Need advice on using mower on neighbors weedy yard

15 years ago

Because of illness, I recently mowed my neighbors yard - a yard thick with weeds. I was happy to mow it for her, but I would rather not use my mower again (hers was broken). I spent 30 minutes cleaning the mower of "weed goo" - slimy thick globs of weeds that I actually had to scrap out. And my neighbor on the other side has used my mower in the past - when his lawn was sod. Now it is solid weeds. (yes, I am continually battling weeds on each side of my yard!).

Question....how does one politely decline a neighbor's request to use your mower on their weedy lawn? I have spent several years getting my organic lawn in the condition it is (relatively weed free), and I don't want to potentially "contaminate" my yard with weed seeds. Any creative ways of getting out of this situation without offending (or lying)? I am very fortunate to have the neighbors I have. I just wish I could find a way to avoid using my mower - I would gladly mow any neighbors yard as long as I used their mower!

Or am I just being paranoid? (If I must say, my lawn is the best on the street - all because of organics!)

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Comments (6)

apundt-tx
15 years ago
this is a hard one....
say your mower is contaminated with brown patch and you don't want to spread it.
rosesr4me
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks apundt....that is a good one to consider! But considering the condition of their yards, they wouldn't care if I passed on any diseases - doubt they have even heard of brown patch!
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Kimmsr
15 years ago
As long as those "weeds" are not producing seeds there is no real problem, but you could tell them that you just do not loan your tools to anyone, providing that you do not loan your tools to anyone.
rosesr4me
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks kimmsr for replying. Unfortunately the weeds are producing seedheads and with our rain lately (florida), they are very, very healthy (especially the broadleafs)!
Kimmsr
15 years ago
Many plants produce seeds but unless those seeds are mature, ripe, they are not viable, they will not produce new growth simply because the seeds are there. Then again given all the seeds many plants do produce either not all ae viable or the conditions are not right form them to germinate or we would see far more "weeds" growing then we do.
dchall_san_antonio
15 years ago
You should only be worried about your lawn and the good repair of your equipment. If they are gentle on the equipment, AND THEY CLEAN IT UP AFTER USING IT, then the occasional loan would not be a problem. Maybe you could give the guy an early Christmas present and get his mower fixed for him.

If you have a St Augustine lawn, are watering infrequently, and are mowing at the mower's highest setting, you should not have a weed problem even if you are bringing in new weeds from their lawns.