Homeowners either hire a lawn service or take on the task themselves. If you’re considering doing so, it’s important to know how to properly mow your own lawn and avoid damaging plants or causing harm to yourself as well.
Mowing your lawn at 7am is the best time to do it. It’s a great way to get your yard clean and fresh for the day, as well as giving you more time to enjoy yourself.
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These days, no one has a lot of free time. It’s gotten to the point where people’s to-do lists have to-do lists attached to them. As a result, it’s quite tempting to do a few DIY and home projects in the wee hours of the morning or late at night.
No issue if you’re darning socks. However, there is certain decorum to be followed when it comes to the grass.
Mowing should be limited to 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on holidays and weekends, according to general lawn mowing etiquette. Respect property lines by bagging clippings or placing them in a restricted compost to prevent them from blowing over to a neighbor.
Few people nowadays cut their lawns using a motor-free push mower. Unfortunately, this makes lawn mowing rather loud, and doing it at the improper times may result in a violation of your local noise restrictions. But there’s more to consider if you want to be a nice neighbor.
What Are the Best Times to Mow Your Lawn?
Your local rules and regulations will determine when you may legally mow your grass. These guidelines will also apply to other loud DIY projects and activities, such as chainsaws, power saws, karaoke machines, and the jumping castle’s engine.
For example, in Atlanta, Georgia, you are prohibited from using a blower, engine, or equipment from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays, and from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on holidays and weekends. Leaf blowers, industrial fans, and air compressors are examples of this.
What the law states, however, is not the same as what is deemed courteous. There is no legislation requiring individuals to say “thank you” when they receive a gift.
Those who take without giving gratitude, on the other hand, are deemed disrespectful. To be neighborly, never mow before 9 a.m., and keep it after 10 a.m. on holidays and weekends.
Lawn Mowing Etiquette Among Neighbors
Having decent manners, unfortunately (or maybe luckily), necessitates thinking beyond acceptable times to mow. When it comes to yard and garden etiquette, there is a lot more that should be observed.
Maintain Lawns at Proper Lengths
Regardless of local rules and restrictions, it is courteous to maintain a lawn at a decent length. However, certain homeowner associations (HOAs) have regulations, and sadly, just because you live in the United States doesn’t mean you’re immune from them. Some cities and towns, such as Logan, have its own set of regulations.
Even landscaping is subject to strict regulations in certain locations. Natural lawns, which are mainly native grasses and flowers, are permitted in certain locations.
Lawns of this sort are usually excluded from ordinary requirements. Many localities, such as Pittsfield, Michigan, do, however, need a permission, and height limitations still apply.
Ambiance Of Lawn Mowing And Spoiling
It’s not pleasant to start the riding lawn mower during your neighbor’s picnic, as Southern Living says. This is particularly true if a post-funeral tea is being held by the neighbors. It’s also not a good idea to go to any other special function, even if you weren’t invited.
This “don’t ruin the atmosphere” rule also applies to any other loud DIY project or anything that emits an unpleasant odor outside. The golden-anniversary party of your next-door neighbor is not the moment to apply seaweed fertilizer to the grass or work manure into the vegetable beds.
Property Lines and Lawn Mowing
It is critical to just mow your grass when you mow it. Unless you have formal permission, do not mow beyond your property line.
If your 90-year-old neighbors, for example, accepted your offer to trim their grass, then bless you, wonderful person, and go ahead.
You cannot, however, mow down your next-door neighbors’ natural grass if they have a permission (see examples here and here). Trespassing is prohibited even if the person does not have a permission. Instead, you’ll have to go via the right procedures, such as your homeowners’ organization or the local council.
Spraying weeds must also adhere to property lines. You should not, for example, spray your neighbor’s natural grass simply because it seems to have weeds. Even if your neighbors’ weeds are weeds, you should not spray them.
If your neighbor’s weeds are in violation of a local invasive plant ordinance, you must alert the appropriate authorities. The Colorado Department of Agriculture, for example, collaborates with local governments and has a Noxious Weed Act that you may read.
Finally, shooting grass cuttings into another property is deemed disrespectful. Allowing your clippings, leaves, and other garden detritus to fly onto neighboring houses and the street is also frowned upon.
If composters are permissible in your region, it is advisable to bag any yard waste or place it in a controlled compost.
Etiquette for Composting
Composting is thought to be beneficial to the environment. There are even areas on the planet where the local government or municipality encourages it or collaborates with businesses to supply subsidized composters.
However, in certain regions, composting requires a licence. This website may assist people in the United States.
However, no matter where you reside, you must adhere to the local compost requirements. There are strict laws in certain regions. Some of this is done to keep rodents out.
General Neighborly Etiquette for Composting
- There is no food in open compost piles.
Plant waste should only be placed in open composts (those without a cover). This excludes plant-based items like vegetables and fruit. Raccoons, monkeys, bears, coyotes, squirrels, mongooses, badgers, and other bigger creatures will be attracted.
Grass clippings, leaves, chopped branches, and hedge debris are often used in open composts. Food and pet waste should not be composted in an open pile. Also, check to see whether having an open composter is allowed in your location.
- Open Composts Within A Fence Or A Wall
The contents of an open compost heap should not be able to blow onto neighboring homes or into the road. To keep your compost from wandering into undesired regions, it should be caged or walled at a height higher than the heap.
- Place Compost Bins On A Slab
Container composts are available in a range of shapes and sizes. They should never, however, be put directly on the soil. Rats, mice, moles, and other determined animals will be able to tunnel in. Place the container on a concrete slab instead. Even if your container has a bottom, it’s a good idea to do it since things might shatter.
- Certain foods should not be composted.
