Cutting Grass Without Using a Lawn Mower

Maintaining a well-groomed lawn doesn’t always require a lawn mower. Whether you’re looking to reduce environmental impact, save on equipment costs, or simply try a more traditional approach, there are several effective methods to cut grass without relying on a lawn mower.

Why Consider Alternatives to Lawn Mowers?

Mowing lawns with traditional machines can be noisy, costly, and environmentally taxing. Gas-powered mowers contribute to air and noise pollution, while electric mowers require battery maintenance or cords that may not suit every yard. Additionally, some people prefer a more hands-on approach for small spaces or want to promote biodiversity by reducing mowing frequency. Exploring alternatives allows homeowners to save time, reduce costs, and create wildlife-friendly gardens.

Environmental and Cost Benefits

Most people don’t go outside of the ordinary when it comes to lawn care. In fact, most homes that have lawns also have a lawn mower. This is not the only option! Although some of the ways to cut grass without a lawn mower are outdated, there are many options that are effective. If you decide to use something other than a mower to cut your grass, enjoy the opportunity to do something that is rarely done by anyone else. It can be fun to choose alternative methods to lawn care, but just remember that these options are typically less-efficient.

Addressing Common Concerns

The idea of cutting grass without a lawn mower might seem daunting, especially for those worried about time, physical effort, or achieving a neat appearance. However, many alternative methods are surprisingly manageable, particularly for smaller yards. By choosing the right tools and techniques, you can maintain a healthy lawn while addressing concerns like uneven cuts, physical strain, or local regulations about lawn appearance.

Manual Tools for Cutting Grass

For those willing to put in some physical effort, manual tools offer a low-cost, eco-friendly way to cut grass. These tools are ideal for small lawns or areas where precision is needed. Below, we explore three popular options: scythes, shears, and sickles.

Using a Scythe

This tool has a long handle with a curved blade, and you may have seen this in the hands of the character of the Grim Reaper. The blade must be very sharp in order for it to cut grass. A person holds on to the handles and swipes at the grass with a smooth, curving motion. It takes some time to master the use of the scythe, but it is an effective method of clearing tall grass from a field or lawn. Pro tip: A scythe works more efficiently if the grass is a bit moist. So, you can cut it after it rains or early in the morning when the dew adds moisture to it. A scythe can be a helpful tool, even if you prefer using a mower. You see, tall grass will often cause your mower to clog up, slowing the cutting process. That’s where a scythe comes in handy. A few calculated swoops are all it takes to get rid of that grass. As you might have guessed, using scythes takes quite a bit of effort, making it an excellent tool if you’re looking to stay in shape. Scythes aren’t that safe. You’re basically dealing with long swords here, and they can cause gruesome injuries if you use them recklessly.

Using Shears

If you have some time to kill, shears may be an option for mowing, but only if you have a small yard. Shears are sort of like big scissors, but even with longer blades, it will still take time. Hedge clippers will work fine. One of these if you don’t mind it looking kinda shitty. Otherwise some long loppers, those are my under 50 bucks solutions without hunting locally on Craigslist or the like for a push mower. Corded hedge trimmers are usually between $1-5 at yard sales or $20 brand new. I’ve tried exactly what you’re thinking with manual hedge clippers and it sucks.

Using a Sickle

Manually cutting areas of grass and other tall vegetation might sound labor-intensive, but when you get the hang of it, in smaller gardens it may not take much more time than mowing. In larger areas, cutting by hand will likely be impractical. A sickle, similar to a scythe but smaller and more maneuverable, is another traditional tool for cutting grass. It’s particularly useful for precision work or in tight spaces where a scythe might be unwieldy. Like scythes, sickles require a sharp blade and some practice to use effectively, but they can produce clean cuts and are ideal for small patches of grass.

String Trimmers as a Modern Alternative

For those who prefer a powered option without the bulk of a lawn mower, string trimmers offer a versatile solution. These tools are lightweight, easy to store, and effective for various lawn sizes.

Benefits and Techniques of String Trimmers

A string trimmer is an ideal mower alternative because it works with a similar mechanism. Some people even have both. Is the trimmer efficient, though? So, the lawnmower’s biggest disadvantage is its demanding storage requirements. But you don’t have to worry about that with electric trimmers. They are relatively thin and tall, making them easier to store than lawnmowers. The best part? Most modern string trimmers have a cordless, battery-powered version for easier handling. Even if you have one with an electric drop cord, it can still offer a more comfortable experience than a lawnmower. The key is to buy an extension cord long enough to cover your yard. It’s a simple solution, but it makes all the difference. The area a string trimmer covers with each swipe isn’t nearly as large as that of a lawnmower, so it’ll take longer to get the job done. The second is that your grass clippings will fly everywhere. A mower bag is a hassle to clean, but at least all the grass goes into one place. When you use a trimmer, however, it kicks the grass everywhere, resulting in a lengthier cleanup.

No-Mow and Low-Mow Lawn Strategies

For those looking to reduce or eliminate the need for cutting grass, no-mow or low-mow lawn strategies can transform your yard into a low-maintenance, wildlife-friendly space. These approaches often involve rethinking the traditional lawn and embracing native plants or alternative ground covers.

