I dislike gardening, but do feel obliged to cut the grass regularly. I have about 800 square yards to do and find that the various lawnmowers I've purchased eover the years don't last for more than 18 months (winter season included) because: a) I don't clean or oil them, b) my garden is steeply terrassed and the handle-bases break through the plastic chassis after a while as I spend part of the time holding the lawnmower above the grouns because of the steep slopes. What's the best solution without breaking the bank and buying a cast-iron model? I've tried electric, diesel and Flymo models and need to buy one in the next month or so. Help!!

Colin, given how much you HAVE spent on past lawn mowers, wouldn't just spending that on a good quality one once cost you less in the long run?

I am sure there will be several excellant suggestions provided, but I thought I'd just state that.

Also, have you considered planting ground cover vegetation where you have minimal mowing to do? It doesn't sound like the area is used much for actual recreation. Low-lying planting and bed flowers might decrease your over-all work load.

Regardless of what kind of mower you get or how much it costs, it will have a short lifespan if you don't take care of it. Cleaning, oil, a new air filter, and a new plug yearly will make even a cheap mower last. (I've never seen one made of plastic, but I haven't bought one in about 15 years.)

Hi Colin,

Having read and given a few hours thought to your problem I have a few things to throw your way.

First I haven’t seen your yard and I am uncertain of the extent of the terraced area. I’m going to assume that it is a stair step area where each riser (up and down part) is stepped low enough for you to “walk” a mower down and each tread (horizontal area) is wide enough to run a mower.

I would suggest you think a ramp system from step to step, something that will allow you to roll the mower instead of walk the mower down and up the terrace. If the terrace is not wide enough for a mower then you need to approach it with a different solution or you need to consider rebuilding the terraced area to fit the lawn mowing experience.

That solution would be in the form of perennial garden using either evergreen shrubbery, like Junipers (which come in a wide variety of color and various mature sizes) or with a self spreading hardy ground cover like Periwinkle, mint, or an ivy – each of these listed grows compact enough to stem off the growth of native vegetation (weeds) and requires only watering in the form of maintenance. Further at the merge between lawn and where these grow the only tool needed to trim them back is the weekly mowing. Any nursery can direct you to ground covers that will grow well in your region – you can hire a landscaper to plant them it you want too – watering is still up to you.

Concrete is still an option, or brick, or gravel or any number of weed barring ground coverings. However be warned, these will be pricey and in most cases too much will reduce the resale value of your home. In the case of gravels you will have to occasionally spray a weed killer.

As for Lawn Mowers and yard tools: Today with the advent of suburban postage stamp sized lots tools like blowers, lawn mowers, hedge trimmers, weed whackers are designed with the small, flatish lawn/garden in mind. They are not designed for acreage or for “extreme” conditions like in your case a lot of terrace which requires the mower to be off of two of its wheels.

In my case having over 2 acres of lawn, garden and a long, long driveway I have to go for the more expensive “professional”’ grade power tools that are rated for higher running times or have more power and most importantly are gas powered since I’m not going to run several extension cords to blow the driveway. In the past 9 years I have had two mowers, the last lost its life in a tragic accident where somebody decided to mow over a tree stump. It had a Briggs and Stratton Engine, was under the Sears name and had lasted 12 years until that tragic day. The one we got to replace it is also Sears, Brigs and Stratton and has survived 3 years thus far.

In your case I would suggest that you talk with the salesperson and explain to them the layout of your land and what you have to do to mow it and either they will point you to a mower which (expensive it may be) will do the job and last a long time (if you keep it maintained) or they will point you to another tool which can do the job.

There are things like “Brush Mowers” designed with two wheel handling, meaning you can get an even cut out over a step these are especially useful if you live in an area were there is yearly brush removal, these are higher end tools, powerful and designed to function in ways that your suburban lawn mower is not meant to be used.

You may not like to garden, but I bet you like it less when the tools you are using breakdown.

Lawn mower care and maintenance is not a thing that you should over look – not only does it lead to buying more mowers than normal, but it can present a serious safety issue leading to any number of injuries. The manufacturer includes a book with the proper use and care of the machine you purchase, if you are not up to the maintenance side of the machine there are plenty of places you can take it to for bi yearly inspection and tuning (oil changes, blade changing, filter cleaning/replacement, etc). Home and Garden Centers is what to look under in the telephone directory. The cost will vary depending on the make and model of the mower you own, how readily parts can be had, etc.

Many thanks indeed for these replies and for the suggestions. Would that I too were a keen gardener! I deduce, Sherasi and Doriangreyed, that on my next visit to the lawnmower dealers I should plan to spend a bit more than the 200 dollars or so I've been paying in the past. And DvdGStwrt - thank you so much for your time and sound practical advice. My wife won't let me concrete the yard and we do enjoy eating out in the garden, barbecuing and so on in the summer months, so concrete or a gravel covering wouldn't really be a starter. I think I'll go for your idea of evergreen shrubs coupled with a rather more pricey lawnmower. But whether I can get down to all that cleaning will be a bit of a problem, though I'll try to improve my ways. (MUST DO BETTER MUST DO BETTER MUST DO BETTER). Cheers to all.

How expensive would it be in your area to simply hire someone to occassionally do the work for you?

You say you like to do things in your yard. Can you make that area easy to mow and care for, and plant up the other areas on hardy but attractive ground cover that requires little maintenance?

That way the person doing the work can do it quickly for little cost and you can have the best of both worlds (no work for yourself and an attractive area to hang out in the back yard).