"Ann" wrote in message
...
"JoeSpareBedroom" expounded:


Let's include people who simply don't have the time to do the job right,
per
whatever their definition is.

Or lets leave it with the original point, which is just as valid - it
isn't all that expensive to do your own lawnwork yourself, especially
if you don't have the money to pay someone else to do it.
--
Ann, gardening in Zone 6a


If you don't have the money, then there's no choice, silly. This is why I
don't visit the local Porsche dealership.

Charles wrote:

The comments in the thread are interesting, particularly about the
size of typical lawns. I'm in So. Cal, I timed my lawn mowing one
time. From getting off the sofa to back on the sofa, five minutes.

That's not a lawn, that's Ann's pubic patch.

I use a battery mower.

Must be a Norelco

In article ,
"JoeSpareBedroom" wrote:

"Ann" wrote in message
...
"JoeSpareBedroom" expounded:


Let's include people who simply don't have the time to do the job right,
per
whatever their definition is.

Or lets leave it with the original point, which is just as valid - it
isn't all that expensive to do your own lawnwork yourself, especially
if you don't have the money to pay someone else to do it.
--
Ann, gardening in Zone 6a


If you don't have the money, then there's no choice, silly. This is why I
don't visit the local Porsche dealership.

Turn your back for a second (sigh). Joe, you know what Ann meant. You
lacking for something to do? Play nice won't you?
--
FB - FFF

Billy

Get up, stand up, stand up for yor rights.
Get up, stand up, Don't give up the fight.
- Bob Marley

Pennyaline wrote:

I have only a 1/3 acre in total but a relatively large amount of green
space, as I'm the exception in this area of fairly new developments in
that less than half of my lot is taken up by the house itself! I use a
riding mower for most of it -- even in such a small area without the
riding mower I would not be able to keep it up at all. I use a
walk-behind for two steeply sloped areas in front of the house (thank
God those bits are small!). I don't worry about spraying and feeding, as
I mulch the clippings from mowing and have clover growing. The only
regular edging I do is along the sidewalks and curb. Those areas would
be overrun with bindweed if I didn't edge them and keep the vines and
runners cut back. Watering is done with hoses and portable sprinklers,
so there is no in-ground irrigation system to maintain. Hedges and beds
are managed with weed suppression and mulching, and only need edging
once or twice a year to subdue encroachment. It takes me about an hour a
week to keep the place looking nice. Routine mower maintenance runs me
about $100.00 annually, including pick up and return by the maintenance
guy (someone probably thinks this is too much, I think it's fine for a
couple of decade-old mowers -- one a rider). It would be much easier to
have someone else come and do it for me, but they would invariably kill
my clover, "feed the grass" with spray-on nonsense, over-mulch, rake up
clippings and waste them in a landfill somewhere, nick the bark on the
trees, raise the level of noise pollution with leaf blowers, overwater,
gouge my bank account and diminish the quality of my time outdoors.


From your description your lawn is a bit more complicated than average
(those hills), but still there are lawn service companies that are
careful, concientiious, and reasonably priced. I originally tried a
few I wasn't happy with but then found one that I kept for 14 years:
Fabian Lawn Care & Garden Service. Four hard workers showed up, they
had top of the line commercial equipment, they worked their way up and
down the neighborhood streets all day every day doing about half the
houses on each block, They were in and out of each property in 20-30
minutes, and since every property was the same size with very few
differences in configuration they charged everyone exactly the same, a
smart move, prevented an aura of favoritism and jealousy. Each worker
did a different set of tasks, soon as the guy on the riding mower
moved to the next ouse the guy with the string trimmer moved right in,
etc. For 14 years I didn't need to own any lawn equipment, no
replacements, no service, no maintenence, no dangerous gas cans, no
labor... averaged $27.50 a month for 14 years. And Fabian did a lot
of freebies for his regular customers; he maintained my sprinkler
system for only the price of parts (most times there were none), over
the years he removed two huge trees and ground the stumps, he removed
about 40' of overgrown hedge, about 20 large bushes (more like trees),
cut down, hauled away, and ground down those stumps too. I had no
complaints in all that time, he never missed a week, even mowed in the
rain.. The only thing I paid extra for was chemicals, but was no more
than had I bought my own and again he did the labor, My lawn looked
as good as any in BH&G. There is no way anyone can take proper care
of a typical surburban sized lawn for less than $27.50/wk, just not
possible... not unless they do a hit and miss slop job. If someone
really enjoys doing their lawn, fine, but I don't want to hear how
they save money doing it all themselves, I just won't believe them.
There was a time I did my own lawn, didn't take me long to realize it
cost me money not to have a lawn service.

