our house and bought a townhouse condo. I gave away the mower and have not missed it yet.
 
debodun said:
I get heart fibrillations just thinking about it. I have a quarter acre lot (minus the house and garage footprint). The front yard is on a slope. I bought a new walk-behind lawnmower last year that does have a self-propelling option, if I can get it started. I was think of hiring it done, but after getting estimates of $70 - $90 (I thought those estimates were for the season, but it was for every time one has to come), I figure 50¢ of gasoline and an hour of my time will get it done. All I can do is have a heart attack or stroke, then I won't have to worry about lawn mowing.
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Have you given any thought to moving?
 
I enjoy mowing however our lawn isn’t long enough to mow yet, plus we had a couple inches of snow the other day. We have a large lot so use a lawn tractor for most and a push mower for other areas. It’s an enjoyable chore for me.
 
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