what's the best way to cut down TALL grass?

Question

knock down your overgrown yard when it's to much for the lawnmower to handle? i don't want to hire anybody or rent equipment.

Answer 1

Use a weedwhacker or borrow a goat.

Answer 2

I understand your frugality... but how BIG a yard are you looking to attack, and how BADLY overgrown is the yard? You may be STUCK hiring, renting, or buying a new yard-toy.

My brother lives on a 25 acre ranch in the California Sierra foothills, and we suffer from this problem ALL THE TIME !! And up there at this time of year it wouldn't be just an aesthetic issue, but a FIRE hazard.

During the winter / spring months we actually use all three of the recommended methods:

1) We have two gas-powered weed-whackers for the fence lines and the edge of the road... we use this to do trimming in the summer, because the nylon line won't start a fire if it strikes a rock.

2) We set the riding mower to it's highest setting (about 4 inches) for the first pass on Saturday morning, and then re mow at 2 inches Saturday evening. AND if the grass is VERY thick, we go VERY slow... slower than walking speed.

3) This last winter, he finally bought 6 goats... WOW those little critters do WONDERS... they nibble right on down to the stubble !! They'll also clear out undergrowth... and here in California, they're pretty simple to RENT.

A weed-whacker is a reasonable purchase, and well worth it over the years

Answer 3

You have gotten good advice with the weed trimmer. When I bought my current house, by the time it closed (seller's side), the grass was waist-high, no small issue. We used the weed trimmer, square foot by square foot, not rapid but it worked. At the time, I didn't know the wonders of composting so the cut grass went to yard debris recycling. Now, I'd use it in the compost bin (or rather pile with the quantity we had). There is just no easy way to do this if you don't want to rent equipment that can cut and bag it. Depending on the size of the area, you might want to reconsider and check with rental places and see what is available. With a weed trimmer, it would be prudent to not work more than half-hour blocks (or even 15-minute) so as to not significantly reduce the life of the trimmer (burn out the motor) by overheating it.

For just overgrown grass (not really tall), I have done as another suggested and set my lawnmower at the highest setting and moved forward slowly so as not to overburden the lawnmower motor. In fact, when I let it get too tall, I would only mow forward about three feet and then back up so the blades had plenty of opportunity to clear for the next bit.

Answer 4

In order to keep the grass healthy, and from going into shock, its a good idea not to cut more then 1/3 of the height when you mow. As to the TALL grass, I am assuming its more the 12 inches high, First weed eat to a height about 6 inches. Rake up all the trimmings and water the grass. This will help prevent shock. Set your mower to the highest setting. I would start with your first pass about 1/3 the width of the mower and see how that goes. If that is to much try 1/4 the width of the mower. Make sure you have a nice sharp blade on the mower also.

Answer 5

Firebugarts is right on. The idea is to cut the grass off at the base rather than chopping it up. A possibility is to rent a sickle-type mower similar to those used to cut hay. Also, rental stores will have self-propelled walk behind weed wackers. These will allow you to cut the grass at the base and lay it over and then pick it up. A final alternative would be to raise your current mower to the highest level and mow. Wait a day or two for it to dry and then drop a level and mow again. By doing it in stages, you may be able to handle it with your current equipment. Otherwise, rent, rent rent!

Answer 6

How To Mow Tall Grass

Answer 7

How To Cut Long Grass

Answer 8

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
what's the best way to cut down TALL grass?
knock down your overgrown yard when it's to much for the lawnmower to handle? i don't want to hire anybody or rent equipment.

Answer 9

Use a hand held weed-whacker to cut the grass down to a manageable level. Rake that up, and then use your lawnmower.

Answer 10

before i came i was gonna say weed wacker trim then cut