Btw, a $100 a year to service those two mowers with pick up and
delivery is a real bargain... and because they're properly serviced is
why those old machines lasted so long... and I bet they perform
flawlessly, start right up... and if ever there's a problem, since
you're a regular long time customer I bet they send someone right over
to check it out no charge.

It costs about $50 to properly service a push mower for a year, and it
takes a couple hours to do it right; needs to be cleaned underneath
(mower shop uses a high power washer - you can buy one, more money and
another machine to service), really should be power washed after each
use, or at least hand scraped, much less strain on a clean mower. The
mower shop pays much less for parts so they can make a profit: the
average blade is like $10, sometimes a bit more, you need a spark
plug, a fuel filter, a muffler, and motor oil... need to oil/grease
moving parts too. And some people ignore wobbly worn wheels but those
should be replaced. And it's not safe to use the same mower blade
more than a year (they warp and fatigue), besides while the old one is
taken off for sharpening may as well put on new, it's not worth saving
the $10 to sharpen an old blade. Self propelled and riding mowers
cost more to service and maintain. And with most people a mower
doesn't last more than a few years before it needs replacement,
especially not if the lawn is actually mowed regularly (mine was mowed
at least 32 times a season). And the typical do-it-yourself mower
monkeys shorten the mower's life even more... most start off all gung-
ho truly believing they will do all the service by the book, truth is
few ever read the book let alone ever even change the oil. Pennyaline
is wise to have the professionals do it.

I mow because I'm retired and have time, and I enjoy it, I find
driving a tractor very relaxing... and I knew exactly what I was
getting into with so much to care for, I didn't want to spend my
retirement sitting in a chair looking out a condo window.

Javier wrote:
Next year I will be taking care of the lawn rather than using a local
lawn services, I simply can't afford it any more. Besides my lawn
mower, edge trimmer and leaf blower are there any other tools that I
need in order to keep my lawn healthy? I leave in North Eastern, NJ.

Javier

A fertilizer spreader and a Pump pressure sprayer for weed control.

Derryl

On Sun, 26 Aug 2007 17:11:59 -0700, Persephone wrote:

On Sun, 26 Aug 2007 21:51:58 GMT, "JoeSpareBedroom"
wrote:

"Javier" wrote in message
roups.com...
On Aug 26, 1:41 pm, "JoeSpareBedroom" wrote:
"Javier" wrote in message

ups.com...

[...]

No. You use a rake for the leaves. I can move leaves twice as fast as my
neighbor, who's got a leaf blower, and I ain't no spring chicken. Look in
your phone book for a REAL garden center, and tell them you need a rake for
leaves.

I want a rake with fine thin metal teeth like my gardener has. But I
haven't seen one anywhere around -- Home Despot, OSH, etc.
Any sources not too far, LA Area?

Tx

Persephone



Not sure what kind of rake you're looking for, but try Green
thumb/Green Arrow. they have lots of stuff, several locations in the
LA area.

Hmmm.... Large number of postings here...
I think I will add to this madness here

My lawn consist of six acres. It takes about four hours per week to
take care of it. All by my self .... them ha ha he madness of it hmpff

Tools for my lawn...
The mower:
I worn out two cheap riding mowers in three years, each mower cost $2000.
My current mower is a $7000 Xmark Zero turn mower that I have had now
for six years ..... sweet.. still nice. I take it in each year for tune
ups - about $150. The thing is worth more than my truck.

