How to Cut Grass Without a Mower: 5 Creative Ideas
Wondering precisely how to cut grass without a mower? Turns out you may not need a lawnmower after all. There are various ways you can mow your lawn without one and still maintain healthy grass in the process. You may already have some of the tools. Here are 5 creative alternatives to consider.
If you have a lawn, it needs cutting regularly. But what if you don’t have a lawnmower? Or you do, and it’s out for repair? What then? I must warn you that some very odd ideas are on the internet. Some people seriously suggested using golf clubs to hack down the grass. Another idea that had me scratching my head was the recommendation to use hand scissors!! Can you imagine how long that would take? I’m not going to waste your time with absurd proposals like that!
Here are 5 practical solutions that will allow you to keep your grass looking good even when your trusted mower is in the shop. If you’re looking for something new and different, consider trying some of these alternatives the next time your grass needs trimming.
How To Cut Grass Without a Mower?
Need the answer in a hurry? Here are our five alternatives to lawnmowers
- Use a string trimmer
- Go old school with a scythe (it ‘s not as hard as you think)
- Pull out the garden shears for small patches of grass
- Try the hedge trimmer
- Invest in some livestock ( best for acreages and large lots)
A Word For Gardeners With Large Lawns
We need to be clear about one thing. If you have a large yard with a lot of grass, you’ll have difficulty cutting your lawn without the proper tools. The easiest and most effective way to mow a large lawn is with a lawnmower. They are designed for one purpose and easily, quickly, and thoroughly cut through the grass. They will even gather the grass clippings if you choose. At the end of the day, using a mower is by far the best option for properties with an extensive lawn.
However, finding an alternative may be a good option if you only have a small yard or a few small patches of grass on your property. It could help you live a little greener and save money, plus it’s a great way to get some exercise. Here are some ways of maintaining a neat, healthy lawn without an electric or push mower.
1.Cutting Grass With a String Trimmer
String trimmers are the best alternative to lawnmowers for people with small lawns. They are generally used for trimming areas that lawnmowers can’t reach, but there is no reason they can’t be used to cut the entire lawn. String trimmers are also a great optionfor an overgrown lawn full of long grass that a mower can’t handle.
Lawnmowers come with built-in levelers and cutting height adjustments that make it easy to get a level cut. A string trimmer does not have that function built in, so you may end up with an uneven cut. Still, with practice, you can get a nice, even cut. It is the best alternative to a lawnmower.
Check out our buyer’s guide for the best lightweight string trimmers.
How to cut a lawn with a string trimmer
Your lawn should be completely dry before cutting to ensure the best results. The grass needs to dry out if it has rained, as does the morning dew. Using the string trimmer on wet grass can result in uneven results.
Wear protective clothing, such as safety glasses, long pants and sleeves, gloves, and closed-toe shoes. You will also need ear protection if using a gas-powered model. The trimming strings of the machine spin at high speed, pick up loose bits of debris and eject them at great speed. Protect your eyes and exposed areas of your body to avoid injury.
If you have an electric trimmer, check that your extension cord is long enough to reach your whole lawn. A better option is a cordless, battery-powered trimmer that lets you move around the lawn quickly.
Before you start, check the lawn for rocks, sticks, garbage, or other small bits the strings may pick up and throw.
This video will show you how to cut grass with a string trimmer
Lawnmowers come with built-in levelers and height adjustments that make it easy to get a level cut. A string trimmer does not have that function built-in, so you may end up with an uneven cut. Still, with practice, you can get a nice even cut . It is probably the best alternative to a lawnmower.
2. Using a Scythe
In the absence of a trimmer, a scythe is another relatively easy way to effectively cut grass. While many do not have this lying around, it is inexpensive to buy and easy to use once you know how. This option takes more time and effort, but it works well.
A scythe is a sharp, double-sided blade mounted on a long handle. The blade is usually curved and has a handle of around four feet in length. You’ll need to make sure your large metal blade stays razor-sharp. Dull blades result in ragged and uneven cuts. A smooth, even swing is required to ensure the grass blades are cut evenly, and this takes a lot of practice.
When used correctly, a scythe actually requires less strength than you think. Thighs and butt muscles provide power, while the arms and shoulders guide its path.
Only the tip of the blade should touch the grass at the start of the swing. By the mid-way point, the whole length of the scythe will be cutting through. Walk in a straight line rotating from the waist. Pull the scythe with you so it moves in a continuous arc across the front of your body.
This video shows you the basic movements.
You may also use a scythe to cut down taller weeds or grass, which are difficult to mow with a standard mower.
Of course, you need to ensure that children and pets are well out of your way before starting to cut. The blades are very sharp.
3. Use Shears For Smaller Patches of Grass
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Shears are essentially giant scissors that you hold in both hands. Long-handled shears are available, but you’ll typically need to sit on the ground or get down on all fours to cut the lawn with the shorter-handled kind. Hold the blades parallel to the lawn and cut firmly. Move the shears slowly across your grass, cutting small areas of grass at a time.
Cutting your grass with shears is a tedious process that takes patience. Be careful not to twist or pull the shears as you cut. You will end up with an uneven cut or uprooted grass clumps. Wear gardening gloves and knee pads to make the process as pain-free as possible.
Shears are very accurate and give a nice finish, but they are not the easiest option. We don’t recommend using this method if you have a large lawn. Still, it would work for small patches of grass in your yard.
Finding this post helpful? See all our lawn care articles.
