Try a Push Mower!

Benefits
Environmental Benefit: ★★★★★

According to the EPA, gas powered mowers and lawn equipment account for an astounding 5 to 9% of our air pollution! Mowers produce roughly 4 x the pollution of a car, per hour - mostly because of their lack of emission controls. They also produce significant noise pollution. And gardeners spill more gas each year than was spilled in the Exxon Valdez spill - which adds to air pollution by evaporation.

Money Saved: ★★★☆☆

You'll save on the cost of the mower, since push mowers are cheaper (sometimes can be had for free!). Also save the cost of gasoline to run it.

Lifestyle Benefit: ★★★☆☆

How much of a lifestyle benefit this is really depends on the type of person you are! I like gadgets, machines, and would rather use a power tool. But using a push mower will give you more exercise, and reduce your handling and home storage of a dangerous and toxic chemical (gasoline). Push mowing is also a more peaceful and "natural" experience. And you won't have the frustrations of dealing with a cantankerous old mower that doesn't want to start! Plus you aren't as likely to lose a hand or foot while using a push mower! So although it isn't the "convenient" solution and requires more work, there are definitely a number of lifestyle benefits.

What We’re Doing

We used a gas-powered mower for quite a few years. As they age, they tend to get harder to start. Although I was doing most of the mowing, Shannon occasionally got to it before I did but didn't like that she sometimes couldn't get the thing started. When one of our neighbors mentioned that they had an old push mower (sometimes called a "reel mower") they didn't want, she jumped at the chance to get one free. I have to admit, she's pretty much taken over the mowing since we got it - and I've lost out on the little exercise I got from pushing the powered mower around. But I haven't had to fool with our smelly old machine either which is a blessing. An electric mower option, while still using energy from the power plant, would still be much less polluting than gas models if you don't want the work of a push mower. The fact that we have a small lawn to mow definitely helps!

A Little Humor

"A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken."
— James Dent