Leaf blower: to clean the mower off, also has other purposes.
Air compressor: Use blow gun for cleaning mower - chuck for airing tires.
Breaker bar and 1" socket: for blade removal.
Blade Holder: for blade removal.
Dremil: hand rotary tool with grinding bit to sharpen blades.
My favorite tool for many purposes.
Fork lift: optional - I do not have one. At work they use these to lift
the mowers to clean under under the decks.
I have to use a car ramp to get under mine.
Trimmer: I prefer a straight one over curved ones.... Jokes go here

Items for the user:
Muai Jim sun glasses: $300 Great for mowing, keeps the dust out of eyes.
Saftey Glasses: $5 for trimming.
Paper Mask: Keeps lungs clear, however bad for the image.
Noise Canceling Headphones with an iPod: Nice to mow the yard
while listening to "Concrete Blonde"
Base ball cap: Mine is from the "Science Fiction Book Club"

And YES!
with all of this garb --- I do look like something from outer space.

Optional -- If you drink beer , I do not, Mower must have cup holders.
Does not work well with dust mask.

he he ha ha ah ah ahhhhhhh ......

Enjoy Life ..... Dan


In article ,
Eggs Zachtly wrote:

JoeSpareBedroom said:

"Javier" wrote in message
ups.com...
On Aug 26, 1:41 pm, "JoeSpareBedroom" wrote:
"Javier" wrote in message

ups.com...

Next year I will be taking care of the lawn rather than using a local
lawn services, I simply can't afford it any more. Besides my lawn
mower, edge trimmer and leaf blower are there any other tools that I
need in order to keep my lawn healthy? I leave in North Eastern, NJ.

Javier

Some good hand weeding tools. And, don't be one of those people who
chases
one leaf around the yard for 3 hours with the blower, thereby making your
neighbors want to put a bullet in your head. You could replace the silly
thing with a good quality push broom.

Thanks,

So basically ditch the blower idea and use a push broom to get the
fall leaves to the curb so the town can pick them up?

Thanks,

Javier


No. You use a rake for the leaves. I can move leaves twice as fast as my
neighbor, who's got a leaf blower, and I ain't no spring chicken. Look in
your phone book for a REAL garden center, and tell them you need a rake for
leaves.

Guaranteed, you can't move leaves faster than a backpack blower, using only
a rake.

--
Email "dan lehr at comcast dot net". Text only or goes to trash automatically.

In article
,
"Dan L." wrote:

Concrete Blonde

Thanks for the tip. With six acres I'd hazard a guess your little
ear celia are staring to go horizontal.

Perhaps of interest.

Ostriches & Chirping 0:33 Elliott Smith

From a Basement On the Hill Alternative

Bill

--

S Jersey USA Zone 5 Shade

This article is posted under fair use rules in accordance with
Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, and is strictly for the educational
and informative purposes. This material is distributed without profit.

http://www.ocutech.com/ High tech Vison aid

"Dan L." wrote in message
...
Hmmm.... Large number of postings here...
I think I will add to this madness here

My lawn consist of six acres. It takes about four hours per week to
take care of it. All by my self .... them ha ha he madness of it hmpff

Tools for my lawn...
The mower:
I worn out two cheap riding mowers in three years, each mower cost $2000.
My current mower is a $7000 Xmark Zero turn mower that I have had now
f


Items for the user:
Muai Jim sun glasses: $300 Great for mowing, keeps the dust out of eyes.
Saftey Glasses: $5 for trimming.
Paper Mask: Keeps lungs clear, however bad for the image.
Noise Canceling Headphones with an iPod: Nice to mow the yard
while listening to "Concrete Blonde"

Base ball cap: Mine is from the "Science Fiction Book Club"

They should have given you the ball cap to match the mower. John Deere sent
me one in the mail .. A big broad brim hat is really beter.

With 6 acers you do need a comercial type mower. I have about 1.5 acers to
actually mow and the Residential mower I have does not run fast enough to
suit me. Plenty of HP, but probably some government regulation on the speed
or the blade speed being too dangerous for the home owner.


I do use the cheep earmuffs to cut down on the noise while mowing and doing
the weed eating. Try not to do much weed eating and use Roundup. Also the
mask is worth having and so is a good pair of gloves.

