Garden: Changing seasons signal slowdown
Wander by the lawnmower display at the hardware store and you
discover a rack of choices to be made.
Garden: Changing seasons signal slowdown
Wander by the lawnmower display at the hardware store and you discover a rack of choices to be made.
The most obvious one: Gas engine or electric power?
This is the decision I was attempting to make as I went shopping for a new lawnmower. Would I rather deal with gas at top price per gallon, or would I prefer using a 100-foot extension cord to enrich PG&E?
The question “Which is best?” took me to Google to search for answers. I found it with Consumer Reports online (http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/home-garden/lawn-garden/selfpropelled-mowers/reports/how-to-choose/index.htm )
Which is best? A lot depends on the person pushing the lawn mower, and there is more to consider than the price of gas, the experts say.
First, the gas-powered mower: It’s the choice of lawn care professionals who would not even consider an electric model. The gas mower handles long, thick grass and weeds. The self-propelled version can mow up hills and uneven areas. It’s best for lawns up to about one-half acre.
The down side is that it’s noisy, produces exhaust emissions and requires regular maintenance. Either you do it yourself, or take it to a repair shop. And, you have to pull the starter cord to get going.
The electric-powered mower starts with a push of a button and, of course, the plugged-in electric cord. The size of the lawn area is important – small yards are OK, but the cutting range is limited by the length of a 100-foot cord – usually less than one-fourth acre. There is no emission and no maintenance. But the life expectancy is limitied also. When it “dies” it’s pretty much dead, whereas a gas model can be coached back from the grave with a little repair work. .
Another difference, Consumer Reports says, is that even the best electric model is less powerful than a gas model. That means high, thick grass and weeds defeat the electric mowers. Still, it works fine with an ordinary well-maintained lawn. .
There are other things to consider such as mulching mower or a catch-it-in-the-bag version; the width of the cutting edge swatch; whether the lawn is totally flat, hilly or pockmarked with an uneven area; and the health and agility of the person running the mower.
I did not consider an expensive ride-on mower for my small grass area. The cordless electric mower appears to be more trouble – and more expensive – than I would consider. I am long past the stage to deal with a manual reel-type push mower.
So, what did I buy? I purchased a small electric mower, with a catch bag, for a little over $200. My grandson, who often cuts my lawn with his father’s gas-powered mower, asked me why did I do that?
With all the bells and whistles on other mowers, I chose electric for its instant start. The truth is I can’t pull the starter cord to get the gas mower going. Now I’m plugged in, as the musicians would say, and happy for the 100-foot electric cord.
The return to Pacific Standard Time is a signal to gardeners that the season is truly winding down. Take time to plant spring-floweringt bulbs and sow wildflower seeds. If you are thinking about installing a new lawn, stop thinking and do it now. Plant trees, shrubs, groundcovers, winter-blooming annuals and cold-season vegetables.
Rake the leaves for the compost pile. Pick up fallen fruit and remove dried mummies from fruit trees. Lightly prune evergreen trees that need thinning before the winter storms hit.
Gather up gardening tools and store them away in the garden shed or garage.
Clean fallen leaves from rain gutters. Before you know it, you will need those uncluttered downspouts.
E-mail Joan Jackson at bl*********@cs.com
