Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => General Gardening => Topic started by: Growster... on October 16, 2012, 06:28

Title: Putting the mower away - or not...
Post by: Growster... on October 16, 2012, 06:28
Anyone thinking of stopping mowing yet?

I was in two minds this weekend, but there's still quite a lot of grass at the moment.

Finally gave in yesterday, and did the lot...
Title: Re: Putting the mower away - or not...
Post by: Sideshoot on October 16, 2012, 06:36
i havent stopped scarifying lawns the past two weeks lol
Title: Re: Putting the mower away - or not...
Post by: allotmentann on October 16, 2012, 06:52
I am still scarifying too!(Only a week so far!). I have been debating whether to give it another cut again after or whether to leave it. I hate long grass and cause myself no end of work by cutting too short. The thought of looking at untidy grass all winter is not good, however, I know that it would be better for it. Still I have a cunning plan - my borders get bigger each year! Less grass to look after! :)
Title: Re: Putting the mower away - or not...
Post by: Growster... on October 16, 2012, 07:37
I sold my electric scarifier, for better or worse, as I never seemed to use it very much...

It used to rip great lumps out a bit where we have some 'Mind your own business' invading!

Perhaps it needs to be left a little longer than normal during the winter, but I agree with you that an untidy lawn over the winter just isn't really good enough is it!
Title: Re: Putting the mower away - or not...
Post by: Trillium on October 16, 2012, 14:24
My mower stays out until the leaves finish falling, then we attach the bagger and 'mow' the leaves. The mower shoots up the dry leaves, breaks them up, and literally cleans up the grass for us rather than raking. The contents then get dumped into either the compost bin or on the veg gardens.
Title: Re: Putting the mower away - or not...
Post by: allotmentann on October 16, 2012, 17:12
I sold my electric scarifier, for better or worse, as I never seemed to use it very much...

It used to rip great lumps out a bit where we have some 'Mind your own business' invading!

Perhaps it needs to be left a little longer than normal during the winter, but I agree with you that an untidy lawn over the winter just isn't really good enough is it!

Electric!? Oh no! no! I do it the hard way with a rake and fork! That is why it takes so long! But it is very good for your abs! And it gets you so warm you don't need the heating on. Practical, economical and very green! :nowink:

My mower stays out until the leaves finish falling, then we attach the bagger and 'mow' the leaves. The mower shoots up the dry leaves, breaks them up, and literally cleans up the grass for us rather than raking. The contents then get dumped into either the compost bin or on the veg gardens.
Bet that makes lovely compost! :)
Title: Re: Putting the mower away - or not...
Post by: Trillium on October 16, 2012, 20:07
It's incredible stuff because it's mostly broken up and decomposes fast over winter.
Title: Re: Putting the mower away - or not...
Post by: Welsh Merf on October 16, 2012, 20:10
I reckon about two more cuts and it'll hibernation time for the old mower, after a damn good service of course!
Title: Re: Putting the mower away - or not...
Post by: Dora5 on October 16, 2012, 20:43
My mower stays out until the leaves finish falling, then we attach the bagger and 'mow' the leaves. The mower shoots up the dry leaves, breaks them up, and literally cleans up the grass for us rather than raking. The contents then get dumped into either the compost bin or on the veg gardens.

A great idea... Thank you :)
(Added to my 'to do' list :))
Title: Re: Putting the mower away - or not...
Post by: Growster... on October 17, 2012, 05:56
I usually spend 20 mins strimming on the Plot n' Patch a couple of times a week, and only yesterday thought that I was winning the race...

As for home, Trills has the right idea and the leaves make great compost!

We have a squillion-year-old yew tree behind us, which drops Grape Nuts all over the garden each year, so I hope the new mower will take those up as well...
Title: Re: Putting the mower away - or not...
Post by: Sideshoot on October 17, 2012, 08:20
Ive got the mountfield elect scarifyer, it only comes out this time of year but well worth the money, im a gardener for my living and the lawns ive been doing....one house has 700 sq mtrs of luxury lawn full of moss, onther i just done was 400 sq mtrs and had about 1 1/2 to 2" of moss in it, looks terrible now but i know next year it'll look fab.
Title: Re: Putting the mower away - or not...
Post by: Willow_Warren on October 17, 2012, 09:49
Mowed yesterday (or at least my OH did!), as for scarifying - no... I haven't scarified, I don't have the time!

I'm hoping it'll be the last mow of the year!

