At this time of year, when things are quietening down in the garden, the lawn mower can start looking a little surplus, angled awkwardly on the sides of yards, if not already gathering dust in the recesses of the shed. Wouldn’t it be good if you could think of some really useful lawn mower uses that could validate the existence of that hulking beast once the grass stops growing? In fact, there’s plenty you can still use your mower for, so don’t be too quick to drag it into storage.
Basic lawn mowing keeps the yard tidy, but off-season tasks can unlock its real potential. A lawnmower alternative for shredders or vacuums sits right there already. Sharpen the blades once, and it tackles tough jobs without skipping a beat. Run it over leaves or debris to chop everything fine and fast. The bagger catches the mess while the blades do the work. Use a lawnmower like this for quick cleanups that beat raking or shredding by hand. So prepare to get busy with your mower all over again, with these 9 unexpectedly brilliant ways to use yours – beyond simply cutting grass!
9 Great Lawn Mower Alternatives
The industrious moving parts and ferocious speeds of lawn mowing equipment are capable of repurposing all manner of important garden materials, as well as helping shape and delineate parts of the yard that may face neglect at quieter times of year. Even when not mowing your lawn, your lawn mower could be making light work of shredding and bulk-purposing, and in tandem with sturdy bags for collection, storage and distribution, it creates really useful time-savers around the garden.
These useful lawn mower alternatives include organic mulch production, soil and lawn improvement, debris shredding, and other cleanup and preparation jobs. Find out how to turn your grass-cutter into a resourceful and versatile gardening gizmo.
1. Leaf Shredding
Fallen leaves pile up fast in autumn. As a really productive lawn mower alternative, try this useful leaf cleanup trick. Run your mower over the leaves on a high setting to shred everything into small pieces. The fine bits break down quicker and make nutrient-rich mulch that feeds the soil.
Toss in some nice, rich compost if the leaves feel dry to balance things out. This mulch of yard trimmings and leaf clippings will suppress weeds and hold moisture around plants without much effort. Spread it thick under shrubs; it feels crumbly, but settles into a protective layer that lasts through winter. Rake the leaves into rows first if they're scattered wide – it makes the passes easier and catches more in one go. Dry leaves crunch under the blades, turning a chore into something satisfying.
Empty the bagger directly onto beds or paths. The shredded leaves feel lighter to spread than they would whole. Store extras in bags, like Durasack Heavy Duty Yard Bags from Amazon, for later use around perennials. It takes a bit to sort out damp batches, but the mower handles them without clogging if you go slow.
2. Compost Pre-Shredding
For coarser garden debris like thicker tomato stalks or problem vines, you can use a lawn mower to chop them down to size for the compost pile. Spent tomato vines or bean stalks go in whole and come out shredded. Lay them out flat first, as the mower slices through easier that way. The pieces heat up faster in the bin and decompose without clumping.
Mix the shredded bits with greens for balanced composting. It might feel stiff to lug heavy vines over, but the results are well worth it. A mulching blade like the Maxpower 21-Inch Universal Gold Metal Mower Blade from Amazon makes clean cuts every time. Compost turns richer, ready for spring planting sooner than usual.
3. Pine Needle Mulching
Pine needles work the same way: collect them under pine trees and then mow them to create an acidic mulch for blueberries, azaleas and other acid-loving plants. The needles may feel prickly at first, but they settle into a mat that lasts months. Run multiple passes if they're thick, and it breaks them down fine. Spread the mulch around acid-loving plants to hold soil pH steady and deters several pests.
It’s a good idea to take regular soil pH checks with a meter like the Raintrip 4-in-1 Soil Meter from Amazon to assess how well your mulch is doing, and make amendments as necessary. Empty the bag straight into bins; the smaller pieces integrate without poking out. The scent lingers a bit, adding to the garden's natural feel.
4. Winterizing the Lawn
The last mow of the season leaves grass clippings behind. Let them stay: the mower chops them fine. And if you mulch with grass clippings, they will recycle nitrogen back into the turf. This winterizes the lawn naturally, building healthier grass for spring. The clippings feel light, but pack serious nutrients once they decompose. Water lightly afterwards if the ground is dry, as it helps everything settle in.
Come warmer days, the grass greens up thicker without extra fertilizer. It’s a good idea to just test the soil pH occasionally, as clippings can shift it slightly over time. Spread your clippings evenly to avoid clumps that might smother important growth. This layer protects roots from frost, too. It takes a bit to adjust the height, but the mower does the rest. New growth pushes through strongly, with fewer bare patches.
