Do I need a tractor?

[Gary Fowler]

Large moat filled with hungry crocodiles might keep most of the deer out, or a 12 foot fence completely around the property.

 

[k0ua]

As for the deer, well we have a little thing around here called "deer season" in this state we kill them by the thousands each fall/winter, in fact 311,304 in my state last season. It does thin them out to an extent, but they get busy, doing what deer do, being fun filled playful creatures and all, and there is always a new crop of them.

 

[farmgirl19]

I don't have a heck of a lot of lawn now, but I have land, to keep people back, out of my face. I don't want to look at a house outside of my front door. I look at the trees, the deer, the birds. I don't want to hear the kids bouncing the basketball, or the sirens. If I wanted those things, I would still live in town. Been there, done that. The last house I had, we had a 7 acre "lawn", I actually enjoyed mowing it. It looked like a park. There is nothing "wrong" with the way you all live in Europe, but there is nothing "wrong" with the way we live and think over here either.

James K0UA

This is a lot of the reason that many have large lawns. I don't want to hear the neighbors, just because I am in the backyard. I grew up in a rural setting, and am more comfortable like that. I also have room outdoors, that I can entertain, with a live band, etc. It might not happen often, but the oprion is there, and if I do, it won't disturb any neighbors that might not want to join the party.

I also have livestock, as well as being an avid vegetable gardener, so am always wanting more space to continue expanding. I don't have the big house, nor would I want it, but having space outdoors and away from everytihg except nature, puts my soul at peace.

 

[TripleR]

Ah, I see. A status symbol - "I can afford to buy my food I do not have to grow it". Thanks. I will stick to being a peasant though, it has saved me needing to make money in the past and I will continue that way. And when the lights go out..............

I remember a well reasoned post you submitted on not judging other countries, motives, needs etc., what happened?

I don't have the interest in or feel the need to explain or justify my or others' way of living or land use.

 

[arlen4720]

I still wonder why all you people over there insist on having so much lawn. Nobody has ever answered that question,

Because we can.

People in the US are of a different culture to most of the rest of the world.

Thank God For That

where country people intentionally take food producing land out of production to create an area of grass that it seems nobody ever makes an economical use of. .

Yet we still produce more food than anyone else.

I ask yet again, why do you do it? I am genuinely interested in the reasoning of people who do so, because it is alien to everywhere I have lived.

Because we can

This is not an attack on any individual, but can be assumed to be an attack on a system

It wouldn't matter too much either way, I don't really care what the rest of the world thinks about what I do with the land we have worked hard for. In fact, it kind of pleases me that you are annoyed.

I am genuinely interested in the reasoning of people who do so, because it is alien to everywhere I have lived.

Because we can

I have to go mow my 7 acre lawn now with my 2 diesel lawn mowers, then drive around the rest of my 220 acres, and thank God I don't live in any of those other places that you speak of.

 

[newbury]

How does a lawn get rid of mosquitos and ticks. That interests me too. I also want to get rid of deer. Any thoughts?

They don't "get rid of them" but they don't allow them to flourish.
With a maintained lawn there is no breeding ground for mosquitoes and they have to fly farther to get a meal.
Plus if you are in Louisiana or Alaska a lawn provides line of sight so you can see the mosquitoes coming and shoot them with a shotgun

Ticks are interesting. They generally are only a problem in late spring and summer.
CDC - Tick Life Cycle and Hosts - Ticks. Short grass gives benefits.

Within the lawn, most of the ticks
(82%) are located within 3 yards of the lawn perimeter
particularly along woodlands, stonewalls, or ornamental
plantings.

http://www.ct.gov/caes/lib/caes/documents/special_features/tickhandbook.pdf

Having twice been diagnosed for Lyme disease I don't like ticks.

 

[gunmonkeyintl]

How does a lawn get rid of mosquitos and ticks. That interests me too. I also want to get rid of deer. Any thoughts?

Both ticks and mosquitos require moisture and shelter. While a lawn will provide both, it is not nearly as good for their needs as tall, brushy grass or woods are. All things being equal with a lawn and a field of the same topography, the taller grass of the field holds the moisture longer, and provides better shelter. The tall grass of a field further benefits ticks by giving them a place to perch up higher and wait to hitch a ride on a passing host. If you want a one-two punch against the ticks and mosquitos, let some chickens range on your lawn - they'll pretty much disappear from that area.

 

[cardiologist]

Another dumb question, why would having chickens eliminate ticks? Do they eat them?

 

[k0ua]

Another dumb question, why would having chickens eliminate ticks? Do they eat them?

Rumor has it they eat ticks, but I have heard Guinea fowl are more effective at eating ticks. Here are some other ideas. Personally I don't care much for the birds.

Remove leaf litter.
Clear tall grasses and brush around homes and at the edge of lawns.
Place a 3-ft wide barrier of wood chips or gravel between lawns and wooded areas to restrict tick migration into recreational areas.
Mow the lawn frequently.
Stack wood neatly and in a dry area (discourages rodents).
Keep playground equipment, decks, and patios away from yard edges and trees.
Discourage unwelcome animals (such as deer, raccoons, and stray dogs) from entering your yard by constructing fences.
Remove old furniture, mattresses, or trash from the yard that may give ticks a place to hide.

 

[cardiologist]

Ok back to tractors....
Anyone ever run a generator off your tractor? Is it practical? How big of s generator can you run?