Presently of 12 months, when issues are quietening down within the backyard, the garden mower can begin wanting a bit surplus, angled awkwardly on the edges of yards, if not already gathering mud within the recesses of the shed. Wouldn’t it’s good in the event you might consider some actually helpful garden mower makes use of that would validate the existence of that hulking beast as soon as the grass stops rising? Actually, there’s loads you’ll be able to nonetheless use your mower for, so don’t be too fast to pull it into storage.
Primary garden mowing retains the yard tidy, however low season duties can unlock its actual potential. A lawnmower different for shredders or vacuums sits proper there already. Sharpen the blades as soon as, and it tackles powerful jobs with out skipping a beat. Run it over leaves or particles to cut every thing nice and quick. The bagger catches the mess whereas the blades do the work. Use a lawnmower like this for fast cleanups that beat raking or shredding by hand. So put together to get busy together with your mower once more, with these 9 unexpectedly sensible methods to make use of yours – past merely slicing grass!
9 Nice Garden Mower Options
The industrious shifting elements and ferocious speeds of garden mowing gear are able to repurposing all method of essential backyard supplies, in addition to serving to form and delineate elements of the yard which will face neglect at quieter instances of 12 months. Even when not mowing your garden, your garden mower might be making mild work of shredding and bulk-purposing, and in tandem with sturdy luggage for assortment, storage and distribution, it creates actually helpful time-savers across the backyard.
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These helpful garden mower alternate options embrace natural mulch manufacturing, soil and garden enchancment, particles shredding, and different cleanup and preparation jobs. Learn the way to show your grass-cutter right into a resourceful and versatile gardening gizmo.
1. Leaf Shredding
(Picture credit score: Marc Dufresne / Getty Photographs)
Fallen leaves pile up quick in autumn. As a very productive garden mower different, do this helpful leaf cleanup trick. Run your mower over the leaves on a excessive setting to shred every thing into small items. The nice bits break down faster and make nutrient-rich mulch that feeds the soil.
Toss in some good, wealthy compost if the leaves really feel dry to steadiness issues out. This mulch of yard trimmings and leaf clippings will suppress weeds and maintain moisture round crops with out a lot effort. Unfold it thick underneath shrubs; it feels crumbly, however settles right into a protecting layer that lasts by winter. Rake the leaves into rows first in the event that they’re scattered huge – it makes the passes simpler and catches extra in a single go. Dry leaves crunch underneath the blades, turning a chore into one thing satisfying.
Empty the bagger immediately onto beds or paths. The shredded leaves really feel lighter to unfold than they’d entire. Retailer extras in luggage, like Durasack Heavy Responsibility Yard Baggage from Amazon, for later use round perennials. It takes a bit to type out damp batches, however the mower handles them with out clogging in the event you go gradual.
2. Compost Pre-Shredding
For coarser backyard particles like thicker tomato stalks or downside vines, you should utilize a garden mower to cut them right down to dimension for the compost pile. Spent tomato vines or bean stalks go in entire and are available out shredded. Lay them out flat first, because the mower slices by simpler that means. The items warmth up quicker within the bin and decompose with out clumping.
Combine the shredded bits with greens for balanced composting. It’d really feel stiff to lug heavy vines over, however the outcomes are effectively value it. A mulching blade just like the Maxpower 21-Inch Common Gold Metallic Mower Blade from Amazon makes clear cuts each time. Compost turns richer, prepared for spring planting earlier than traditional.
3. Pine Needle Mulching
(Picture credit score: Douglas Sacha / Getty Photographs)
Pine needles work the identical means: acquire them underneath pine bushes after which mow them to create an acidic mulch for blueberries, azaleas and different acid-loving crops. The needles might really feel prickly at first, however they settle right into a mat that lasts months. Run a number of passes in the event that they’re thick, and it breaks them down nice. Unfold the mulch round acid-loving crops to carry soil pH regular and deters a number of pests.
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It’s a good suggestion to take common soil pH checks with a meter just like the Raintrip 4-in-1 Soil Meter from Amazon to evaluate how effectively your mulch is doing, and make amendments as crucial. Empty the bag straight into bins; the smaller items combine with out poking out. The scent lingers a bit, including to the backyard’s pure really feel.
4. Winterizing the Garden
The final mow of the season leaves grass clippings behind. Allow them to keep: the mower chops them nice. And in the event you mulch with grass clippings, they are going to recycle nitrogen again into the turf. This winterizes the garden naturally, constructing more healthy grass for spring. The clippings really feel mild, however pack severe vitamins as soon as they decompose. Water frivolously afterwards if the bottom is dry, because it helps every thing settle in.
Come hotter days, the grass greens up thicker with out further fertilizer. It’s a good suggestion to simply take a look at the soil pH sometimes, as clippings can shift it barely over time. Unfold your clippings evenly to keep away from clumps that may smother essential progress. This layer protects roots from frost, too. It takes a bit to regulate the peak, however the mower does the remaining. New progress pushes by strongly, with fewer naked patches.
