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Average Member
 
Group: Banned Members
Last Login: 11/1/2009 6:18:12 AM
Posts: 586,
Visits: 509
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well I'd never let them just go. that's silly. Those that create habitat are next in line at the feed store saying, "I can't keep the bears out of my lawn".
Why can't you let it grow to hayfield?
Find a tenant, rent it out for a deal his can't refuse and you'll both be happy. He will get affordable hay ground and you can get something rather than paying money for gas. Then hire her out as a lawn care pro and she can get paid to cut other lawns. You sit at home and take 25% off the top. Making money rather than spending it.
That's the kind of green I like.
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Starting Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 10/27/2009 9:26:15 AM
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Well since we are talking about grass & snakes, I have to comment. One of the reasons I haven't been in a hurry to grow a lawn is due to snakes. The other has been the lack of water and the lack of enthusiasm to mow said lawn. I'd like to put some pasture grass down in lieu of a lawn, but would like to find some that does not require a lot of water or work. Not lazy, just limited on resources. We are living on 80 acres completely off grid, no water source except for what we haul in until we get the well drilled. I plan on developing a garden that is basically xeriscape, using only reclaimed/recycled water.
I agree with the initial post, that too much emphasis is given to producing a lawn for purely asthetic and social acceptance. A landscape that is much more the way nature intended is much more impressive to me. That's just my opinion, thanks for asking.
Kate
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Average Member
Group: Banned Members
Last Login: 11/1/2009 6:18:12 AM
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| the most maintenance free grasses cost a ton. I'm asked this all the time by folks I build walls for. Buffalo grass comes to mind....but again, it depends on were you live, zone, soil and such. Last night we cleaned up the job site, the client had stuff all over and asked us to collect it. He'd not cut the grass in a month of Sundays. My stone walls haven't had a snake all season. but the stuff he let go was FILLED...it was like one big knot of them. flipping 1 plank we found 6 and moving a tarp scattered more than we could all agree on. All of them a foot long + that's massive for here.
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Starting Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 10/26/2009 9:38:01 AM
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Well right now I only have a 1/2 an acre of lawn. Well minus the house, Garage, and kids stuff :P
I used to mow with a 21" push mower but that took to long. Now I mow with a '69 simplicity which has a 42" deck. So it takes about 20 minutes.
This time next year with any luck we will have moved next door and I will have 4 acres of lawn!
Not that it will be lawn for long lol. Just till I layout my crop plots and animal paddocks :)
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Average Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 6:17:56 PM
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| Our lawn is getting smaller. If taxes go up, we are letting the cows graze around the house.
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Average Member
Group: Banned Members
Last Login: 11/1/2009 6:18:12 AM
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| after the mouse thing, I'm mowing EVERYTHING! I also feed the chickens a wee bit in spots that need trimming.
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Starting Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 11/15/2009 5:36:11 PM
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I have about an acre to mow. However, I try to keep the lawn as sustainable as possible. This means no watering EVER. In NH this isn't too problematic.. stays green most of the summer. Also, I only mow it twice a month and set it HIGH. Also, about half of it is "weeds" (clover etc.) I don't care at all. The amount of time and energy I save more than makes up for the occassional "raised eyebrow" I get. Who cares.... We are going to waste resources maintaining a parade ground for now purpose??? Not me. I encourage everyone to do the same. Thanks!
Swampy Acres Farm
Hampstead, NH
www.swampyacresfarm.com
“Southern New Hampshire’s most un-profitable farm!”
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New Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 6:50:47 PM
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| We have just over 3/4 acre fenced in for the homestead area. This includes the house, 32x48 shop and storage, drive and parking, family garden, and front yard. I did this with the plan to minimize the amount of land that I would have to mow. We have been letting the cows into the front yard this summer and fall, but that will stop in a month or so. I am cutting the front yard in half at least this winter by planting 160 to 200 blackberry plants in the front half of it. Cheers, Paul
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New Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Yesterday @ 4:55:11 PM
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Lawn, it's just an extension of the garden. We don't have a lot anyway, but this year we converted most of it to garden. Used a rotary push mower most of the time. Else we moved around the bunny play pen.
Once we borrowed the neighbors JD, yea it got away once during "the rainy season"
On the topic of weeds, what good is an "omni-culture" anyway? 
IMHO 
JLH
JLH
Oldhaus Fibers & Rabbits
ARBA Registered Rabbitry
Giant, French,and Satin Angoras
American Fuzzy Lops
Flemish Giants
Mini Lops
in Amana, IA
www.oldhaus.net
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New Member
Group: Banned Members
Last Login: 11/15/2009 9:03:36 PM
Posts: 86,
Visits: 84
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We are going to waste resources maintaining a parade ground for now purpose???
to keep weeds down, cut the lawn at 4 inches.. then cut when it needs it. the purpose isn't to be snobby..or it's not meant to be, the idea is to keep rats and other vermin from your home. Perhaps you live in a world full of snobs and that is another issue, however I would not want to have a "green lawn" at the expense of a pile of snakes, rats and mice in my home and living space. Also Flies.
My current client has a million dollar home with a giant hay field that runs up to his front door. he wondered why he has millions of dead flies on the floor! well duh! they have a perfect place to thrive and the first place they ran to was your house. Also, his farm is dripping with snakes and rats!
So to me it's not about looking good but keeping such vermin under control. I mean if someone said, don't wash yourself...you'll be more green...would you give up showers at the risk of your health?
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