Green Industry Yellow Pages

Lawn care, though not an exclusive to the male gender as more and more women mow these days, is subject to an unwritten gentleman’s code. Adherence to the simple etiquette of lawn care, practiced civil neighbors for generations, will help to ensure you and your new neighbors coexist peacefully, leaving any bickering or unfriendly banter to lawn-less discussions. Here are the highpoints to you help fit in without a fuss from driveway to driveway.

1. Mind the Time of Day Lawnmowers are far from silent devices. Though mowing in the morning is actually better for your lawn and may help to beat the heat in the hot summer months, try to keep your lawnmower running at a reasonable time in the morning. Note that 4 a.m to 6 a.m. is only considered morning by a certain type of person and me an inconvenience for neighbors who value their sleep and would contend de facto “morning hours” don’t officially start until at least 6, likely 7. Also, if your neighbor is entertaining guests outside, find a different time to mow, as you do not want to drown out their good time with the sound of your engine. Most likely your lawn care schedule is more flexible than their previously coordinated social schedule.
2. Clean Your Mess Particularly when mowing areas that border property lines, don’t leave your grassy scraps all over a neighbor’s driveway or sidewalk. Sure, grass may be biodegradable, but stray clippings may shoot out at high rates depending on your mower make and model. Leaving it there for the rain or your neighbor to clean up is poor form.
3. Keep Open Lines of Communication When getting to know your neighbors, lawn care can be an interesting, informative and, in the long run, relationship easing talking point. Certain idiosyncrasies may be unique to your living situation. One neighbor might want you to go ahead and mow across your side of the property line to a natural stopping point, in order to keep an aesthetically pleasant consistency. Other neighbors, however, may think they are the only ones who can give their lawn the care and attention it deserves, thus would prefer you stop short at the border.

With those fundamentals in place, lawns should be able to grow side by side without breeding seeds of contempt beneath the surface soil. As long as 3 is in place, everything else seems to fall into place. An open line of communication can help circumvent other potential issues that living in close proximity can cause, not to mention lead to a helping hand when you are out of town and can’t care for your lawn. Get to know your neighbors, live harmoniously, and work together to keep your lawns and passer-by cars green with envy.