The Garden Of Oz

What to look for when buying a lawn mower.

Buying a lawn mower is as individual as buying shoes. Style, fit, purpose and terrain are as important with mowers as they are with footwear. Driving in this metaphor, let's add that people generally do not go hiking in stilettos. Likewise, a huge riding mower would be inappropriate for a small, intricately manicured yard.

When looking at lawn mowers, power is everything—but not in the sense most people would think. This is not about larger engines; a large engine will give you greater speed and force, but too much power in a small space is a waste and can be dangerous. Too little power in a big space will not get the job done. Let's look at the options and the pros and cons of each.

When purchasing a riding lawn mower (and some walk-behind mowers), remember that the engine requires regular maintenance. An occasional tune-up will go a long way in keeping your mower running smoothly.

More Power

In the '90s-era sitcom "Home Improvement," the character played by Tim Allen declared his need for more power in just about every episode. If this TV dad were buying a lawn mower, he would buy a riding mower. If your yard is large and relatively free of debris, then a riding mower is the way to go.

Just like when you're buying a car, look at the features and horsepower when buying a riding mower. The mower needs to be powerful enough move itself and the rider over grassy terrain and still cut the grass. The top riding mower according to 10rate.com is the Husqvarna YTH2042. This Husqvarna riding mower earned the top spot for its sturdy build and extra features, like air induction, fender-mounted cutting-height adjustment, and anti-scalp wheels.

Horse Power

An engine-driven, walk-behind mower is a common choice for homeowners—they do the job just fine for most residential lots, and the self-propelled models require little exertion. Because they are maneuverable, these mowers are a good choice for yards with extensive landscaping or complex border work. These push mowers come with electric or gas motors. In the electric models, there are cordless and models with cords. Overall electric models are much quieter and less challenging to start or keep running but you need to make sure you don't run over the cord. Cordless models are great for small yards and if you want to mow at 7AM, as they are so quite you won't wake the neighborhood.

Some garden experts recommend you let the grass clippings fall into the grass, to create a thatch canvas that protects the grass' roots. Doing this requires you to occasionally remove the dead grass in a process called dethatching. This can be labor-intensive, so most people prefer to have a clipping bag to catch the cuttings. Some walk-behind mowers have the bags in the back, while others have it positioned to the side. Don't forget, you can use the grass clippings for your composting needs.

Having the bag in the back means that the person pushing the mower can be showered with the dust that escapes through the bag’s mesh. Side bags do not present this problem, but they do add a couple of feet to the turn radius. If your yard has narrow areas, this could prove difficult.

For the typical walk-behind mower, prices start at $150 and go up, depending on your engine's horsepower and clipping bag position. Self-propelled walk-behinds are more expensive, ranging from $500 to $900. You can find leading brands at most department and home repair stores.

Muscle Power

The newest trend in lawn mowers is actually the oldest. Push mowers, also called reel mowers, have seen sales almost double in the last five years, according to NBC News. These are great for small, even yards. The push mower is a good option for someone who enjoys the quiet that landscaping without a gas engine offers or wants the peace of mind that comes with eco-friendly gardening. There is an added benefit of making your muscles power the machine—you can make it part of your weekly workout. According to LiveStrong.com, a person can burn 5 calories a minute with a push mower. This is a pretty good weekly exercise for a $40-$80 investment.

Small-Space Cutters

Small, intricate spaces with a fair amount of debris are the bane of a garden landscaper. Rather than struggle with a mower that can't maneuver through the space, a hand-held cutter will suffice. A weed eater can be purchased for as low as $20 and can do the edging work that a mower cannot. Likewise, electric mowers are quiet, which is nice for areas where sound pollution can be a problem. They come in both corded and cordless versions and are priced as low as $125.

If you have any comments, I’d really like to hear from you.

OZ Gardener
The Garden Of Oz

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