Blowing your lawn trimmings onto the road

[Robert_in_NY]

I blow the first two passes back into the yard for a different reason then the clippings on the shoulder of the road. I do it so I don't accidentally shoot a stone or a stick at or into a passing car.

 

[sawdust_maker]

Good post. Now that you bring it up, I can see where grass clippings could be bad for motorcyclists in particular.

I try to blow mine back in the yard just because it looks better.

I've always directed mine back onto the lawn because it just makes common sense. Why not let them break down into the lawn to help minimize the amount of fertilizer you might need otherwise?

Or collect the clippings to use as compost, then improving your garden that way?

John

 

[Stargazer]

A few years ago had a guy round the corner at old house about midnite and hit the power pole. Yes the street was completely covered in acorns about 2" thick. Still think the 1/2 case of beer didn't help much. Got away B4 cops got here.

 

[LBrown59]

What a terrible outcome for that guy!1* I have about 350' of grass frontage along a gravel road, and when I mow it's always away from the road just to be neat about it. Never thought about the safety considerations until now.
I do see a lot of grass cuttings on all the roads around here--better be more cautious about driving through them.
2* Another problem is the people who mow right along the pavement blindly trusting that anyone pasing by will see them in time and move over. I've seen some close calls there too. Mike.

1*I only have 110' .
2*I have about 6 inches of slag between my grass and the St.Highway pavement.
This helps 2 ways.
1-Allows me to mow all the yard clear over to the road without getting on the pavement .
2*Greatly reduces clippings on the pavement even tho I mow with the mower chute facing totard the road.

 

[LBrown59]

I always cut to blow it back to the lawn and if some gets on the road
1*I go over it and the MMM will dispose of it for me. 3*Never thought it could be illegal or trouble
5*Of course drivers on our road think it is perfectly fine to toss garbage to our ditch..

1*To dangerous to get out on the road with a tractor or riding mower here.
Puts me right in a blind spot of traffic popping over a hill at 60 MPH or better .
3*I ain't seen nothing saying it was.
5*I get Ya I ain't sposta get a blade of grass on yer little old road but it's ok fer ya to use my front yard fer a land fill

 

[LBrown59]

A few years ago had a guy round the corner at old house about midnite and hit the power pole. Yes the street was completely covered in acorns about 2" thick. Still think the 1/2 case of beer didn't help much. Got away B4 cops got here.

Something sounds corney about this story to me.

 

[RobertN]

Missed the point. He didn't throw beer/soda cans out; OTHER people did that.

On the point of the thread, it is one thing to blow things out on the road while mowing; sometimes it is hard not too. To leave a mess, though, especially if it is a lot of material, is the issue.

The other issue, is the mow and blow folks that just blow stuff out in the streets. That is wrong and unprofessional. It is quick and easy, but not right.

If you make a mess, clean it up. Especially if you make a big mess.

1 - it makes your property look nicer as a whole
2 - It is pride in ownership
3 - It is a courtesy to others who use the road.
4 - Do your best. Ya, I'm a Scout leader... Is your best to leave a mess on the road?

I mean, honestly, if you have just a few dry clippings, it probably will blow to the side anyways before you even get off the mower. If you have more than that, then tidy up.

5*I get Ya I ain't sposta get a blade of grass on yer little old road but it's ok fer ya to use my front yard fer a land fill

 

[RobertN]

Right. You never know what you'll hit.

30 years ago, my Dad was mowing our front yard(suburban lot). My Uncle and I were sitting on the porch. All of the sudden, we hear a whistle and a WHACK!

Don't know where it came from, but the mower blade picked up and threw a dart board kind of dart. We figure it went less than 2" over my uncles head. Buried in to the front door.

We have no idea where that dart came from; we did not have darts. But it wound up there in the lawn, near the curb. And then buried in our front door.

Another consideration, on top of just grass that may end up on the road.

I blow the first two passes back into the yard for a different reason then the clippings on the shoulder of the road. I do it so I don't accidentally shoot a stone or a stick at or into a passing car.

 

[Dargo]

If you make a mess, clean it up. Especially if you make a big mess.

1 - it makes your property look nicer as a whole
2 - It is pride in ownership
3 - It is a courtesy to others who use the road.
4 - Do your best. Ya, I'm a Scout leader... Is your best to leave a mess on the road?

I mean, honestly, if you have just a few dry clippings, it probably will blow to the side anyways before you even get off the mower. If you have more than that, then tidy up.

I didn't see the posts because I now have someone on my "ignore list", but you made a nice tidy summary of what has been on our local news since this terrible accident caused by what is now being called "gross negligence" by a homeowner. Every personal injury attorney within a hundred miles are salivating to get this case. Pretty well as RobertN summed up, a little common sense goes a long way. I have to assume the laws and potentially extremely stiff penalties are in place because of the extremely severe penalties that can be suffered by innocent people due to a few who just plain don't give a hoot and figure once something has been moved from their yard to the roadway, it is no longer their problem.

The officer interviewed was even asked if his department has seen an increase in calls about this type of violation and safety hazard since the accident. His answer was a simple "No.". I think that demonstrates that most people adhere to what RobertN described and it's a non-issue.

 

[brin]

I agree with you..when the countie comes by to mow the right of ways here grass clippings get on the road and when I mow the right of way in between the county coming I mow facing oncoming traffic and if someone is coming I stop until they have passed. Personally I think this is much to do about nothing...Hey, we are talking grass clippings here unless someone is cutting 3 foot tall grass and dumping that into the street and completely covering it , I just don't see a problem. As with everything you just have to be careful to watch on coming traffic and stop when a car passes, but in rural areas ...sorry I don't see a problem but then I am a just a country boy. LOL