Spring Into Lawn Mowing
By Lillian & Dave Brummet, Fri Dec 9th

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Ahh. Spring arrives with the beautiful twittering of birdspreparing their nests for the unborn. What - can't hear them?The low rumble of lawn mowers not only drowns out natures'symphony, but also disturbs skittish wildlife and sleepyneighbors.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, some oldergas-powered lawn mowers produce in one hour as much airpollution as a new car does in 11 hours. Lawn mowers newer than1996 have to comply to new exhaust emission standards, which isa fantastic place to begin. However, these standards are not yetsatisfying for the health of the world.

Gasoline-powered mowers produce a cut that results in greaterwater loss and increased disease problems in lawns. Althoughmany are now made with 4-stroke engines (much less pollutingthan 2-stroke engines), they still produce emissions.

There is a returned interest in push mowers due to environmentalawareness of gas engine and electricity use.Typically, crowded cities are resulting in smaller lawns,reducing the need for large, heavy mowers. Push mowers are lightand easy to operate and, being much smaller, take up lessstorage room and do not pollute. These mowers are actually quitecheap and many stores are rising to meet the increased consumerinterest. We have read that 7-blade models are considered betterthan 5-blade models.

There are other choices on the market than electric, push andgas lawn mowers. There are solar-powered models, too. We read ofone featured in Omni magazine that operated on its own,traveling

the entire lawn area during the day and resting atnight. It looked to be about the size of a vacuum power-head.Apparently, a special fence is used to keep it within the lawnboundary and there is a built in alarm to prevent theft.

Old defunct lawn mowers that are not operating still have someuse. Remove the blade, motor, cords, wires and gas tank, leavingthe four-wheeled caddy and its push handle. Secure a box to thisand create a wheeled cart that is perfect for harvesting ortoting material around the property.

The metal frame of most lawn mowers is recyclable and its'wheels are often prized by workshop-creation crafters. The motorand remaining parts might also be appreciated at a repair shopwhere they could be reused.

There are alternatives to traditional grass, from wildflowermixes to low-growing ground covers, which rarely need mowing.Landscaping a portion or the entire area with drought tolerant,wildlife supporting plants is a very environmentally activeengagement that either eliminates or reduces mowing needs. Andreally, who couldn't use a little more time on their hands?

So get your exercise, reduce air and noise pollution; saveyourself some money and have a healthier lawn. Or let the sunrun the mower for you. Either way, the world will breathe alittle easier and maybe you will hear a songbird or two.

About the author:-- Written by Dave and Lillian Brummet based on the concept oftheir book, Trash Talk. The book offers useful solutions for theindividual to reduce waste and better manage resources. A guidefor anyone concerned about their impact on the environment.(http://www.sunshinecable.com/~drumit)