#mowing

Plowing Mowing Hay

I’ve been waiting a long, long time to do this again. Mowing the grass is awesome and if you have a classic 1952 Ford 8n Tractor, it’s even MORE awesome! As a fixer-upper guy, I have various levels of lawnmowers. I use a push mower up around the house. I use a riding mower in the smaller sections of my property. Then I get to break out the big guns with my big tractor and shredder…

This morning was gray and overcast once again, but not deep and dark. It remained that way throughout the remainder of the day, but with a high reaching 70 degrees, the afternoon felt quite mild. The overnight low was 48.

My blood sugar jumped up to 188 at today’s glucose level check, a bit of a jump from the last few days. Sometimes the day’s food works out, some days not so much.

After finishing our coffee and playing the usual brain games for the day, Nancy did a yoga session, and I updated my Flickr account and other social media.

Then we had oatmeal for breakfast, followed by showering and getting dressed.

While we were getting dressed, Kathleen and Ronin showed up to mow the back yard. While she waited for the mower battery to charge, Kathleen came in to have some oatmeal for her breakfast.

When she went back to finish the yard, I took the car to Scooter’s Car Wash, and once it ran through the wash, I vacuumed out the front and back floors. Before returning home, I went for a blended mocha from Native Coffee on 42nd Street.

Not long after I returned, Ronin and his brother Sawyer delivered the first two wooden garden beds they built for us to our back yard.

Before Nancy took off with Grace for her 4:30 p.m. vet appointment, I started out for my afternoon walk. I arrived home just moments before they did, having completed 2.64 miles in a little more than 57 minutes, a total of 6,200 steps.

We walked over to see Sophie and bumped into Kathleen and Ronin just coming back from a walk with her in a stroller. Kyle and Seran were out shopping for a new truck. Then we were invited to join them all for a dinner of hot dogs and hamburgers. Ronin came back over to get a bag of charcoal out of our shed.

We took sliced cheese and potato chips over to Kathleen’s for our contribution to dinner. Kyle and Seran arrived a short while later, having found and bought a new truck. It won’t be ready to pick up until next Monday.

After dinner and visiting with everyone, Nancy and I came home just about 8 p.m. We immediately kicked off our streaming entertainment with the next episode of “Silent Witness.” It will be another week before we can see the second half of the story, since we’re not willing to shell out any extra bucks for an upgraded membership to BritBox.

The slight chance of rain that had been showing up on the forecast for Saturday finally disappeared this afternoon. Tomorrow will be another gray and overcast day, but the high might make it over 70 degrees again, rising from a lot tonight of 49.

If the weather does remain decent in the morning, Nancy and I will head over to the Eugene Saturday Market for the first time since it re-opened at the beginning of April. Nancy wants to visit the booth run by the Rooted Remedies owner, since the business no longer runs a storefront. Other than that, there is nothing on our schedule for the second day of May.

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On this day in 1866, the Memphis Race Riots began, resulting in the deaths of 46 blacks and two whites. Reports of the atrocities influenced passage of the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

May 1, 1852, was the birth date of Calamity Jane, the American frontierswoman, professional scout, sharpshooter and storyteller. Born Martha Jane Canary, she was known for being an acquaintance of Wild Bill Hickok. She was also known for her habit of wearing men's attire.

Maintaining a lush, green lawn all year round starts with a clear and practical plan. A healthy backyard doesn’t happen by chance—it’s the result of consistent care and balanced techniques applied across every season. By focusing on the essentials like mowing, watering, fertilization, and soil care, you can keep your lawn vibrant whether you’re dealing with cool-season or warm-season grasses. The goal is to create a lawn that remains strong and resilient through heat, cold, and changing rainfall conditions without overcomplicating the process.

This guide is designed to be simple, actionable, and easy to follow. Instead of overwhelming you with complex methods, it brings together the core lawn care practices you can apply week by week and season by season. From setting the right mowing height to understanding how and when to water, each step is aimed at improving the long-term health of your lawn. A truly green, year-round lawn relies on proper mowing habits, deep but infrequent watering, balanced fertilization, and maintaining healthy soil through aeration and overseeding—all while keeping weeds under control without relying heavily on chemicals.

A great place to begin is with a soil test to understand your lawn’s pH level and nutrient needs. This baseline helps you make informed decisions about fertilization and amendments. When mowing, avoid cutting more than one-third of the grass blade at a time to prevent stress. During hot months, watering early in the morning improves efficiency and reduces evaporation significantly. A smart fertilization plan—such as a light feeding in spring followed by a slower, steady application in autumn—keeps your lawn nourished without causing damage. Regular mower blade checks, spot weed treatments, and occasional aeration further support a strong and healthy lawn.

Your mowing routine plays a major role in how your lawn looks and grows. Different grass types require different mowing heights, so it’s important to identify whether you have cool-season grasses like fescue or warm-season varieties like Bermuda. Adjusting the mowing height based on the season helps maintain density and prevents patchiness. In summer, slightly taller grass helps shade the soil and retain moisture, while sharp mower blades ensure clean cuts that reduce the risk of disease and browning.

Watering is another critical factor that directly affects root strength and drought resistance. Instead of watering frequently, it’s better to water deeply once or twice a week so moisture reaches deeper soil layers. This encourages roots to grow downward, making your lawn more resilient during dry periods. Early morning watering is ideal, as it reduces evaporation and allows the grass to dry during the day, minimizing disease risks. The key is to maintain consistent moisture without overwatering or letting the soil dry out completely.

Fertilization should be approached with a seasonal strategy to promote balanced growth. In spring, a slow-release fertilizer helps your lawn recover and grow strong. During summer, lighter applications maintain color without overstimulating growth in the heat. Autumn is the most important feeding period, as nutrients like potassium strengthen the lawn for cooler weather and future growth. Understanding the role of nutrients—nitrogen for growth, phosphorus for roots, and potassium for resilience—helps you apply the right balance without overfeeding.

Aeration and overseeding are powerful techniques to refresh your lawn and improve its overall health. Aeration relieves soil compaction, allowing air, water, and nutrients to reach the roots more effectively. Overseeding fills in thin or patchy areas, creating a thicker, more uniform lawn. Timing is important—cool-season grasses benefit most from early fall or spring treatments, while warm-season lawns respond better in late spring or early summer. Proper preparation and consistent watering after seeding ensure successful growth.

Weed control doesn’t always require harsh chemicals. A thick, healthy lawn naturally prevents many weeds from taking hold. Maintaining proper mowing height, watering consistently, and improving soil health all contribute to weed prevention. When weeds do appear, targeted treatments using low-toxicity or organic solutions are more effective and environmentally friendly than blanket applications.

Healthy soil is the foundation of any great lawn. Regular soil testing helps you understand what your lawn needs, from pH adjustments to nutrient levels. Adding organic matter like compost improves soil structure, drainage, and microbial activity, which all support stronger root systems. If your soil is too acidic or alkaline, gradual amendments can bring it back to an optimal range, allowing your grass to absorb nutrients more efficiently.

Seasonal planning ties everything together and ensures your lawn stays in top condition throughout the year. In summer, focus on watering and heat protection. Autumn is ideal for recovery, fertilization, and preparing for future growth. Winter care involves protecting dormant grass and getting ready for spring. By adjusting your routine with each season, you create a lawn care cycle that supports continuous health and growth.