Lawn Equipment
Choosing human-powered or electric lawn equipment are great ways to protect the environment. They don’t spew fumes into the air and they tend to be quieter than gas counterparts. However, keep in mind where your power is coming from. Electricity typically comes from fossil fuels (like coal). So make sure you invest in clean energy, either by generating your own or purchasing it through MGE.
Consider Reel Mowers
Are you tired of the noise and smell created by small engines? Would you actually like to hear the birds sing while mowing the grass? Do you want to get back to the basics - no start strings, no key to remember, no gas and oil fuel cans. A reel (real?) mower may be for you!
Reel mowers have many benefits:
Inexpensive compared to power units.
Safe -they stop when you stop.
Work very well and deposit grass clippings back into the lawn for fertilizer.
Low maintenance - you only need to brush off the blades after use, occasionally oil them, and sharpen them every other season (with DIY sharpening kit available).
Who needs the gym - pushing a reel mower burns as many calories per hour as tennis or low-impact aerobics.
They’re quite without polluting fumes. Your ears, nose and neighbors will thank you.
Overall, they are a great choice, especially for small lawns. There are a few downsides, but this owner of a reel mower thinks the upsides drastically outweigh the downsides! First, you need to rake twigs beforehand or they get caught in the mower blades. Second, they aren’t great for mowing tall grass or shredding leaves. Thus, you need to stay on top of mowing (generally 1x per week).
Choose Electric Over Gas
Most gas-powered lawn care equipment now has an electric counterpart that you should consider. Electric lawn equipment tend to be quieter than gas models. They also require relatively little maintenance - no spark plug replacement, no oil changes, and no gas refills.
Electric options are much better for the environment. The EPA has estimated that more than 800 million gallons of gas are used each year on lawn equipment. And since small engines have minimal emission controls, gas - powered engines are widely recognized as a major source of air pollution.
Lawn Mowers: If you like traditional lawn mowers, electric mowers may be a great option for you. There are battery-powered (cordless) options available that will run for about 30 minutes to 1 hour on a single battery. While they may be more expensive upfront to purchase, they can save you money over the long run.
Weed Wackers: Cordless weed wackers are available and a great option for your home. They tend to be much lighter than gas models.
Leaf Blowers: They aren’t just for leaves. They come in handy for all sorts of tasks, like cleaning decks, dirty walkways, and even clearing light snow. Corded electric leaf blowers are powerful enough for many large jobs and lightweight. If you have convenient outlets outside, they may be a great option. If you don’t want to be tethered to a power cord, there are also cordless options.
So what are the downsides? First, if you have a large lawn, you may need to wait for the battery to recharge before finishing a task unless you have a backup battery. Second, they aren’t always as powerful as gas counterparts. So, if you have a tall and thick lawn, an electric mower may be more challenged than its gas counterpart. Of course, if you have a large lawn, you could always consider converting some of it into a native prairie or woodland garden to reduce mowing!