On Aug 26, 6:09 pm, Sheldon wrote:
"JoeSpareBedroom" wrote:
"Javier" wrote:

Next year I will be taking care of thelawnrather than using a local
lawnservices, I simply can't afford it any more. Besides mylawn
mower, edge trimmer and leaf blower are there any other tools that I
need in order to keep mylawnhealthy? I leave in North Eastern, NJ.

Some good hand weeding tools. And, don't be one of those people who chases
one leaf around the yard for 3 hours with the blower, thereby making your
neighbors want to put a bullet in your head. You could replace the silly
thing with a good quality push broom.

What makes you think the blower is going to be used for leaves... this
is about lawns... there's no leaf blowing during the entire grass
growing season... and perhaps the OP has no trees dropping leaves, or
would prefer a rake, so don't assume. The blower is primarilly used
to blow grass clippings from edging and string trimming... for the
typical surburbanlawnthat's like a five minute blow job..

If the OP has the typical surburbanlawnof about an acre or less it's
not possible to save money doing it yourself... can do it for
enjoyment and exercize but it's not possible to save a dime... and
then there's the time element, what takes the do-it-yourselfer the
better part of a day thelawnservicewill do in under 40 minutes, and
they'll do a far better job because they are just better at it plus
they use top of the line professional equipment... no way your dinky
Home Depotlawnequipment can compete with expensive commercial
machinery. And you need an edger and broadcaster too. Not only do
those machines need maintenance and repairs they need fuel, and a
storage facility, a good sized facility, like another garage. About
the only area where one can save a few pennies (maybe) is on the
chemicals... but then you need to haul them, store them, and spread
them... thelawnservicepays less than half what you'll pay for
chemicals. Thelawnservicealso takes away the grass clippings, may
not seem a biggie but in many surbuban municipalities the trash
collectors will not takelawnclippings, you need haul it yourself and
to pay to dump it. The clippings is what made me turn to alawnserviceat my last house, the town in its wisdom decided not to take
clippings with the trash. At first I resisted, but once I engaged theserviceI realized how much less it cost than doing it myself... AND I
DIDN"T HAVE TO DO IT!

I had 1/2 acre, during the entire 14 years they only raised their
price once, from $25/wk to $30/wk. They were extremely reliable,
showed up every Thursday without fail, even in the rain.

Now that I'm retired I mow ten acres. I have to do it myself, there's
nolawnservicearound here that will mow that muchlawn, certainly
not for a price I'm willing to pay. Of course if I grew hay I could
get mylawndone for free. But hay is ugly, and dirty.

If the OP has the typical surburban lawn of about an acre or less it's
not possible to save money doing it yourself... can do it for
enjoyment and exercize but it's not possible to save a dime... and
then there's the time element, what takes the do-it-yourselfer the
better part of a day the lawn service will do in under 40 minutes, and
they'll do a far better job because they are just better at it plus
they use top of the line professional equipment...

Oh, sure it is. I have 1/3 acre and I can mow it and edge it all in 1
- 1 1/2 hours.

Foobar wrote:

I have 1/3 acre and I can mow it and edge it all in 1
- 1 1/2 hours.

I may be able to do your lawn in 15 minutes.

Depends on the 1/3 acre and with what you're mowing and edging.
You're just an apprentice... in 1 1/2 hours I mow and edge five acres,
and I bet I do twice as good a job.

http://i1.tinypic.com/2itoh0y.jpg

http://i12.tinypic.com/6go9dug.jpg

But I don't save any money, obviously.

Ann wrote:
"readandpostrosie" wrote:

you forgot "willingness"... lawn service sounds great to
me!

Fine, as long as you're willing to pay. That's the point, Sheldon is
claiming it's more economical to pay someone - around here that'd be
$35 a week or so for lawn mowing, definitely not anything I would want
to spend my money on

How lucky, all your lawn equipment was a gift and you don't pay for
fuel because you slink out after midnight to siphon petrol.

it takes me about 45 minutes to mow my whole yard.

Show us this yard of yours... it's either a postage stamp or your idea
of a lawn is a something only a goat would appreciate.

And who services your mower... you forgot to list your most important
piece of equipment, knee pads.

Sheldon expounded:

Ann wrote:
"readandpostrosie" wrote:

you forgot "willingness"... lawn service sounds great to
me!

