Experts reveal best tools, tips for healthiest lawns

When the topic is lawns and lawn mowers, many questions arise. Do you want electric or even a manual mower because they are quieter and more environmentally friendly than the traditional gas-powered ones? How often should you sharpen your blade? How should you handle weeds? Do you have a good enough excuse to tell your spouse you need a riding mower?

We garnered answers from several sources in the industry: Kim Carlson, earthsmartconsumer.org; consumerreports.org (subscription needed); Lars Hundley, president of an online retailer called cleanairgardening.com; yardcare.com, a Toro site; the lawn & garden section of Sears.com; and David R. Mellor, a spokesman for Sears Craftsman lawn mowers and tractors who is also director of grounds for the Boston Red Sox.

What determines the type mower you buy? The size of the lawn, how many "obstacles" it has, such as trees and planters and whether it is flat or hilly. The major manufacturers and retailers post tools on their Web site to help you decide.

Who should use a manual mower? Only folks with small lawns who want to exercise while doing yard work, says Carlson. Hundley says he sells a mower that weighs only 17 pounds - a fraction of the one you pushed as a kid - starting at about $160. He recommends them for lots up to one-third acre. He doesn't pick up his clippings but they disappear quickly. And he says the blades cut like scissors rather than hitting the cutter bar, so you might have to sharpen them once a decade.

Electric: These work on the same size lots as manual mowers, says Hundley. If you have a cord, it has to reach from the power source to the mower across the whole lawn. And if you use a cordless or battery version, it will only hold the charge for about 45 minutes. He sells corded ones for about $200 and cordless for around $400.

The cut: If your grass is 2 or 21/2 inches tall rather than 11/2 inches, it will need less water, said Carlson. Mellor thinks you should leave it even taller: up to 31/2 inches.

Mulching mowers: Most mulching mowers have just one blade but the grass stays under the deck and gets cut multiple times. If you cut frequently enough you don't need a mulching mower, said Mellor, but he wants you to leave the clippings on the yard to provide nutrients.

Mower blade: Sharpening is really important, said Mike Ferrara, a spokesman for Toro. He recommends buying a new blade every year when you have the old one sharpened; then you always have a spare available. A blade can only be sharpened two or three times, said Ferrara, but new ones only cost $20.

Riding: If you have a half-acre or more you might want to ride while you mow. Choices include zero-turning mowers, riding mowers and lawn or garden tractors, according to the Toro site, yardcare.com.

Zero turning mowers: These are what lawn lovers covet these days. They allow you to get very close to flower beds, and they move quickly, says yardcare.com. However, they cost around $3,000 and up.

Others: Riding mowers work for one-half to one acre, but cannot handle many attachments. Lawn tractors are a move up for larger lawns, rougher terrain and more attachments. Garden tractors are what you want if your chores include tilling a large garden and hauling heavy loads.

Weeds: Corn gluten is the organic choice praised by both Carlson and Hundley. This corn byproduct is spread across the lawn in the spring and fall to inhibit weed seed germination. By the third season your grass should look better than ever. Hand-spray individual weeds that do pop up. Hundley sells a spray made of citric acid, cinnamon and clove oil.

Fertilizer: Organic ones usually are made from fish parts. Mellor says if you use synthetic fertilizer choose a slow-release type. Always follow the directions and don't use too much of any kind, he said.

Test your soil: You need to know what nutrients your soil needs and also what type soil it is so you can figure out how much water to use, said Mellor.

Time of day: If you mow when it's cooler - early morning or evening - you will be more comfortable and any emissions your machine gives off will be less likely to create smog since the sunlight will be at a minimum.

Height of grass: Grass in the Midwest should never be cut shorter than 21/2 or 31/2 inches, said Mellor, who says do not cut more than one-third of the grass blade at a time. That means you have to mow more frequently.

Water: OK. This one might be tricky. Mellor wants you to water between 2 and 7 a.m. And if you don't have an automatic irrigation system, he says you can buy a timer to put on your spigot. He also recommends a rain train, made by L.R. Nelson. This is a traveling sprinkler that helps you get the whole lawn watered. If you water in the evening you could encourage disease, and if you water during the day the water evaporates. And most people urge you to water enough to encourage your roots to grow deep.

Resources: Mellor has written two books. "Picture Perfect: Mowing Techniques for Lawns, Landscapes, and Sports" (John Wiley & Sons, $55) tells how to mow cute symbols or patterns into your yard.

-Deborah Donovan