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Renting for the Lawn

September 27th, 2013 at 04:31 pm

I'm amused at my husband. He has mowed the lawn three times this year, been in charge of watering about the same amount. He has also sprayed for weeds and fertilized. Today he is aerating our lawn in preparation for putting down grass seed (Aerating is important in places where there is clay soil generally). He knows what a lawn needs, but actually doesn't have much time to spend on it. I'm just happy if it stays green during the spring and summer and it gets mowed. I don't even mind doing the mowing. He seems to be the one to be all the expense in to the yard, but not as much of the effort. Not sure if that makes sense, but it does amuse me! We actually let our back lawn go dormant this summer because of the lack of rain and my desire to NOT to spend money on water. He didn't seem to mind.

The aerator is $55 to rent for four hours. It should just take him an hour or so to do. After he's done with that we will run out to get grass seed and fertilizer. Another $40-$60, I'm guessing. I do like a nice looking lawn. I just don't always like the expense that goes with it. If there were some more neighbors home on a Friday morning, we might see if any of them want their lawn aerated and help cover/split the cost of the rental. No one else is home to ask, but at least we got the task of my husband's to do list! We also agree this is likely the only time we will aerate while we live at this home. It isn't something we do with much frequency.

Let's just say this is one of those tasks I just have to go with to keep the peace. Now if we were going into debt for the lawn that would be another story.

What kinds of equipment have you rented? Would you rather buy than rent, or hire out than rent? Do you aerate your lawn?

Posted in Spending | 5 Comments »

5 Responses to “Renting for the Lawn”

  1. Bob B. Says:
    September 27th, 2013 at 06:52 pm 1380307965
    1380307965

    We usually fertilize in the early spring, and mow as needed. Pretty low maintenance. I'll hopefully fertilize this fall, too, but fall can be pretty busy for me. No watering at all.

  2. carol b. Says:
    September 27th, 2013 at 07:21 pm 1380309698
    1380309698

    Hi,
    I am a strong proponent of aerating. We do it (get it done) almost every year. That and overseeding has really helped our lawn. We are on water restrictions and can't water. But this has really helped. It looks much better than it used to.

  3. LuckyRobin Says:
    September 27th, 2013 at 10:46 pm 1380322008
    1380322008

    Our rabbits eat the lawn and fertilize it, so no mowing necessary. The chickens aerate it! It's very green, healthy, and pretty, despite not having much rain this summer. Big Grin Big Grin Big Grin Big Grin I am going to scatter some clover seed into it now to increase the protein content for the rabbits now that the fall rains have begun. 10 pounds of clover seed was $3. The chickens will eat some and scratch in the rest. Easy and carefree, no rental necessary.

  4. PatientSaver Says:
    September 27th, 2013 at 11:39 pm 1380325185
    1380325185

    I never do anything to my lawn except mow it. It's green, that's what counts. Given a choice, I'd neither buy nor rent...I'd go in with neighbors and share landscaping and lawn equipment.

  5. Wino Says:
    September 28th, 2013 at 01:23 pm 1380374618
    1380374618

    I follow Randy Lemmon's schedule, which works in Houston. It's about $200 per year, but keeping the lawn looking nice keeps up the curb appeal. We have the mower set to maximum height, as well. We aerated this past Spring, and will probably do so again two years later. We don't aerate every year. It might be a bit of money, but I plan to make it back when (if) I sell the place. You can't get a good looking lawn in just one season, in Houston. It's at least a two to three year effort.

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