Neighbor doesn't mow frequently enough

jcummins · Jul 18, 2017

I've mowed it for him couple of years. Last year just didn't want me too. Think he feels he's leaning on me. I don't feel that way at all. So last year no mowing.

He took a stab at it, got hurt in a batwing mishap. His son is mowing now. Here what he's dealing with in some areas.

cqaigy2 · Jul 18, 2017

Holy cow, that looks like bamboo :laughing:

oosik · Jul 18, 2017

Wow. That looks like MY meadow. I let it go and now its like that pic and I've got nothing that can touch it. We just had more rain this year than ever seen in the 35 years I've been here. I've got a BIG weed whacker - Stihl FS350 - and its too much for me and the Stihl. My dam field grass is taller than I am.

Mine would be a good test for a bush hog. Actually, a Fecon forrest mulcher would be more in order.

bcp · Jul 18, 2017

Nature used to take care of that by using thousands of buffalo.

Bruce

smstonypoint · Jul 18, 2017

cqaigy2 said:
Holy cow, that looks like bamboo :laughing:

It's hard to tell from the photo, but I would guess some type of wild cane. Is the area bottom land?

Steve

CalG · Jul 18, 2017

Why does the area need mown?

Some sort of housing development planned?

txdon · Jul 18, 2017

He's a regular fire hazard after the first frost.

jcummins · Jul 18, 2017

It's a water grass of some kind. Got several spots around like that. Mow regular and it cuts it back dome.

Needs mowing to better the grass. To much of the wrong stuff growing there.

RickB · Jul 19, 2017

Maybe you should give consideration to the fact that it's his grass, not yours. if you don't like the way it looks, buy him out.

jcummins · Jul 19, 2017

RickB said:
Maybe you should give consideration to the fact that it's his grass, not yours. if you don't like the way it looks, buy him out.

He wants it mowed. Just stubborn in doing it hisself, and it's just to much for him to do. He's the kind of person who hates asking someone to do something for him. I live here, he lives 40 minutes or so from here, and use to own the house I have now. I mowed some areas for him....without him even knowing or asking....he followed with big big thank yous, but beyond him to ask. We are good friends. Up until this year, I had to hook on to his mower, and hesitated doing that without asking. Now I have a batwing, and I will mow onto him some without him asking, in fact already have but there is a lot to mow.

Thomas · Jul 19, 2017

That's some heavy mowing...dang.

2LaneCruzer · Jul 19, 2017

Fence it and turn the hogs in on it.

TractorGuy · Jul 19, 2017

Would that be suitable for hay? Maybe get someone in the area to hay it on a regular basis in exchange for the hay?

jcummins · Jul 19, 2017

No, not at all. If it was mowed regular it would become that way though. If I had his pastures it's exactly what I'd do.

ericm979 · Jul 19, 2017

Ask him if you can mow it but frame it so you're asking him for a favor. That way he doesn't lose face by accepting help.

YardBikeBob · Jul 25, 2017

Mow a ring around it and burn it?

TomSeller · Jul 25, 2017

Is that reed canary grass?

jcummins · Jul 26, 2017

After googling since I wasn't familiar with that name, I'd say yes. It's a grass that grows in more of a wet land area throughout this area.

Slowpoke Slim · Jul 26, 2017

Wow. Will your mower even touch that now? You say he got hurt in a "batwing incident"? How hurt, and is his mower now down? If I thought I had a mower that could handle it, I think I'd just go mow it and not even mention it to him. He's your friend, and now sounds like he's hurt. Sounds like "favor time". If your mower can't handle it, how much can you rent a flail mower for in your area? Don't know how much ground you need to mow, but maybe a weekend flail rental can take it all down?

If he's already hurt, and his son is trying to mow now, sounds like a recipe for another injury. If it was my friend/neighbor (mine is both to me too), I'd just mow it already, and act surprised when he finds out, telling him "I though you mowed it?"

STx · Jul 26, 2017

jcummins said:
No, not at all. If it was mowed regular it would become that way though. If I had his pastures it's exactly what I'd do.

Since you have a good relationship with him, why don't you tell him you'd like to turn it into a hayfield and bale it? That solves 2 problems, his pride stays in tact as he isn't asking for help but, instead doing you a favor and you get to keep the field at a height you'd like to.