No-Mow May and Its Benefits

Lawns cover 40 million acres, or 2%, of land in the US. “No Mow May” is a catchy name for a movement that aims far beyond not mowing the yard for a month. If there are flowers in your lawn, mowing every two or three weeks instead of weekly can increase flower blooms and provide more food hungry, newly emerged native bees. But the best way to help native pollinators is to plant native plants, provide natural nesting sites, avoid pesticides, and spread the word. Though no organization officially oversees No Mow May, many Bee City USA and Bee Campus USA affiliates choose to participate. And while not mowing in May isn’t right for everyone or every region, the campaign can be a good tool for getting new people involved in pollinator conservation. Not mowing for a few weeks is a simple step to take, but it is only one step and more is needed to transform our neighborhoods. Can you mow less all year or add flower species to your grass? There are several studies that illustrate how reducing the frequency of mowing benefits bees, as well as butterflies, grasshoppers, and many other insects. In central Kentucky, 26 species of bees were recorded visiting dandelion and white clover in urban and suburban lawns. Researchers in Massachusetts found 93 species of bees visiting lawn flowers, with the greatest diversity and abundance on lawns mowed every two or three weeks.

Planting Native Species and Ground Covers

One of the best things you can do for wildlife is replace turf grass with a variety of native plant species. Native plants have formed symbiotic relationships with native wildlife over thousands of years, meaning that many wildlife species cannot survive without them. By replacing your lawn with native plants, you enter into a community of cutting-edge gardeners who are on the front lines of fighting the biodiversity crisis. Remove turfgrasses to create new garden beds of native species. Admittedly, one of the toughest parts of reducing your lawn will be the actual removal of turf grass. The method you use will be a personal choice. Manually digging up grass can be physically demanding, but will allow you to very effectively remove grass down to the root. You can even rent a sod cutter to make the process easier! Another option is to smother grass by covering it with a tarp or other material after thoroughly wetting it.

Grazing Animals for Natural Lawn Management

In rural or larger suburban settings, grazing animals can serve as a natural alternative to mowing, keeping grass at a manageable height while enhancing soil health and biodiversity.

Using Livestock for Grass Control

In larger areas, cutting by hand will likely be impractical. If you have a larger garden in a rural or even suburban setting, you might be able to enlist the help of others—but not just humans. Livestock have been used for hundreds of years, not just for other purposes but to manage human environments. Even in domestic gardens, keeping smaller livestock might be an option. “Tractoring” chickens or other small livestock in movable coops or pens down living pathways or grass/meadow rows between beds is one interesting option to consider for their ongoing management without the need for frequent mowing (though hand-cutting grass and other vegetation with a sickle or scythe is also an option where keeping livestock is not possible). In orchards and forest gardens, creating good ground cover can often be key. With or without the integration of livestock, there are several solutions which can help you manage grass growth for the establishment of a healthy, biodiverse ecosystem.

Tips for Effective Grass Cutting Without a Mower

Regardless of the method you choose, certain practices can enhance the effectiveness of cutting grass without a lawn mower. These tips ensure a neat appearance, minimize effort, and promote lawn health.

Best Practices for Manual Cutting

When mowing long grass with a hover mower, cut narrower strips so the blade doesn’t get clogged up with cut grass. Avoid excessively close mowing – this can weaken the grass plants, encouraging shallow rooting and making the lawn more susceptible to drought damage, weeds, and moss. Close-mown lawns also need more frequent maintenance and feeding. Hold it by its horizontal handles parallel to the ground to get the most even and consistent results. When mowing, the goal is to have evenly gone across every part of the lawn. Mowing can be quite a physical job.

Timing and Frequency

Mow your lawn between 8:00 am and 10:00 am on a dry day. Mid-morning is the best time to mow because it gives the dew a chance to evaporate, and the grass won’t be limp after midday heat. Limp grass bends under the mower blades instead of being cut, leaving you with an uneven lawn. Wet grass clogs your mower, causes fungal diseases, and leaves behind clumps of wet grass that kill your lawn. Plus, wet soil is softer and harder to mow. Checking the weather forecast and planning to mow before rain or after your lawn dries out reduces clumping, lawn damage, and heat stress on the grass (and you). Mowing wet soil may also pull out your lawn by the roots, leaving dead or patchy areas.

Creating a Low-Maintenance Lawn

For those who want to minimize lawn maintenance altogether, transforming your yard into a no-mow or low-mow lawn can be a game-changer. These lawns require less frequent cutting and often incorporate native plants or ground covers that thrive with minimal care.

Designing a No-Mow Lawn

Hate mowing your lawn? Plant a no-mow lawn and reduce that chore to once or twice a year while conserving water and creating an inviting, lush lawn. Some people look forward to lawn mowing as an opportunity to get exercise and spend time in nature. Other people dread it, and for them, no mow grass sounds like a dream come true. Unfortunately, there’s no type of grass that never needs mowing (except artificial turf), but no mow grass comes close. It thrives with one — maybe two — mowings a year. It’s a native grass that uses less water and grows in mounds. No mow grass is a blend of hard fescue and fine fescues designed to create a lush green lawn that is essentially weed-free once the grass matures. Fescue is a cool-season grass that thrives in sun but can tolerate partial shade, and it grows in most parts of the United States except in the hot, sunny climate in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 8 through 10 (basically the South and Southwest).