Fine, as long as you're willing to pay. That's the point, Sheldon is
claiming it's more economical to pay someone - around here that'd be
$35 a week or so for lawn mowing, definitely not anything I would want
to spend my money on

How lucky, all your lawn equipment was a gift and you don't pay for
fuel because you slink out after midnight to siphon petrol.

it takes me about 45 minutes to mow my whole yard.

Show us this yard of yours... it's either a postage stamp or your idea
of a lawn is a something only a goat would appreciate.

And who services your mower... you forgot to list your most important
piece of equipment, knee pads.

And you can't discuss anything without descending into vulgarity, a
sign of a truly weak mind.

You are truly a waste of time. No more. Buh-bye.
--
Ann, gardening in Zone 6a
South of Boston, Massachusetts
e-mail address is not checked
******************************

In article
,
William Wagner wrote:

In article
,
"Dan L." wrote:

Concrete Blonde

Thanks for the tip. With six acres I'd hazard a guess your little
ear celia are staring to go horizontal.

Perhaps of interest.

Ostriches & Chirping 0:33 Elliott Smith

From a Basement On the Hill Alternative

Bill

I checked the samples out on iTunes, Alternative is my favorite music
type. The band sounds like it would be nice to listen too, while working.
No samples of "Ostriches & Chirping" so I can anything about that one
song. Concrete Blonde is one of my favorite bands. Their music is very
dark. I believe they are cynics like me. A hint of truth behind
nonsense. I am surprised that people took out my cynical comments and
kept the good advice.

My lungs are clear, My hearing and mind may be going. I keep thinking, I
moved to the country to get away from the weirdos and transforming
myself into something else? I do not regret the move at all.

Enjoy Life .... Dan

--
Email "dan lehr at comcast dot net". Text only or goes to trash automatically.

In article ,
"Ralph Mowery" wrote:

"Dan L." wrote in message
...
Hmmm.... Large number of postings here...
I think I will add to this madness here

My lawn consist of six acres. It takes about four hours per week to
take care of it. All by my self .... them ha ha he madness of it hmpff

Tools for my lawn...
The mower:
I worn out two cheap riding mowers in three years, each mower cost $2000.
My current mower is a $7000 Xmark Zero turn mower that I have had now
f


Items for the user:
Muai Jim sun glasses: $300 Great for mowing, keeps the dust out of eyes.
Saftey Glasses: $5 for trimming.
Paper Mask: Keeps lungs clear, however bad for the image.
Noise Canceling Headphones with an iPod: Nice to mow the yard
while listening to "Concrete Blonde"

Base ball cap: Mine is from the "Science Fiction Book Club"

They should have given you the ball cap to match the mower. John Deere sent
me one in the mail .. A big broad brim hat is really beter.
With 6 acers you do need a comercial type mower. I have about 1.5 acers to
actually mow and the Residential mower I have does not run fast enough to
suit me. Plenty of HP, but probably some government regulation on the speed
or the blade speed being too dangerous for the home owner.


I do use the cheep earmuffs to cut down on the noise while mowing and doing
the weed eating. Try not to do much weed eating and use Roundup. Also the
mask is worth having and so is a good pair of gloves.

True "A big broad brim hat is really better"
Baseball cap does not cover the neck on those hot days.

True again: "With 6 acers you do need a comercial type mower".
Sad part it was a double $2000 lesson that added to my madness
The Xmark is fast with some shock resistance. I was able to mow the yard
in half the time.The Machine so heavy and wide tires, I find I do not
need a lawn roller. Over time the yard got smoother. With the lighter
mowers the yard was getting ruffer. I should say any comercial type
mower can do the same.

After blowing black dirt out of my nose and irritated lungs a few times
taught me to use the dust mask. It works, clean nose and clean lungs.
After all it is a big yard.

I am not rich by any means. A home in the country with lots of land
seems to cost the about the same as an average home in the city. Taxes
are lower, gas usage is higher. Instead of a nice car I went for the
lawn mower

Again taken out my cynical parts and kept the good advice

Enjoy Life ... Dan

--
Email "dan lehr at comcast dot net". Text only or goes to trash automatically.