Alternatives to the mow and blow

RE “Battle Hymn of the Suburbs” [Jan. 19]: My neighborhood is assaulted by the “mow-and-blow” teams that come to cut and shape lawns in to perfect rectangular patches of emerald to yellow-green. On some days we have as many as three different crews working on our street.

I too was one of those suburbanites who needed my lawn to be trimmed razor-straight at sidewalk’s edge, every other week, until two years ago.

Knowing that gas-powered mowers were a factor in not only noise pollution, but also air pollution, I searched online and found a wonderful alternative. Peoplepoweredmachines.com offers a German-engineered cordless electric reel mower by Brill, which is reasonably priced, quiet, lightweight and has sufficient battery life.

Now, I mow my own lawn, burn calories and chat with neighbors whom I normally wouldn’t see if I weren’t out doing my own yard work.

ESTHER MCLEMORE

Lakewood

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IT is one of the ironies of modern life that the most environmentally friendly method of cutting grass -- the manual reel mower -- is also the most economical and the best for the health of the lawn.

The time it takes to mow the lawn with a manual mower is about the same as with a motorized reel mower.

The greatest side benefit of the lack of noise is that it invites neighbors and passers-by to pause for a conversation. Mowing my lawn on Saturdays has become one of the happiest hours of my week.

JEFFREY WILSON

Inglewood

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I still use an old “unmotorized push job” reel mower; it’s good and quiet, except for that “comforting click.” And it even gives me good exercise!

Years ago I bought a gas-powered machine that I despised immediately, especially when it started spewing not only grass but the good earth. The air around me and that machine made it hard to breathe.

I never used it again. Going back to my old mower was a joy!

BARBARA KOWALSKI

Alhambra