4. Hedge Trimmer
Hedge trimmers look somewhat like chainsaws and are often used to clear large areas of bushes and shrubbery.
However, with a bit of patience, it can double as a grass cutter. This will require practice since it is difficult to cut the area you want precisely. Keep the machine parallel to the ground as you sweep across the grass. You’ll need to bend relatively low when the grass is short to make sure the blade actually contacts the grass. Otherwise, you may end up with a jagged cut.
Remember that hedge trimmers are designed to trim hedges, not lawns. Yes, they work in a pinch, but you may find it hard to achieve a polished look. We recommend using them if your lawnmower dies and you have no other options.
Hedge-trimming tools are powerful and have the potential to cause severe injury or damage. Pay attention to what you are doing and watch out for pets and children.
Hedge trimming tools are very powerful and have the potential to cause severe injury or damage. Pay attention to what you are doing and watch out for pets and children.
5. Using livestock
Wait! What? Bear with me for a few moments. We are not talking about large animals like horses or cows, but smaller animals like goats or sheep. The idea is to let them roam around your yard and eat the grass.
Of course, there is a lot more to it than that. But first, let’s look at a few studies. The Utah State University published a report about using sheep and goats to control noxious weeds. In Europe, some cities use livestock as an alternative to lawnmowers. You can even rent a few of these animals in many places to clear your yard.
Most of our options for cutting grass without a mower are suitable for small yards only. This is an option for homeowners in rural areas with a large amount of land they do not want to mow. The livestock will control the growth of grass and noxious weeds. You will need to do a lot of research before you buy. Being a caretaker comes with lots of responsibilities. You must know how to look after the animals and keep them healthy.
What animals work best?
Goats can eat a lot of vegetation in a day. They are natural browsers and will eat anything. Remember, they can’t distinguish between an unwanted weed and your prize rose. They will eat it all. For this reason, use goats to keep down grass in orchards and large acreages.
Sheep are natural grazers that graze on clover, alfalfa, and grass. Their lack of top front teeth allows them to feed on vegetation close to the ground without accidentally pulling up plant roots or damaging the land. Sheep usually graze on just the grass. Still, it is a good way of keeping the grass down on larger lots.
Only use chickens if you want to clear a patch of land of every living plant. They will decimate your grass. It could be handy if you have a weedy patch with a lot of quack grass that you want to clear without chemicals.
Most of our options for cutting grass without a mower are suitable for small yards only. This is an option for anyone with a large amount of land that they do not want to mow. The livestock will control the growth of grass and noxious weeds. You will need to do a lot of research before you buy. Being a caretaker comes with lots of responsibility. You must know how to look after the animals and keep them healthy.
What animals work best?
Goats can eat a lot of vegetation in a day. They are natural browsers and will eat anything. Remember, they can’t distinguish between an unwanted weed and your prize rose. They will eat it all. For this reason, use goats to keep down grass in orchards and large acreages.
Sheep are natural grazers that graze on clover, alfalfa, and grass. Their lack of top front teeth allows them to feed on vegetation close to the ground without accidentally pulling up plant roots or damaging the land. Sheep usually graze on just the grass, still it is a good way of keeping grass down on larger lots.
Do not use chickens unless you want to clear a patch of land of every single living plant. They will decimate your grass. It could be handy if you have a weedy patch with a lot of quack grass that you want to clear without chemicals.
Why Not Ditch the Grass Altogether?
If you want to avoid buying a lawnmower and none of the alternate suggestions appeal, why not remove the grass altogether? We decided to go grass-free a few years back and love it. I do not miss lawn mowing at all. We replaced most of the grass with cobbled walkways and extra flower beds. Now we only have a small lawn that takes a few minutes to mow. There are all kinds of ground covers that look very attractive in the right place. None of them need mowing. Here are 10 no-mow alternatives to grass
it is a work in progress, but here is a peek into our no-grass backyard
How to Cut Grass Without a Mower FAQ’s
When dealing with long grass, please resist the urge to cut it right down at the first pass. It is crucial to only cut 1/3 of the blade height. Cutting more will stress our grass and leave it susceptible to disease and insect infestation.
The best tools for cutting tall grass are a weed eater or scythe. These tools give you a lot of control and prevent you from cutting too close to the ground. Give your grass 3-5 days to recover, then take off a little more until you reach the height you want. It is time-consuming, but your grass needs you to take it slow.
Why Do People Choose to Go Ditch Their Mower?
We researched and read what people had to say about this question. Here are the main reasons why people ditch their lawnmowers.
- Environmental concerns: They are looking to reduce their carbon footprint.
- Mowing takes too much time; homeowners are happier getting rid of the lawn and replacing it with low-maintenance ground covers.
- They have such a small pocket of grass that a mower isn’t necessary.
- A lawn mower is outside their budget at the moment.
- Their lawnmower is unwieldy and hard to start.
Can you cut grass with scissors?
Yes, you can, but only by spending a lot of time on your hands and knees. It would be a very tedious and time-consuming process. Use scissors for cutting grass in tight spaces when nothing else will reach it. The blades of scissors are so short; they can only cut a tiny fraction of grass at once.
Are you a gardener looking for simple ways to cut grass without an electric or power mower? In this post, we’ve given some advice on what types of tools you can use. You may already have some of them! We hope these suggestions have helped you develop a solution that works best for the size of your lawn and the terrain of your yard. Thanks so much for reading our blog post today. Please share it with other gardeners.