There are several ways to cut your grass without pushing a lawnmower. Many are labor-intensive, but some are surprisingly easy. You can choose a cutting method that provides exercise and plenty of sunlight, or opt for one of the less strenuous options.
Livestock Grass Cutting
Sheep, goats, and chickens all eat grass and keep lawns short and looking well-kept. They also provide free fertilizer and weed control. Do not graze livestock on lawns where chemical fertilizers and pesticides have been applied.
Sheep and Goats
Sheep and goats are excellent grass mowers. They keep grass short, eat weeds before they go to seed, and add plenty of free organic fertilizer that breaks down quickly and nourishes the lawn.
Free-roaming goats require a sturdy fence. You can also use a chain (goats and sheep will chew through rope) and a stake to move them around the yard. Some cities have ordinances against keeping livestock on your property. Make sure you check local bylaws before buying a few goats. Some cities and states take a more environmentally enlightened approach.
Several companies in California provide goat mowing services. Google brings in 200 goats as needed for a week of lawn maintenance. Other companies do the same thing. Depending on the size of your lawn, sheep or goats will save you one to three hours of mowing time per week.
Chickens
Chickens cannot compete with sheep and goats for the volume of grass consumed. You need at least four to six chickens to control 1000 square feet of grass (area of an average front yard, 50’ x 20’). They have to be on it constantly. Another method of effective chicken grass control is to have a movable pen you can set up in problem areas.
Keeping chickens in a city is usually more acceptable than having sheep or goats. Many jurisdictions allow a certain number of chickens per household. In many cases, roosters are not permitted.
Chicken grazing not only provides free fertilizer and soil aeration, but the birds also supply free eggs and can be butchered and eaten once their egg-laying days are over.
Scythes and Sickles
Sharp scythes and sickles make surprisingly short work of lawnmowing once you get the hang of using them.
Scythes
A scythe is essentially a sword attached to a long, curved stick. Scythes have been used for centuries to harvest crops. Used properly, they cut grass cleanly and evenly.
Using a scythe properly is an acquired skill. Practice eliminates scalped patches or divots dug out of the lawn. Sharp scythes are an excellent tool for cutting long grass quickly.
It requires approximately 10,000 scythe strokes to cut one acre of grass, providing a significant amount of core exercise. Mechanized cutting machinery ended widespread use of scythes, but there is a resurgence in interest in the tool as people become more environmentally conscious.
Penn State University provides a detailed article on scythe use and maintenance for anyone interested in cutting grass with this efficient tool. Scythes work best on slightly damp grass, after a light shower or in the morning when there is still dew on the grass.
Caution: Scythe blades are usually 12” to 36” long and kept very sharp for efficient cutting. Getting hit by a scythe blade will cause serious injuries. Keep children and pets away when cutting.
Sickles
A sickle is a mini scythe. It is very efficient for cutting small areas of grass. Sickle blades have a more pronounced curve and a short handle. You must be bent over or on your hands and knees to get a level cut.
Sickles need to be kept as sharp as possible and are most effective when the grass is slightly damp.
String Trimmers
String trimmers, also known as weed whackers, make short work of edging and hard-to-reach places, but also mow lawns. They are especially effective if the grass is long. Trimmer options include gas-powered, electric, and battery-powered.
Weed whackers are easy to use and cut grass quickly. They can begin to feel heavy, making it a little difficult to maintain a constant lawn height. Use the trimmer on dry grass. Wet grass clumps in the trimmer mechanism and on the lawn.
Some trimmer manufacturers offer a blade option, a handy choice for cutting grass with saplings or tough-stemmed weeds growing in the lawn. The blades should be kept sharp for the best cutting. They are also dangerous and slice through shoes, boots, and feet easily.
Hedge Trimmer and Hedge Shears
Both of these tools are especially effective for tall grass.
Trimmer
Hedge trimmers are a motorized (gas, electric, or battery-operated) piece of equipment that cuts hedges down quickly. It can also be used to give small sections of lawns a quick haircut. You will probably have to use it bent over or while on your knees to leave a consistent grass height. It is difficult to use on large expanses of lawn.
Hedge trimmers are a great option to get long grass cut short enough that a lawn mower can get through it without clogging or having problems cutting it all. Rake up the cuttings before using your lawnmower.
Shears
Like a sickle, hedge shears require you to be bent over on your knees to produce even cuts. They are best used to make small, difficult areas neat and clean. Hedge shears look like long-handled scissors.
If you have hedges in your yard, you probably already own a set of hedge shears, making them an easy and quick choice for trimming a small area of lawn without pulling out bigger equipment.
Reel Mowers and Robot Mowers
Push reel mowers and robot mowers are still lawnmowers, but not necessarily the first thing people think of when they consider a lawnmower.
Reel Mowers
Manual reel mowers are a great option for trimming a small amount off the top of grass blades. This push mower works best on dry grass. If your grass is six inches long and you are taking off two inches, a reel mower should not be your first choice.
Reel mowers are quiet and environmentally friendly. They are best used on small lawns unless you want a good workout.
Robot Mowers
Robot mowers like the Navimow X315 keep your grass clipped to the proper length without the need to push a machine around. Like robot vacuums, these mowers do not require much human direction once they are set up.
Maintain a Regular Cutting Schedule
Maintaining grass at the proper height keeps it healthy and vibrant. The best height to cut grass depends on the type of grass, the time of year, and environmental conditions.
Know the best time to cut grass and cut off one-third of the length of the grass each cut. Cutting more or scalping the lawn damages grass blades and causes weak root systems.
What Is the Right Tool For Your Lawn?
All of these tools cut grass. Before deciding on lawn maintenance tools, it is best to assess your situation and needs.
- Size of lawn
- How quickly the grass grows
- Style of lawn. Large, clear area? Small area? Trees, flower beds, shrubs, or tight areas to work around?
- Equipment cost
- Time involved
- Amount of effort needed to use various tools
- Environmental impact
Other Tools: Top 10 Lawn Care Tools
Once you have decided how to approach your lawn cutting, price and quality combine with your ability to stick to your decision. For instance, scythes can be purchased for $20.00, while good ones cost well over $200.00. Reel mowers can cost over $300.00. Depending on your feasibility, you can choose any of the tools, and you will not have to have a lawnmower.
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