How to Avoid Mowing Your Lawn

Almost every Saturday, I am awoken by the sound of a neighbor's mower. The sound grates on my nerves and immediately puts me into a bad mood. Not because the sound is overly loud and obnoxious, but because it reminds me that I must also rise out of bed and mow my own lawn.

Thankfully, scientists have been working hard to come up with better alternatives than letting your lawn grow two feet high. Implementing them could mean my hands never touch a lawn mower again.

The first solution, and the easier of the two solutions to carry out, is the automatic mower. Currently, two major companies have designed these ingenious creations: Lawnbott and Robomower. Sure, they cost considerably more than the average mower, anywhere from $1200 to $2500, but considering the time I would save and that it would cost me much more to hire a lawn service, it really is not that bad. The battery-operated mowers are capable of mowing about 1/2 to 1-1/2 acres before needing to be recharged.

Depending on the model, the mowers even come with adjustable blades, mulching systems, theft-deterrent systems, rain detectors, manual controllers, touch-sensitive bumpers, a child guard, or a lift sensor. Some even have a buzzer that sounds five minutes before automatic departure warning people to clear the mowing area. The newer versions can even be programmed to start on its own at the time and day that you select.

The second solution would be to replant my lawn with specially designed "no-mow grass." No-mow grass is a recent development and is still being fine-tuned. Still, there are already several varieties of no-mow grass available, although they are usually either fescue, bent grass, or a mixture of the two. No-mow grass typically grows better in cooler climates, but some varieties have been showing promise in warmer climates.

No-mow grass grows slower than other grasses and will usually only reach a height of three to five inches. Of course, this means that it is capable of growing taller than most manicured lawns. However, this problem can be eliminated simply by mowing the lawn if it gets too long.

Establishing no-mow grass can be tricky. Generally, no-mow grass is not good for wet soils, deep shade, or clay soils that exhibit standing water after a rain. However, it is perfect for well-draining soils in full sun or partial shade. It is also great for vacation homes, around ponds, and in drainage ditches.

One of the biggest problems early on with no-mow grass is weeds, as they typically will grow much taller than the grass. Once the weeds are eliminated however, the lawn is virtually maintenance free because most no-mow grasses require very little water or fertilization in comparison to other grasses. The one major drawback to both of these solutions is the initial up-front costs--in both time and money. Yet, the long run savings are definitely worth it. I look forward to the day when I am able stay in bed when I hear the sound of the neighbor's mower, content in the knowledge that I am no longer a slave to my well-manicured lawn.