5. Cover Crop Chopping
Cover crops like clover or rye protect bare soil over winter. If you haven’t already started some, grab a bag of Everwilde Farms 500 Crimson Clover Seeds from Walmart, which is a nice bumper supply at a bargain price. These crops develop fast, and give structure to bare soil. Once spent, you can use your mower to cut them down in bulk at speed, chopping down to distribute where they are needed.
The pieces mix into the earth easier before tilling or planting to help you recharge your soil. It takes a bit to walk the rows, but the mower handles it well. New beds come alive faster with this prep. The roots stay put and add organic matter deep down. Scatter seed over the chopped residue, and it acts like a starter mulch that boosts germination rates.
Rotate crops next season to keep the soil balanced and productive. The chopped material feels springy underfoot, like a natural carpet ready for new growth. Turn the mower deck up for thicker stands. The residue breaks down over several months, enriching the dirt without extra inputs.
6. Vacuuming Fine Debris
Fine debris like scattered straw or small twigs litters the yard after projects, and lawn mowers can help with yard waste removal. Attach the bagger and vacuum it all up with a slow pass. The mower sucks up the mess without scattering more. A bagger attachment like the American Lawn Mower Company Store Lawn Mower Grass Catcher from Amazon catches everything neatly.
The collected material goes right into a compost pile or mulch pile without extra handling. Clear the discharge chute between runs to avoid clogs from the damp stuff. It sorts out sticky bits that might otherwise jam things up. Dump the bag in one spot for easy transfer. It’s an efficient process, turning cleanup into a quick lap around the yard.
7. Garden Bed Prep
What can a lawn mower do to help you prep your garden beds, you may be wondering? You’d be surprised. For garden beds, you can set the mower deck high and chop surface weeds or leftover stalks. This preps the soil for seeds or transplants in minutes. The cut bits work as instant mulch that you can make yourself. Walk slowly over uneven ground, and the mower levels things out.
Rake the residue lightly if needed. A rake like the Vevor Landscape Lawn Care Rake from Amazon can help with leveling, clearing and grooming. New plants root better in the loosened top layer. It takes a bit to maneuver tight spaces, but the results show up fast.
8. Pathway Clearing
Narrow areas of paving and garden paths overgrown with tall weeds or grass need clearing, too. Mow along the borders to level them out. The cut material works as mulch right there. Define the edges first with string, as it keeps the lines straight.
The paths stay tidy longer with the clippings down. It feels solid underfoot once settled, reducing mud in rain. To set off that wonderfully tidy effect over the darker winter months, why not add some solar lights, like the Mancra Solar Pathway Lights for Walkways from Amazon?
9. Harvesting Nut Hulls
Fallen nuts like walnuts or pecans hull easier under the mower. Run over them carefully to separate shells. It’s a good idea to wear protection, too, as the hulls can fly about. Safety glasses like the Dewalt DPG82 Anti-Fog Safety Goggles from Amazon keep eyes safe from flying bits.
It might perhaps feel odd to use a mower for this, but the harvest certainly goes a lot quicker if you are doing big batches. The shells crack open cleanly, making nut gathering less of a backbreaker. Bag the hulls for disposal or spread them as mulch in areas away from paths to avoid slips. Also, clean the mower deck afterward as hulls can leave a residue that sticks. Collect in small batches to avoid overload. The mower handles the tough outer layers without dulling blades much.
Winter Lawn Mower & Lawn Essentials
Winter is no time to be resting on your laurels, as there are still ways to take care of your lawn mower and help your lawn get through the chillier times. Make sure you’ve checked and cleaned equipment before putting it in storage, and give turf a treat ahead of spring.
It's important to protect mower blades and the mower deck for the next few months. This aerosol helps you prevent rust and stop grass clippings from sticking. Apply to the underside of the mower deck, blades, cables, and all moving metal parts to prevent corrosion in a damp shed or garage.
Use this stiff bristle brush and scraper with a mild cleaning agent to clean the deck and cooling fins. This set won't scratch the paintwork and provides easy cleaning of the underneath of the mower deck, while the bristles are just the right amount of stiffness for removing stubborn clippings, residual mud and lingering residue.
Seaweed is a lovely addition to a lawn ahead of brutal seasonal weather and ensures better winter resilience. Just don’t use it if the ground is waterlogged or frozen. Otherwise, it can help grass fight stress in cold, wet months. Dilute with water and sprinkle over lawns for a safe, slow-release boost.
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