Is it really worth it to mow the lawn yourself?

[eddiehaskell]

I have a self propelled Honda push mower - I simply walk fast behind it and it takes very little time to cut my nearly half acre lot. Heck, it's FUN for me to be out in sunshine - it also gives me time to chat with neighbors and look at my landscaping so I can tidy up anything that needs attention. As far as maintenance, I simply change the oil once per year (20 minutes), shake out the air filter and sharpen the blades. Sometimes I'll clean off grass from the bottom but that's usually only done every couple months. If I didn't have a yard, I'd probably ask to cut a family members lawn.

[HTY483]

Originally Posted by NOLA101

I don't know why, but maybe you're right that it's considered more "macho" or something to ride a tractor around the yard. Who knows, there are always regional differences.

It's got nothing to do with "machismo". In the midwest Gardening and keeping a nice lawn is a hobby that people enjoy doing. Everyone in my family has some type of vegetable growing their back yard. I never liked gardening myself but I did enjoy mowing and and the act of beautifying my yard and my home. It's a nice feeling to pull in to your driveway and see a neat and tidy lawn, flowers and bushes that are a result of your hard work. Having moved out west, I've noticed that the pride of keeping a nice home is not important. Here in the desert there really are very few lawns to speak of and the citrus trees pretty much take care of themselves. But I understand that having a low maintenance yard is why many people like living in the desert. It's just a different mind set.