Modern Vespa

Our snow is finally, mostly gone, so time to clean up the yard. I've never liked raking and have used a Arnold de-thatcher (sp?) blade on my mower.
This year, switched to the new one that uses firm, thick nylon line in place of the metal spring tines. Package says "fits most mowers (Toro) so thought all was good. Anyway, the thatcher blade wasn't even close. I drilled six sets of two holes on my existing blade, shoved the nylon line through the holes (U-shaped with ends pointing down) and got my lawn done in record time. So, if you want to save a lot of work, drill three sets of two holes about an inch apart on each end of a old blade, insert the line and you'll have time for a couple of beers when you get done. Line was $5.00 at Menards for 12 pcs. Holes are 3/16" in diameter. If you have a bagging mower, you'll also pick up most of the dead grass and not have to go over it again. Just want to pass this along for anyone who might be interested.

Interesting. What was the diameter of the line and the cut length of the trimmer line used? .... Looking for something to pick up wet oak leafs with mower.

Pics or it didn't happen.

The line is .170 in diameter, square and requires a 3/16" inch hole. line is about 4" long. I would suggest you check your mower first. If the center of the blade is flat, the "as is" Arnold blade /de-thatcher unit is the way to go. My Toro uses a blade that is concave in the middle making it impossible to attach the Arnold flat one. Thus, I had to drill my own holes. Anyway this beats the the daylights out of raking by hand. Sorry, no pics!

Thanks for the info. I have a Honda commercial mower so I'll have to find a blade that works. The idea of using the trimmer line is cool. Can't use a spring type thatcher on our StAugustine grass down here.

Will let u know how it works out.

Cool mower setup.Winds been blowing leaves off my tree all winter. My problem is fricking clover. Taken over my yard and i can't stop it. Wet,rainy and damp winter.

Oh for the luck of the Irish. Just kidding, Judy.

Actually had the same clover issue down here, but probably not as bad as yours. The spray companies wanted a fortune to control it. Found an internet site that sells a selective herbicide for clover. I've used it the past couple of years with great results. Not cheap, but it's coverage is pretty decent and didn't harm my grass. Comes in 32 OZ container. I use a half an OZ for 1K SF of lawn. If interested, here's the link...

http://store.doyourownpestcontrol.com/lontrel-turf-ornamental-herbicide

Good luck! Bob

but worth it. I'm finding that the stuff i use burns the grass underneath. The grass grows back but it still has clover. Thanks so much. Lived here since '99 and never had this problem before. However this has been the rainiest and dampest winter so far.

Heh, we are actively trying to grow clover in our yard (have 4-5 different kinds)... Send your clover our way!

It is a good ground cover under our orchard trees and keeps weeds and grass from growing! Some of it is low growing and some of our clover is almost 2' high.

Disclaimer: we have 1/2 acre that is mostly flood irrigated off of an acequia ditch with a mix of fruit trees, raised beds, veggie rows and wild flowers. Have no intention of ever owning a mower in our lives if we can help it.

We also struggle with the 'raking' thing though -and essentially resign ourselves to doing it once in the fall after everything dies back and then a couple of times in the spring right before irrigation season starts.

Wow...looks great. I'm envious!

Unfortunately, down here our soil is mostly sand. If we don't have the yards completely covered with something deep rooted, our annual monsoons will move our property to the street. Judy, you too on the island?

Lots of yards though have had good success with artificial ground covers. Rocks, rubber mulch (no kidding), etc. But, we've got animals and have to keep them happy. Basically provide them with a big dog toilet.

Great job with your landscaping

You need some deer.



We're planting clover to attract them (deer), or to give them an alternative to the garden. Keeping it close to the woods should help.

PAP no deer on Oahu. Some of the other islands have them but none were introduced here. F my section of the yard has really good volcanic soil but the front condos have sand. Must have been a reef near me and a sandbar up front. Easy for me to grow things but not for them. I have Zoysia grass which usually keeps the weds at bay but not this year.u When we redid the border fence we broke 2 drill bits on the post hole driller and couldn't go down very far in parts. About half way up the fence line we hit pure sand. Deep holes and lots of quickcrete. Desi nice yard. I have a huge cactus in my yard Just over the mountain range is the desert section of the island and it seems we can grow cactus here as well. Need to get a pic. It's huge but will eventually fall over.