Friday, March 30, 2007

What's the deal with gas lawnmowers?

I'm constantly amazed at the number of people with tiny yards that go out and buy the most expensive self-propelled gas-powered lawnmower every few years. It must be a status symbol to show off to the neighbours, but really it looks ridiculous.

California Air Resources Board estimates that operating a gas-powered lawnmower for one hour emits as much air pollution as driving a car for 13 hours, and operating a gas weed-eater for an hour is the equivalent of driving for eight hours.

Not only do these contraptions spew noxious gases into the air, they're noisy, they take up a lot of storage room, they're a pain to maintain, and they're dangerous if your foot happens to slide into the blade.

What these people really should use is an old-fashioned push mower powered by the pusher! Sure, you may have to spend a bit more time cutting, but if you go over your lawn a couple of times in a criss-cross pattern, you'l have a nicely trimmed and mulched lawn, and you may even burn up a few hundred calories in the process!

I've used a push mower for the last ten years after my last gas mower died. I enjoy cutting my lawn so much now that I eagerly await the spring weather and fast lawn growth (after I fertilize and lime the lawn). It's great exercise, quiet, environmentally friendly and cheap! No gas to buy, oil to change, spark plugs or blades to replace.

When the reel blades get dull, I either sharpen them with a file, or eventually after a few years of use, just buy a new mower for about $100. Give it a try - you'll get hooked on it like I did!

Burns Bog Walking, Bike Trails

Alex Fraser Bridge seen from the Delta Nature Reserve in Burns Bog

The Delta Nature Reserve consists of 148 acres in the northeast corner of Burns Bog. This area is less than 2% of the total area of the Bog. It is the only part of Burns Bog that is protected. The Nature Reserve has three loops of boardwalks and trails for walking or biking.


burns bog delta bc
Delta Nature Reserve is accessible from the Great Pacific Forum parking lot near the Alex Fraser Bridge. There's a bunch of great trails and boardwalks through the forest with exotic plants and wildlife to enjoy. If you're really adventurous you can follow the trail beside the train tracks all the way to Watershed Park and then down to Delta Golf Course on the south side of No. 10 Highway. Great for biking or walking...

bulldozer stuck in Burns Bog Delta Nature Reserve