When do you start mowing? (Portland: renter, house, job market)

[doggiemama]

We are in the market for a lawn mower and I'm wondering what our deadline is. Mid-March or so?

[hamellr]

As soon as the soil is firm enough in my yard to run a mower over it.

[SETabor]

I generally don't mow until it's drier out. It helps to have a 2 to 3 day span of no precipitation that happens to fall on the weekend otherwise the grass just gets all stuck to the blade and undercarriage. Mid-March might be pushing it although my lawn is looking shaggy. I generally start some time in April but not regularly until May. This year has been so warm though, that March might be a decent time.

[12MILBID]

Believe me once the grass satrts to grow seemsyou will have to mow it every other day....a teemager with a lawn mower can make some good bux in the spring!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Wardb1]

It's better to ask when you can quit mowing

[Squidlo]

Its really all about timing. I used to literally leave work mid day to rush home to mow after a day and 1/2 dry window. I had a guy who would mow for me but he always trashed something on my lawn somewhere. I vowed to "do it myself" from there on out. Plan on mowing at least weekly more often if it has been sunny, warm and moist.

Few side notes: (and probably too much info)

Plant less grass less to mow.

Summer time is rough on a lawn in Portland with out watering. A lot of people simply let the lawn go dormant in summer.

A healthy lawn recovers well with the first rains of fall. Keep it fed and keep the pests/weeds at bay and its pretty easy to have a nice bit of grass most of the year.

Mulching mowers work great if you keep up on the mowing. If you let it get long plan on bagging/composting.

if you own a home or are an ambitious renter you can pack a lot of great plantings in around the house from herbs to flowers and even veggies without much effort.

Lavender, Rosemary & St Johns Wort thrive without much care on the sunny side (south face) Just work the soil in with composted material and mulch it in the fall. In shady spots ferns will grow like weeds if the soil gets enough water from rain.

(I miss my Rhodys)

Wrap the yard based on sun exposure. It is fun planning out the plantings in that way.

I have a great St Augustine grass lawn here in Houston now. I am planning and planting again = ).

[doggiemama]

Cool, thank you, Squidlo! I feel lucky that I planted my lavender in back (south facing). It doesn't look very good right now so I hope it perks back up soon. We have some nice ferns that I LOVE. I've never seen our Rhody bloom so I'm super excited about that!

I grew up in Houston metro by the way. Are you there permanently?

[Squidlo]

@Doggiemamma

I will be here for awhile at least. I miss the PNW. I don't miss the job market. I am in Kingwood right now (up 59 aways). It is very nice here lots of trees and and green spaces. I am 1 to 3 years from making any kind of move.

(A job opportunity in the right area could change that.)

[doggiemama]

Squidlo, I grew up in Kingwood! We were one of the first families to build a house there and I graduated from Kingwood High. I have friends there still. It is a beautiful spot.

I know what you mean about the job thing--I've been here since June and still looking. Been turned down more times in the last 6 months than ever in my life...ego-bruising.

[Skippy Weaselpants]

I start mowing right after my wife asks me when I intend to start mowing.