5. Cowl Crop Chopping
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Cowl crops like clover or rye defend naked soil over winter. In case you haven’t already began some, seize a bag of Everwilde Farms 500 Crimson Clover Seeds from Walmart, which is a pleasant bumper provide at a cut price worth. These crops develop quick, and provides construction to reveal soil. As soon as spent, you should utilize your mower to chop them down in bulk at pace, chopping right down to distribute the place they’re wanted.
The items combine into the earth simpler earlier than tilling or planting that can assist you recharge your soil. It takes a bit to stroll the rows, however the mower handles it effectively. New beds come alive quicker with this prep. The roots keep put and add natural matter deep down. Scatter seed over the chopped residue, and it acts like a starter mulch that enhances germination charges.
Rotate crops subsequent season to maintain the soil balanced and productive. The chopped materials feels springy underfoot, like a pure carpet prepared for brand new progress. Flip the mower deck up for thicker stands. The residue breaks down over a number of months, enriching the grime with out further inputs.
6. Vacuuming Superb Particles
Superb particles like scattered straw or small twigs litters the yard after tasks, and garden mowers might help with yard waste removing. Connect the bagger and vacuum all of it up with a gradual go. The mower sucks up the mess with out scattering extra. A bagger attachment just like the American Garden Mower Firm Retailer Garden Mower Grass Catcher from Amazon catches every thing neatly.
The collected materials goes proper right into a compost pile or mulch pile with out further dealing with. Clear the discharge chute between runs to keep away from clogs from the damp stuff. It kinds out sticky bits that may in any other case jam issues up. Dump the bag in a single spot for straightforward switch. It’s an environment friendly course of, turning cleanup into a fast lap across the yard.
7. Backyard Mattress Prep
What can a garden mower do that can assist you prep your backyard beds, you might be questioning? You’d be stunned. For backyard beds, you’ll be able to set the mower deck excessive and chop floor weeds or leftover stalks. This preps the soil for seeds or transplants in minutes. The reduce bits work as instantaneous mulch you can make your self. Stroll slowly over uneven floor, and the mower ranges issues out.
Rake the residue frivolously if wanted. A rake just like the Vevor Panorama Garden Care Rake from Amazon might help with leveling, clearing and grooming. New crops root higher within the loosened prime layer. It takes a bit to maneuver tight areas, however the outcomes present up quick.
8. Pathway Clearing
(Picture credit score: KorshunovDV / Shutterstock)
Slim areas of paving and backyard paths overgrown with tall weeds or grass want clearing, too. Mow alongside the borders to stage them out. The reduce materials works as mulch proper there. Outline the perimeters first with string, because it retains the strains straight.
The paths keep tidy longer with the clippings down. It feels stable underfoot as soon as settled, lowering mud in rain. To set off that splendidly tidy impact over the darker winter months, why not add some photo voltaic lights, just like the Mancra Photo voltaic Pathway Lights for Walkways from Amazon?
9. Harvesting Nut Hulls
Fallen nuts like walnuts or pecans hull simpler underneath the mower. Run over them fastidiously to separate shells. It’s a good suggestion to put on safety, too, because the hulls can fly about. Security glasses just like the Dewalt DPG82 Anti-Fog Security Goggles from Amazon hold eyes protected from flying bits.
It’d maybe really feel odd to make use of a mower for this, however the harvest actually goes quite a bit faster in case you are doing massive batches. The shells crack open cleanly, making nut gathering much less of a backbreaker. Bag the hulls for disposal or unfold them as mulch in areas away from paths to keep away from slips. Additionally, clear the mower deck afterward as hulls can go away a residue that sticks. Gather in small batches to keep away from overload. The mower handles the powerful outer layers with out dulling blades a lot.
Winter Garden Mower & Garden Necessities
Winter isn’t any time to be resting in your laurels, as there are nonetheless methods to maintain your garden mower and assist your garden get by the chillier instances. Ensure you’ve checked and cleaned gear earlier than placing it in storage, and provides turf a deal with forward of spring.

Mower Safety
Mo Deck
Mo-Deck Garden Mower Common Spray for Garden Mowers
It is essential to guard mower blades and the mower deck for the following few months. This aerosol helps you stop rust and cease grass clippings from sticking. Apply to the underside of the mower deck, blades, cables, and all shifting steel elements to forestall corrosion in a moist shed or storage.

Higher Cleansing
Harrison Greys
Harrison Greys Heavy Responsibility Scrubbing Brush, Stiff Bristle Scraper and Outside Cleansing Instrument
Use this stiff bristle brush and scraper with a gentle cleansing agent to scrub the deck and cooling fins. This set will not scratch the paintwork and supplies straightforward cleansing of the beneath of the mower deck, whereas the bristles are simply the correct quantity of stiffness for eradicating cussed clippings, residual mud and lingering residue.

Garden Boosting
BioXtreme
Bioxtreme Liquid Seaweed Premium Focus, All Pure Kelp Fertilizer
Seaweed is a beautiful addition to a garden forward of brutal seasonal climate and ensures higher winter resilience. Simply don’t use it if the bottom is waterlogged or frozen. In any other case, it may possibly assist grass combat stress in chilly, moist months. Dilute with water and sprinkle over lawns for a protected, slow-release enhance.
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