Hannah :)
Title: Re: Putting the mower away - or not...
Post by: GYO Girl on October 18, 2012, 08:13
Like Trillium, our last "mow" at the weekend was less of a mow and more of a lawn vac.  the grass has almost stopped growing, but we have a large willow tree which is shedding leaves madly now.  The mower is by far the best way of picking them up and shredding them ready to be tipped straight into the leaf mould store, so our mower is not getting put away for the winter just yet.
Title: Re: Putting the mower away - or not...
Post by: Goosegirl on October 18, 2012, 14:24
You have been able to MOW???? My lawn hasn't dried out on the top for ages, never mind the bottom. It's grown up to my ankles and I can hear it squelch if I walk on it.
Title: Re: Putting the mower away - or not...
Post by: Plot 6B on October 20, 2012, 19:03
I always try and cut the lawns and paths during the winter, when the weather allows it.
Title: Re: Putting the mower away - or not...
Post by: Growster... on October 21, 2012, 05:39
Perhaps a signal moment in the mowing calendar comes, when I totally forget to mow, like yesterday, Nige!

There must be a built-in rhythm, which manifests itself in a combination of very wet grass, shorter days, 'Dad's Army being shown later, and all sorts of soporific indulgences...

;0)
Title: Re: Putting the mower away - or not...
Post by: WirralWally on October 22, 2012, 21:47
In the last 12 months January was the only one in which my lawns were not mown.
The grass is always growing and, if the weather is good enough, it will always need cropping.

My lawns were all cut today (lucky with the weather) and will certainly be cut again before our Guy Fawkes garden party (weather permitting).

Never think of putting your mower away.
Title: Re: Putting the mower away - or not...
Post by: Growster... on October 23, 2012, 06:46
A lot depends on the type of mower, and if I still had my old 21" Atco, with a sturdy roller, I probably would consider another cut or so.

But a wheeled rotary machine leaves marks which hang around for some time afterwards, and that is not a pretty sight!

Usually, by Feb, the grass is pretty well dormant, and not in good shape if there's been some snow, so we tend to leave it cut slightly longer throught the winter, and make it a bowling green come Easter!

I knew a chum who admitted that he once mowed on Christmas Day! I'd have thought there were better things to do...
Title: Re: Putting the mower away - or not...
Post by: arugula on October 23, 2012, 13:49
I've just cut the grass. It has definitely slowed down, but if it needs to be cut, it will be. Not just so much over the past couple of winters, but a few years ago here, it only stopped growing for about 6 weeks from around mid-December to the end of January.
Title: Re: Putting the mower away - or not...
Post by: Growster... on October 23, 2012, 20:11
I've just cut the grass. It has definitely slowed down, but if it needs to be cut, it will be. Not just so much over the past couple of winters, but a few years ago here, it only stopped growing for about 6 weeks from around mid-December to the end of January.

Arugula, I cannot watch the weather forecast without thinking what you Guys and Gals are going to face - well before us down in balmy Kent, this weekend...

Chuck the mower, and get outside a glass of Glenwhotsit - just for me please!

YKIMS!
Title: Re: Putting the mower away - or not...
Post by: arugula on October 24, 2012, 06:19
The cold stuff gets here on Friday Growster, one of the reasons I wanted it tidied before that,as I won't cut frosty grass. ::) I'll perhaps take your advice :D as I do know it makes sense, but I think this particular cold bit is moving southwards as far as Italy, quite fast...  :unsure:
Title: Getting the mower out again!
Post by: arugula on January 26, 2013, 11:41
Well, its definitely been growing again for a week or so now and is getting quite awkward. It really could have done with another cut last year, but it got so wet.....

Even though it is still squelching when I walk on the lawn, by necessity only, I shall have to bite the bullet and give it a very long cut sooner or later. ::) Maybe the ground will dry out. :)
Title: Re: Putting the mower away - or not...
Post by: Annen on January 26, 2013, 13:36
Mines still under 6 inches of snow, several feet of snow where it has come off the roof this morning!  So no need for me to worry about the grass for a while, phew!
Title: Re: Putting the mower away - or not...
Post by: Growster... on January 27, 2013, 06:15
Funny you should mention this again, but only yesterday, we were outside - in some very welcome sunshine, and the first stirrings of mowings popped onto the horizon, soon to vanish as it was almost tincture time...;0)
Title: Re: Putting the mower away - or not...
Post by: arugula on January 27, 2013, 07:05
Funny you should mention this again, but only yesterday,