There are certain foods that should not be composted. Meat, fish, eggs, dairy, bones, and fatty or greasy meals are among them. This will attract a larger number of vermin than usual. This might imply that creatures such as bears pay you a visit, depending on where you reside. Your neighbors will not appreciate it.
Property Lines, Trees, Vines, and Hedges
If a branch, vine, or other vegetation from another property drapes over your property, it’s courteous to attempt to speak to your neighbor first.
It’s impolite to grab the saw or clippers first. If they’re excellent neighbors, they’ll either agree, volunteer to repair it themselves (or pay for it), or attempt to work something out.
In most countries, you have the legal right to cut anything that extends to your side of the property if your neighbor is not friendly. Only the pieces on your side may be trimmed or cut. You are the one who has infringed their rights if you clip beyond, no matter how unattractive it is.
Be advised that in most parts of the United States, if a tree or plant is irreversibly hurt or killed as a result of your acts, you will be required to pay damages. If you refuse to pay, your neighbor has the authority to sue you in most cases.
The law in the United States is less clear when it comes to your neighbor’s tree causing damage to your property, including your house. The law must first determine who owns it.
If a portion of the tree is on your land, you are considered a co-owner and will not be reimbursed. A neighbor is also not responsible if an otherwise healthy tree falls owing to a “act of God.”
If your neighbor’s trees and vegetation are creating undesirable shadow on your property, you typically have little choice except to ask them to cut them. You may occasionally aid by agreeing to cover at least half of the expenses.
There will be laws in this area in certain municipal ordinances and homeowner associations, but not all.
On the other hand, it would be impolite not to negotiate a fair compromise if your tree and leaves are throwing an excessive quantity of shadow.
They are irrational if they persist on destroying the tree. However, if they offer to pay for a trim, it’s usually prudent to take them up on their offer.
If everything else fails, seek help from a legal practitioner.
Etiquette for Outdoor Lighting and Watering
Outdoor lighting is a lovely way to add atmosphere to your yard. It may also serve as a useful security feature for your home. When installing these amenities, however, keep your neighbors in mind.
- Do not direct light into a neighbor’s window.
Intruding and disrespectful is a light shining directly into a neighbor’s home. Sometimes the individual who is to blame is completely unaware of the issue. Before involving the homeowners association or local authorities, try to bring it up nicely first.
- When not in use, turn off the lights.
Consider going green and turning off lights when not in use. The garden’s atmosphere will not be appreciated by the local nightlife, and you will not enjoy it when you are not there. It also contributes to light pollution, so even if the light isn’t directly shining on your neighbors’ houses, it might detract from the nighttime view of the stars.
It’s reasonable if the lights are for safety reasons, but if practical, consider employing motion sensing lights.
- Less is more in this case.
With a little touch, you may produce a nicer ambiance. It’s not a good idea to make your yard lights seem like it’s daylight. Unless you live in and operate the local jail, even safety lights should be kept to a minimum.
- Maintain a sense of safety and prudence.
At a backyard party, paper bag lanterns may be magnificent. These lanterns, however, might cause a fire danger. If the weather is windy, there is a drought, or they are illegal in your region, don’t use them.
Also, consider your neighbors and local animals, even if sky lanterns are not prohibited in your region. Just because it’s gorgeous on the way up doesn’t guarantee the neighbors will like seeing the charred husks in the morning. They may also harm pets and animals, even if they don’t ignite a fire.
Etiquette for Watering
Depending on where you live, there may be few or no requirements for watering your lawn. There is, however, certain decorum to keep in mind.
For example, an automated sprinkler may be rather loud at times. You may not need to wait until 10 a.m., but 5 a.m. would be impolite.
Other Etiquette for Watering to Consider:
- Spraying your neighbor’s property is not a good idea.
Make every effort to keep the water on your side. Whether someone is trespassing over your property boundary, it is courteous to inquire if your neighbor minds. It isn’t always an issue. Other times, it’s spraying a bedroom window, which is a major issue.
- Use Only Your Water
Unfortunately, people aren’t always good at conserving water. Occasionally, the individual is attempting to conserve money. Due to drought limitations, one family may attempt to take water from another. Water shortage brings out people’s worst sides, and talking about it won’t always fix the problem.
It’s not enjoyable, and it’s un-neighborly, but buying a lock for your outside faucets is often the only way to deter your neighbor from taking your water. Various locks are available, including this wall mount lock and this flow security system.
Pets and Yards Etiquette
There are some wonderful neighbor-friendly fences out there that enable dogs and children to freely roam the backyard. However, just though you like your fur kid (and human children), it is disrespectful to presume that everyone would enjoy their presence.
Also, if your pet is urinating itself on a neighbor’s property, it is courteous to offer to clean it up and, if feasible, to prevent your pet from doing so again.
Finally, do not allow your pet’s trash to become someone else’s issue by throwing it over the fence. Ick.
Last Thoughts
Lawn mowing, yard, and garden etiquette should extend beyond the letter of the law. Make an effort to be kind and respectful. If good manners aren’t working to resolve a conflict, try talking about it first.
If all else fails, look into your local homeowner association’s and government’s policies. Finally, there are legal experts who may be contacted.
Lawn mowing is a chore that many people dread. However, with the right tools and etiquette, it can be done in record time. Here are some tips to make your lawn-mowing experience more enjoyable. Reference: how to mow a lawn with a riding mower.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you properly mow a lawn?
A: That is a difficult question, there are many ways to mow a lawn. My recommendation would be that you have your grass cut by professionals before it becomes too high and thick.
What should you not do when mowing?
A: You should not mow when youre tired, walking on uneven terrain or if the grass is wet.
What is a courtesy time to mow lawn?
A: A courtesy time is a period before the work commences where you can continue with other tasks such as eating, getting dressed or just having a cup of coffee. The standard length for this is 10 minutes but some people may have different lengths depending on their preference.
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