reuben
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Gonna need more Camels at the next refugio...
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Post by reuben on Apr 24, 2024 8:00:01 GMT -8
One of my neighbors just stopped by. "I see you have a problem, wondered if you need any help." ?? <gestures to grass which has been partially mowed, once, last year, since I moved here last October> "Oh, no, it's fine. I kinda like it, actually. I have all sorts of yellow, white, purple, blue, and other little wildflowers and things popping up, plus a variety of grasses. I've got some chickweed and thistle, too, which I'm not happy about, but that's the way it goes." He laughed, and we talked for a while. I told him that I do indeed have a lawn mower, but I'm kinda letting Mother Nature take over to a large degree. I also told him about my plans for a wild meadow. He seemed pretty excited about it. He's retired, somewhat bored, and friendly. Looking for something to do, trying to be helpful. Can't ask for much more than that. I really am diggin' it. Little miniature fields of wildness. Varied. Heterogeneous, not homogeneous. Makes me smile a little bit just walking to the pole barn. "I wonder what those tiny little blue flowers are? I would never have seen them if I mowed this area."
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sarbar
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After being here since 2001...I couldn't say goodbye yet!
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Post by sarbar on Apr 24, 2024 8:07:47 GMT -8
I did that at our last place - start a revolution in the old HOA. I made it to President before we moved. I removed the requirement you needed to water your lawn in summer (people were having to pay $300 to 600 a MONTH on water) - I made my point by painting my lawn with lawn paint. I had a bright green strip of lawn that was almost neon. It was hilarious. I encouraged people to use native plants in the front, and to remove lawn and do rocks, etc. The backyard was an urban farmlet.
I have found the easiest way to get people to come over to your side is three things: Water - the waste of it in drought years. Pollinators - Those poor, poor bees you thoughtless jerks! High use of chemicals - what about the children and dogs, you thoughtless jerks!
Follow me for more winning tips on how to make your neighbors fall in line ;-) Hehehehe
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reuben
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Post by reuben on Apr 24, 2024 8:19:57 GMT -8
No HOA here, or HIA, either. I forget which is the good one and which is the bad one, but I've been a member of the good one at a past residence.
One of my neighbors has a lot of birdhouses around his garden. Bluebirds, finches, etc. The neighbors seem to like that. I think they'll like the bees and whatnot after the wild meadow (hopefully) attracts them along with other insects, birds, rabbits, etc. A couple of neighbors have good sized gardens, bigger than I'll have. One sells blackberries to a local cafe.
I need to build the vegetable garden (deer, as always, wherever I go, ugh), rig up the box blade on the tractor and start creating the little meadows. Almost finished interior painting. Solar panels in late summer. At least I don't have groundhogs here. Hopefully.
Not following anyone, not trying to make my neighbors fall in line.
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Travis
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WYOMING NATIVE
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Post by Travis on Apr 25, 2024 2:28:49 GMT -8
My house is in sagebrush steppe. Runoff from the roof keeps grass growing next to the house, where there is sufficient water. I mow that grass. Outside that grass is a sort of transition zone that I'm allowing to revert to native plants. I also mow that to keep the fire potential down.
Outward from those bands of grass and transition is the full complement of native grasses, sagebrush, rabbit bush, prickly pear and so on in all their glory. I'd rather let nature do the gardening. I have plenty of other things to do.
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reuben
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Post by reuben on Apr 25, 2024 3:27:17 GMT -8
Have you seen the lawns that have the perfect crosshatch pattern? I recently found out that they're made by an accessory that you can buy and attach to your mower. I thought they were just a side effect of certain mowers. I had no idea that you had to pay extra for them.
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Post by marmotstew on Apr 25, 2024 5:39:46 GMT -8
Speaking of mowing, I’m gonna mow down all the squirrels in my neighborhood!!
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Travis
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WYOMING NATIVE
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Post by Travis on Apr 25, 2024 6:05:08 GMT -8
I've seen a few lawns where the mower left a pattern in the route it took. Even in what little lawn I have, the route of the mower leaves traces. But I still use a push mower for everything I mow and I probably follow a slightly different route each time. And my "lawn" is too dappled with little hills, weeds, and native plants.
I'd like to see the attachment on the mower that is used to create the patterns.
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ErnieW
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I want to backpack
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Post by ErnieW on Apr 25, 2024 7:34:28 GMT -8
I'd like to see the attachment on the mower that is used to create the patterns. Google striping kit. It's basically a roller that flattens the grass in one direction. Grass folded toward you is dark. Grass folded away is lighter. Oh, and some mowers do have this built in so some it is an intended side effect. My munching mower doesn't have a roller but the back skirt does sort of comb the grass leaving a slight striping right after I am done.
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sarbar
Trail Wise!
After being here since 2001...I couldn't say goodbye yet!
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Post by sarbar on Apr 25, 2024 11:05:41 GMT -8
I mow with a Kuboata tractor, with a behind mower. Mostly to mow the weeds on the septic field. Nearly everything else is for growing food or is still forest. Works for me. I grow food maybe 2 acres of our land.
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Post by Sleeping Bag Man! on Apr 25, 2024 11:14:54 GMT -8
Speaking of mowing, I’m gonna mow down all the squirrels in my neighborhood!! That's it... I've armed all the squirrels in your neighborhood with tanks. Let's see how tough you & ErnieW are, picking on something that can fight back!
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Post by marmotstew on Apr 25, 2024 12:19:38 GMT -8
Pffft…the stupid squirrels would probably chew their tanks apart like they do to my garbage cans.
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Post by Sleeping Bag Man! on Apr 25, 2024 13:42:41 GMT -8
Pffft…the stupid squirrels would probably chew their tanks apart like they do to my garbage cans. You still haven’t figured out how to keep them out of your garbage can, without resorting to murder? I mean…the squirrels are beating you, without having to murder. I think you’re jealous of their fluffy-tailed adorableness and their superior intellect.
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ErnieW
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I want to backpack
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Post by ErnieW on Apr 25, 2024 17:00:31 GMT -8
I think someone in my neighborhood went to holy war with the squirrels. I haven't really seen them around for months.
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Post by Sleeping Bag Man! on Apr 25, 2024 17:59:51 GMT -8
I see that Ernie was accepted squirrel as his lord and personal savior...
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Post by Lamebeaver on Apr 26, 2024 7:19:03 GMT -8
Locally, they're encouraging "no-mow May" so the bees have something to feed on.
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