I meant to mention it a week ago :D and only got round to it yesterday. ::)
Title: Re: Putting the mower away - or not...
Post by: arugula on February 24, 2013, 10:43
I love that smell of fresh cut grass. :D Especially the first one of the year. It has warmed up rapidly from the early frost and it looks so much better for a haircut. :)
Title: Re: Putting the mower away - or not...
Post by: Yana on February 24, 2013, 12:29
First cut of the season took place last week. Can you believe that?
Title: Re: Putting the mower away - or not...
Post by: Paul Plots on February 24, 2013, 12:31
Mine could do with a cut but it's not going to get it in this weather - too cold!
Title: Re: Putting the mower away - or not...
Post by: mumofstig on February 24, 2013, 12:45
and still too wet  :(
Title: Re: Putting the mower away - or not...
Post by: Paul Plots on February 24, 2013, 12:46
and still too wet  :(

That too.  :(
Title: Re: Putting the mower away - or not...
Post by: arugula on February 24, 2013, 16:00
First cut of the season took place last week. Can you believe that?

Ours needed doing over a month ago, but it was too wet.... until today. :)
Title: Re: Putting the mower away - or not...
Post by: Growster... on February 24, 2013, 17:36
Awww, I keep looking at it all, and seeing the detritus from wind-blown winter all over the place, I'm itching to get the mower out and give it a good seeing to...

Hope the petrol still has it's oomph, at £1,000.00 a litre, it had better be fine...
Title: Re: Putting the mower away - or not...
Post by: arugula on February 24, 2013, 18:01
Hope the petrol still has it's oomph, at £1,000.00 a litre, it had better be fine...

Is that all? ::) :D
Title: Re: Putting the mower away - or not...
Post by: Growster... on February 24, 2013, 20:44
Hope the petrol still has it's oomph, at £1,000.00 a litre, it had better be fine...

Is that all? ::) :D

Cheap at half the price, Arugula..

You're nearer Aberdeen, so it must be cheaper there...;0)
Title: Re: Putting the mower away - or not...
Post by: arugula on February 24, 2013, 20:48
Cheap at half the price, Arugula..

You're nearer Aberdeen, so it must be cheaper there...;0)

 :lol: :lol: :lol:

Not sure of petrol although it is usually a couple of pence less, but diesel is back up to £1.50. :(
Title: Re: Putting the mower away - or not...
Post by: devonbarmygardener on February 26, 2013, 18:56
I cut the grass in my back garden this afternoon.
It hasn't been done since November and since the weather has been dry for about a week now I figured it would be a good idea.

Mine isn't petrol-run though - national grid!! :D
Title: Re: Putting the mower away - or not...
Post by: Growster... on February 26, 2013, 21:10
I just don't have the heart to do this job yet!

The dog keeps escaping through a hole in the hedge, and all sorts of situations keep butting up and preventing the arrival of SPRING...

Teeth (and roads) need gritting while it's so cold, but seeds are definitely not an option yet, they'll get nowhere.

Pleeeeenty of time yet...;0)
Title: Re: Putting the mower away - or not...
Post by: allotmentann on February 28, 2013, 07:39
I did mine several weeks ago - with my human powered mower. It was a glorious morning, I popped the mower back in the shed, came in and made a coffee and watched as the lawn was buried under four inches of snow! :blink:
Title: Re: Putting the mower away - or not...
Post by: cadalot on February 28, 2013, 13:59
Ummmm I can tidy up the back garden and have material for my compost bin - need to cut grass
Title: Re: Putting the mower away - or not...
Post by: Plot 6B on February 28, 2013, 16:45
I finished early from work today and had all good intentions to cut the lawns. I did two stripes and BANG the mower blew up >:( >:( >:(
Title: Re: Putting the mower away - or not...
Post by: arugula on February 28, 2013, 16:59
Oh dear. :( Is it a fixable engine problem or a new machine job, Nige?  :unsure:
Title: Re: Putting the mower away - or not...
Post by: Plot 6B on February 28, 2013, 17:04
It's an Electric one I have at home Lorna and judging from the smoke that came from the motor I think it's time for a new one.
I can only think that the motor had condensation in it from being cold one minute and warm the next and caused a short.
O well in the grand scheme of things it's not a problem.
Title: Re: Putting the mower away - or not...
Post by: arugula on February 28, 2013, 17:10
Hm, we had a large electric one in orange livery and the size of our lawn saw it off after a couple of seasons. ::) Oh well, at least you can treat yourself to a new one. :)
Title: Re: Putting the mower away - or not...
Post by: Paul Plots on March 03, 2013, 06:57
I finished early from work today and had all good intentions to cut the lawns. I did two stripes and BANG the mower blew up >:( >:( >:(

If it's an electric one of those "orange things" there's quite a big range of spare parts available. I kept my dad's second-hand "given-to-him" model going for years.  ;)